China’s embassy in Washington has announced that it will resume issuing visas to foreigners from March 15, following restrictions imposed since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. The updated policy will also enable visa-free travel for certain tourist groups arriving on cruise ships as well as for certain tourist groups from Hong Kong, Macau and ASEAN Regional Group countries.
The embassy notice said that new travel documents will be reviewed and approved and visas issued before March 28, 2020, which are still valid, will once again be allowed entry into China. While other countries have already begun to reopen international travel, China began to scale back its zero-Covid policies in late 2022 following protests against harsher restrictions.
In January, Chinese embassies suspended the issuance of new visas for South Koreans and Japanese, in what appeared to be retaliation for recent Covid-19 testing requirements imposed on travelers from China by those countries. Embassies in Tokyo and Seoul announced their suspension through online notices. The embassy in Seoul announced that the ban would remain in place until South Korea removed “discriminatory entry measures” imposed on China.
Several countries in Europe, North America and Asia have also suspended issuing visas due to concerns about a lack of information about the fast-spreading virus outbreak in China. However, China’s embassy in Tokyo said that the issuance of visas was suspended only for new applicants, with no information on those currently holding visas.
China’s move is motivated by their desire to ensure that their citizens are treated at par with other countries. This is because many countries, including the United States, require a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure from China or a test upon arrival at the airport, or sometimes both. The resumption of visa issuance and the implementation of the new travel policy are aimed at stimulating the country’s economy, which has been negatively affected by the pandemic, by attracting more business travelers and tourists.
frequently Asked question:
Q1: When will China start issuing visas to foreigners?
China’s embassy in Washington has announced that it will resume issuing visas to foreigners from March 15, following restrictions imposed since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.
Q2: Which countries can enjoy visa-free travel to China under the new policy?
The updated policy will enable visa-free travel to Shanghai, as well as Hong Kong, Macau and countries in the ASEAN regional grouping, for certain tourist groups arriving on cruise ships.