China has recently announced a new visa-free entry policy for travelers entering the country via international cruises. According to the government, travelers can stay in select provinces in China for up to 15 days without a visa. This move comes as Beijing aims to boost its cruise and tourism industry. The regulations stipulate that foreigners must enter through one of the 13 coastal cruise ports in the country. Additionally, visitors are required to travel as part of a tour group of at least two people organized by a Chinese travel agency and depart the country on the same cruise.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China emphasized the importance of the new visa-free entry policy for foreign tourists taking cruises. In a statement, the NIA highlighted that this policy is a crucial step to accelerate the development of China’s cruise economy and promote institutional openness. The move reflects China’s commitment to opening up to the world and fostering better exchange between China and foreign countries.
In addition to the new visa-free entry policy for cruise travelers, China has expanded the list of eligible entry points under its existing visa-free transit policy. Seven new cruise ports have been added, bringing the total to 31. Visa-free transit allows citizens from certain countries to stay in China without a visa for up to 144 hours while transiting to another country. Notably, Norway was recently added to the list of countries eligible for visa-free transit to China, increasing the total to 54.
China has been making efforts to attract tourists back to the country since reopening its borders and restoring international flight routes. In December, China granted a temporary visa exemption for travel up to 15 days to citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Moreover, Beijing enacted a mutual visa exemption agreement with Singapore earlier this year. Companies like Alibaba-affiliate Ant Group have also been working to improve foreign tourists’ travel experience by allowing visitors to China to spend money through its Alipay mobile app without registering their ID with the company.
Despite the initiatives taken to boost tourism, China has faced challenges in attracting foreign travelers back to pre-pandemic levels. According to NIA data, the number of foreigners entering or leaving China in the first three months of this year has declined by over 40% compared to the same period in 2019. While domestic tourism in China has shown signs of recovery, the country is still striving to regain its position as a popular tourist destination for international travelers.
China’s new visa-free entry policy for cruise travelers is a significant development aimed at boosting the country’s cruise and tourism industry. By expanding the list of eligible entry points and implementing measures to attract more foreign tourists, China is demonstrating its commitment to opening up to the world and fostering better international exchange. Despite challenges in tourism recovery, China remains focused on enhancing the travel experience for visitors and revitalizing its tourism sector.