China will implement a visa-free policy for the citizens of Portugal from Oct 15, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025, the Foreign Ministry announced on Sept 30.
The move means that nationals from the country are eligible to stay in China for up to 15 days for tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, and transit purposes without the need to apply for a visa.
Other countries that have been granted visa-free entry into China
* France
* Germany
* Italy
* the Netherlands
* Spain
* Switzerland
* Ireland
* Hungary
* Austria
* Belgium
* Luxembourg
* Poland
* Norway
* Slovenia (from Oct 15, 2024)
* Cyprus (from Oct 15, 2024)
* Greece (from Oct 15, 2024)
* Denmark (not confirmed when it will come into effect)
* ...
China Expands Visa-Free 15-Day Travel To Six Additional European Nationals From October 15, 2024
For years, China has offered visa-free transit travel in certain cities for 72 to 144 hours for nationals of 50 or so countries.
The country started offering 15-day visa-free travel to limited nationals in 2023. Sebastian entered the country using this new facility in December.
The limited-time visa-free travel was supposed to run out at the end of 2024, but the program has been extended through December 31, 2025 (read more here).
China has now decided to add Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia, five EU countries, to the Visa-free travel countries valid from October 15, 2024. China already added Norway in September.
There are now 18 European countries from which citizens can travel to China visa-free for up to 15 days:
Austria
Belgium
Cyprus
Denmark
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
Travelers with passports from Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand can also visit China under this same facility.
Beijing Daily
According to data released by multiple tourism platforms, during the
National Day holiday, the number of travel orders by foreign tourists to
China grew by around 60 percent year-on-year, and many Chinese cities
have become popular destinations.
We also noted that relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently rolled out facilitation measures for foreign travelers to China. Can I have your comment on that?
Mao Ning
The “China Travel” boom showcases China’s appeal and openness.We now enjoy comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 24 countries, offer visa-free entry policy for 16 countries, and extend 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 54 countries. It’s increasingly easier and more enjoyable for foreign tourists to visit China.
As far as I know,
Beijing unveiled the brochure titled “Welcome to Beijing: Essential Tips
for New Arrivals,” which offers a bird’s-eye view of all kinds of
services and information. Shanghai equipped its taxis and subway
stations with payment devices that accept foreign bankcards. Eight
cities including Chengdu and Xi’an launched new steps on a pilot basis
to make payment easier for foreigners in China.
China will open wider to the world and make cross-border travel easier. We welcome more foreign friends to visit China, enjoy the beautiful landscape and experience the charm of the country.
Source: China Foreign Ministry， https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202410/t20241008_11503873.html; https://loyaltylobby.com/2024/10/03/china-expands-visa-free-15-day-travel-to-six-additional-european-nationals-from-october-15-2024/
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