Recent policies to ease entry to China for international travellers

In the latest in a gradual softening of China’s entry requirements following the lifting of its Covid-era restrictions in early 2023, in January 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) formally implemented five measures to facilitate the arrival of foreign travellers in China.

1. Relaxed requirements for port visas (aka visa on arrival)

This measure will primarily help people who need to urgently travel to China for non-diplomatic reasons such as business, investment, family visits, or personal matters. Eligible individuals can now obtain a port visa directly from the visa authorities at ports of entry (which include both actual ports, airports and train stations) by presenting an invitation letter and other necessary documents. More details about documentation and post visa authorities can be found here.

2. Border inspection exemption for 24-hour visa-free transit

Entry and exit passengers who are transiting to a third country or region through any of the following nine airports with an international connecting ticket within 24 hours can directly transit without a visa and bypass border inspection procedures: Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Baoan International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, and Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.

3. Easier visa extension and renewal

For those already in China, visa extension and renewal has been made more accessible. If you are in the country for a short-term visit related to business, tourism, or family matters and have a valid reason to extend your stay, you may now apply for a visa extension at the nearest local Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit and Entry Administration, rather than the one where the company or person who invited you is located. For example, if your visa was issued in Shanghai but you are attending meetings in Beijing, you can apply for a visa extension in Beijing.

4. Multiple entry visas for foreigners already in China

Foreign nationals requiring multiple entries and exits from China for valid reasons (e.g., frequent international business meetings) can apply for a multiple-entry visa from the PSB in China.

5. Simplified documentation

Foreigners applying for visas to China will benefit from an eased documentation process. Those with records and data accessible through official information sharing mechanisms (e.g., business licenses, temporary residence registration) will no longer need to submit physical copies of these documents during the application process. China also recently simplified its visa application forms.

This follows a major announcement on 24 November 2023 that China would allow visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia for business and tourism for up to 15 days per entry, effective from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024. Following Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Davos, China also announced a visa-free entry policy for Irish and Swiss nationals, although a date for implementation has not been given. China and Singapore also recently signed an agreement on 30-day mutual visa-free entry for their citizens, which will come into effect on 9 February – Chinese New Year’s Eve.

There has been no indication of if or when UK visitors can expect some kind of visa-free entry, and the British government has made no specific comment on the announcement.

The ongoing developments in international relations and China’s broader strategy of economic integration and facilitation of global travel could potentially lead to future changes in visa policies for UK travellers. For now, business and other travellers from the UK must adhere to the existing visa application procedures.