release time:2024/2/1
On January 28th, China and Thailand signed an agreement on mutual exemption of visas for ordinary passport holders, which will officially take effect on March 1st. At that time, the phased unilateral visa free policy implemented by Thailand for Chinese tourists starting from September last year will officially become a long-term arrangement of "two-way travel".
Thailand is the third country this year to sign a visa free agreement with China, following Singapore, Antigua and Barbuda, which benefits ordinary passport holders. As of now, the number of countries with China that have such comprehensive visa exemption arrangements has increased to 23, covering five continents.
Two countries or regions that have signed visa free agreements can enjoy a visa free stay of usually 30 days in the other country or region as long as their citizens hold valid passports or international travel documents as stipulated in the agreement; But if the stay exceeds 30 days, or if you are studying, residing, working, etc. locally, you still need to apply to the visa authority or competent department of the other party before entering the country.
The scope of comprehensive visa exemption includes not only diplomatic passports, official passports, official ordinary passports, etc., but also ordinary passports.
With the implementation of visa free arrangements, overseas travelers do not need to make another trip to the embassy or consulate before traveling, do not need to prepare a variety of visa documents, and do not have to worry about when to issue a visa or whether they can catch up with the travel time. Outbound travel will be more convenient and trade exchanges will be smoother.
Mr. Chen, a Zhejiang businessman engaged in cross-border trade, said that upon learning of the news of visa exemption between China and Thailand, he immediately sent relevant news links to Thai clients. "They can come anytime they want in the future, making cooperation more convenient."
In fact, visa facilitation measures are not limited to comprehensive visa exemptions. At present, China has signed visa exemption agreements with 157 countries covering different types of passports, and simplified visa procedures agreements or arrangements with 44 countries. In addition, more than 60 countries and regions have provided Chinese citizens with visa free or visa on arrival convenience.
A series of visa facilitation measures undoubtedly bring China closer to other countries. At the same time, more and more countries are providing various forms of visa convenience for Chinese citizens.
The French government recently announced that holders of master's degrees in China who have studied in France can receive a 5-year visa; Switzerland will provide more visa convenience for Chinese citizens and Chinese enterprises investing in Switzerland; Ireland expresses its willingness to actively consider providing more convenience for Chinese citizens to visit Ireland and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Ireland
"Singapore is a developed economy and an international financial center in the world." Speaking of the visa exemption between China and Singapore, Qiao Lina, Director of the Shanghai Representative Office of Singapore's Lijie Law Firm, said that this conveys Singapore's strong confidence in China and sends a very important signal to other countries, especially Southeast Asian countries.
According to the World Tourism Barometer recently released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (now UNWTO), the number of international tourists will return to the level before the COVID-19 epidemic in 2024. The report predicts that the Chinese outbound and inbound tourism market will develop rapidly in 2024.
Since December last year, China has successively launched multiple visa optimization measures to further facilitate the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel: unilaterally implementing visa free policies for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia; Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have taken phased measures to reduce visa fees for visitors to China, charging 75% of the current fee standards; Formally implementing 5 measures to facilitate foreign personnel to come to China, further breaking through the barriers for foreign personnel to do business, study, travel, and other aspects in China
Data shows that in 2023, there were 424 million people entering and exiting China, an increase of 266.5% year-on-year, of which foreigners increased by 693.1% year-on-year.
The relevant person in charge of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that China's confidence and determination in promoting high-level opening-up to the outside world have never changed. China welcomes friends from all over the world to come to China for tourism, business, investment, and learning, and will continue to work hard to provide more convenience for Chinese citizens to leave the country.
The beauty of "go as you please", "come as you please", and "two-way travel" awaits you!
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