China has expandsed its visa-free policy for six countries, allowing visitors to stay up to 15 days without a visa: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.
The trial policy from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024 aims to boost travel, promote closer ties, and aid in the recovery of the Chinese tourism market.
A similar visa free policy already applies to Armenia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, The Maldives, Mauritius, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Suriname and the United Arab Emirates. Ireland is one of the countries where whose citizens can apply for a six-day entry permit to certain Chinese cities upon arrival at the port of entry under the 144-hour visa-free transit policy,
Data suggests a significant increase in visitor numbers, with Germany and Malaysia being among the top 10 sources of inbound tourism. Long-haul travel from Europe to China has also surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
