China to resume issuing all types of visas for foreigners

After three years of travel ban, China will resume issuing all types of visas for foreigners, including the tourism visa, port visa, and multiple visa-exemption policies starting from March 15, 2023. It is the latest in a series of moves to reopen its border. Chinese state TV quoting the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry reported this on Tuesday. China had already done away with quarantine rules for inbound travellers on January 8, a major step toward reopening its borders after nearly three years of restrictions. The world’s second-largest economy abruptly moved away from its zero-Covid policy in December amid unprecedented protests about the severity of the restrictions. China cancelled all the visas in March 2020 after COVID-19 pandemic ripped Chinese cities and spread across the globe.

It says, foreigners with valid visas issued before March 28, 2020 will be allowed to enter China. The country will also resume visa-free entry for several places, including Hainan Island, Guangdong, Guilin and for cruise ships that stop in Shanghai. Many Chinese embassies have started issuing notifications to this effect. This is expected to boost the arrival of international tourists and increase the demand in the economy which has declined substantially during last three years of Zero COVID policy. China has also withdrawn the mandate to wear masks at the schools and universities.

Chinese airlines have ramped up to meet demand since the reopening, adding international routes after the government allowed the resumption of overseas group trips. Authorities also loosened Covid test requirements for travellers from a handful of countries including New Zealand, Russia and Malaysia from March. China still requires a negative COVID-19 test result done within 48 hours of travel from the travellers from India.