China's Hainan province has recently expanded visa-free travel for a variety of reasons beyond simple tourism. From now on, people wishing to travel to this region for specific businessand family visitsand medical treatmentsparticipate in exhibitions or sporting events will be able to enter the country visa-free for a period of up to 30 days.
However, foreigners wishing to work or study in Hainan province on a long-term basis will still need to be in possession of an appropriate visa. This announcement comes shortly after the relaxed entry requirements for travelers from many countries, including France.
The main reasons behind this decision are linked to Beijing's desire to further develop Hainan province as a key free port with Chinese characteristics.
Tourism: driving Hainan's economy
The island's economy is enjoying a revival, thanks in particular to the tourism sector, which attracts large numbers of visitors every year. More than 90 million people visited Hainan in 2023. The ultimate goal is to make the island the world's largest free port with an independent customs system by the end of the year.
List of 59 visa-exempt nationalities visiting Hainan for up to 30 days
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Luxembourg, Northern Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.
A stronger policy of openness to local development
As part of this strategy, the province encourages the establishment of foreign companies and the promotion of international investment. As a result, the Chinese authorities are witnessing a massive influx of tourists and investors to the region. This development is in line with the government's desire todeepen reforms and the opening up of the province, while developing a free trade port.
To support this growing economic and social openness, entry procedures have been reviewed and simplified. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announces that it will continue to work on these issues in order to innovate its immigration policies and adapt entry and exit procedures to the new requirements arising from the opening up of the country to a higher level.
Thanks to this new visa exemption policy, Hainan province is now even more attractive for those wishing to discover China's far south. Hainan is renowned for its heavenly beaches, tropical climate and unique wildlife, the ideal setting for a relaxing break or an efficient business trip.
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