From December 1stWith the introduction of a new visa-free travel policy, nationals of six countries - including France🇫🇷, Allemagne🇩🇪, Italie🇮🇹, the NetherlandsBas🇳🇱, Espagne🇪🇸 and Malaisie🇲🇾 - will be able to visit China without needing a visa for stays of up to 15 days. The aim of this measure is to promote economic exchanges and tourism between these countries and China.
French Foreign Minister Christine Colonna made the announcement at an event marking 60 years since the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
French visitors to #China for less than 15 days will be exempt from visa requirements.
Excellent news announced during my visit by my counterpart Wang Yi! pic.twitter.com/O1KqeI0gq9
- Catherine Colonna (@MinColonna) November 24, 2023
Business and leisure travel
This visa exemption is valid for a variety of reasons, including travel forbusiness, THE tourismfamily visits and transits. It applies to passport holders ordinary considered valid by the Chinese authorities.
China and France have also agreed that Chinese students who have obtained a master's degree in France will be able to stay for a further 5 years.
Procedures for long stays and other reasons
If you wish to stay in China for more than 15 days, or if your visit does not correspond to the above-mentioned reasons, you must always submit a visa application to the relevant authorities.
Transit without visa
Until now, citizens of certain countries were allowed to travel to China without a visa as part of a "visa-free visit". transit of less than 144 hours. The new measure extends the possibilities for a larger number of European and Malaysian nationals. Transit visas are also available for nationals of some fifty other countries, including France. Valid for between 72 and 144 hours, this visa allows a limited stay within a specific city or area, provided the journey continues to another country.
EU Chamber of Commerce hopes to extend to other European countries
While this decision is hailed as a practical step forward in boosting business confidence and attracting foreign investment, the European Union Chamber of Commerce (EU) in China expressed the hope that more European nations would soon benefit visa-free access.
Positive spin-offs for the Chinese economy
This measure comes at a delicate economic time for China, which is seeking to revive its economy by attracting more foreign investment and boosting tourism. Visa exemptions for these 6 selected countries should help China to gradually recover its economy, while strengthening political and commercial ties with partner countries.
It is also important to note that this measure remains on test for one year (until November 30, 2024), as stated by the Chinese embassy in Paris.
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