Resumption of Chinese visas today: what you need to know

As of today, March 15, 2023, China's visa entry policy has been readjusted. The Chinese Embassy in France announced the issuance of all types of visa, including tourist visas, and the easing of health formalities for travelers entering China.

These changes in China's visa entry policy are a boon for tour operators and foreign tourists who have been affected by restrictions on international travel since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism in China is a booming industry, with visitor numbers increasing every year. 150 million tourists visited China in 2019Tourism revenues reached 5.7 trillion yuan (917 billion US dollars).

As in the case of Thailand, China had tried to boost its domestic tourism during the crisis by offering attractive programs.

Here are the details of the new entry policy:

• People holding valid Chinese visas, including those issued before March 28, 2020, have access to entry into China.
• All types of visa are issued by Chinese embassies and consulates.
• The competent Chinese bodies are authorized to issue port visas on legal grounds.
• Visa exemptions are reinstated for :
  • Visits to Hainan Island
  • Arrival by cruise ship at Shanghai ports
  • Group tours for visitors from Hong Kong and Macau to Guangdong
  • Tours of Guangxi Province in Guilin for tourist groups from ASEAN countries.

In addition to the reopening of China's visa entry policies, the authorities have also relaxed health formalities for travellers. According to the announcement by the Chinese Embassy in France, travellers wishing to visit China from France will have to undergo a PCR test. or antigenic in the 48 hours prior to boarding. Covid-19 antigen self-tests are also acceptable, and information will still have to be transmitted via the dedicated website. These changes will help French travelers to plan their trip to China more easily and quickly.

Unfortunately, you still have to travel to fingerprinting at one of China's approved centers in order to obtain a classic visa. In France, only Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Strasbourg allow this. Chinese e-Visas, without fingerprinting, are expected to resume shortly.

There were concerns about the requirements before the pandemic, and many travelers avoided China because of this. However, China lifted its quarantine requirements on January 8.

• China

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