China announced an extension of visa-free entry procedures in November to include the citizens of 38 countries, including Japan. They can enter visa free for up to a month, in the latest effort to bring in more foreign tourists and support the economy.
Japanese citizens, including many with investments in China, had been allowed to visit mainland China visa free for up to 15 days from 2003 until 2020. Beijing cancelled the scheme that year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In another possible boost to China-bound tourism, the United States government relaxed its travel warning this week to “exercise increased caution”, down from “reconsider travel”. The US State Department issued the more severe warning last year over the “risk of wrongful detentions”.
A visa to China can take days to acquire, cost well over US$100 and require pages of paperwork. The red tape has deterred some foreigners from visiting the world’s second-largest economy as tourists or business travellers.
Here are five ways to get into China visa free:
1. Transit through Chinese cities (1-6 days)
Passport holders from 54 nations, including Australia, Japan, the US and countries throughout Europe, can stay nearly a week in certain areas of mainland China after entering via one of its international airports.
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