Ten years ago, China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, which laid out a grand blueprint for connectivity and win-win cooperation for the world. Over the past 10 years, more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have joined the Belt and Road family.
Thai Prime Minister Saitha Thaksin (front row, right) greets Chinese tourists at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport on September 25, 2023. Since the 25th, Thailand has implemented a visa-free policy for Chinese tourists for about 5 months. Xinhua News Agency.
What is the current scope of visa-free travel between China and the Belt and Road countries in Asia?Which countries can travel between China and its citizens without visas on ordinary passports?
In this regard, the staff from the West Kowloon Border Inspection Station of the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station answered the questions.
Q: Is it understandable that mutual visa exemption means that you can travel to other countries without applying for a visa?
A: Yes. Mutual visa exemption is an agreement between two or more countries or regions that allows citizens of other countries to enter their own country without a visa for a certain period of time. For example, China and the Maldives are visa-free for ordinary passports, which means that no matter whether Chinese citizens travel to the Maldives with ordinary passports, or Maldivian citizens travel to and from China with ordinary passports, they can enter and exit without applying for a visa.
Q: At present, which Belt and Road Asian countries and China are exempt from visas for ordinary passports?
A: As of December 5, 2023, China and the following five Belt and Road countries are exempt from visas for ordinary passports
Kazakhstan. Chinese citizens can stay for 30 days after entering the country, with a maximum of 90 days for every 180 days, and are limited to tourism, visitation, commerce, medical treatment, and transit. Study, Xi, work and other affairs are not exempt from visas, and corresponding visas are still required.
U.A.E. Chinese citizens can stay for 30 days after entering the UAE, and are limited to visiting, visiting relatives, business, and transit. For study, Xi, work and other matters, you also need to apply for a corresponding visa.
Qatar, Maldives. Chinese citizens can stay for 30 days after entering the country, but if they need to work, study, Xi, settle or report on the news after entering the country, they also need to apply for a corresponding visa.
Armenia. Chinese citizens can stay for 30 days after entering the country, with a maximum of 90 days for every 180 days. However, if you need to work, study, Xi, settle or report on the news after entering the country, you also need to apply for a corresponding visa.
Q: In addition to mutual visa exemption, are there some of the countries in Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative that unilaterally allow Chinese citizens to enter the country without a visa?
A: Yes, at present, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Oman, Iran, and Jeju Island of South Korea unilaterally allow Chinese citizens to travel with ordinary passports, but the duration of stay after entering the above countries or regions is different. Among them, Georgia and Jeju Island in South Korea were on the 30th, Iran on the 21st, Uzbekistan on the 10th, and Oman on the 14th.
From September 25, 2023 to February 29, 2024, Thailand can enter China without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports or travel documents.
From December 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, Malaysia will implement visa-free entry for Chinese citizens for stays of up to 30 days. However, if you intend to stay for more than 30 days, you are still required to apply for a visa that matches the purpose of entry before entering the country, such as work, study and Xi, or if you intend to stay for more than 30 days. At the same time, from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, Malaysian citizens holding ordinary passports can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transiting for no more than 15 days.
Q: What should Chinese citizens who hold ordinary passports and travel abroad with mutual or unilateral visa exemption policies pay attention to?
Answer: There are 6 warm tips-
1) The visa policy between countries is constantly updated, if necessary, you can go to the relevant *** inquiry in time.
2) The type of visa exemption is closely related to the type of passport, that is to say, the visa exemption for private ordinary passports does not mean that other types of passports are visa-free, and everyone is reminded to verify clearly before departure.
3) Mutual visa exemption or unilateral visa exemption generally requires the applicant's ordinary passport to be valid for more than 6 months.
4) The general period of stay is calculated from the day of entry, please calculate the time of entry and exit, and do not overstay.
5) Malaysia requires Chinese citizens to prepare the following materials in advance when entering the country: first, show the printed MDAC (Malaysia Electronic Arrival Card) confirmation letter;The second is to present the paid hotel order in Malaysia that matches the number of days of stay;The third is to show the paid departure and return ticket;Fourth, to use English or Malay to receive inquiries from immigrants** about formation in Malaysia;Fifth, show proof of funds of 1,000 US dollars or equivalent in other foreign currencies.
6) Visa exemption and visa fee exemption are two different concepts. For example, from November 28, 2023 to March 31, 2024, Sri Lanka will implement free visas for tourists holding ordinary Chinese passports. A free visa is not the same as a visa-free, and everyone is reminded that you still need to apply for an e-visa before departure.
*: People's ** Overseas Edition).