China will issue all types of visas again from March 15

The Consular Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that "in order to further facilitate the movement of people between China and other states, it was decided from 00.00 on March 15, 2023 Beijing time to make the following adjustments to the visa policy and entry policy for foreign citizens arriving in China".

Moreover, starting tomorrow, it will be possible to enter China on non-expired visas that were issued before the suspension of the issuance of documents - on March 28, 2020. In addition, the institution located abroad, engaged in the issuance of such documents, will again resume the consideration and issuance of all types of visas for foreign citizens to enter China. Also, the institutions issuing visas in border areas will again consider and issue all types of border visas.

The policy of visa-free entry to Hainan Island and the policy of visa-free entry to Shanghai for cruise ship passengers is returning; visa-free entry to the southern province of Guangdong will be available again for groups of foreigners entering from Hong Kong and Macau, as well as visa-free travel for tourist groups from ASEAN countries to the city of Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Earlier, Chinese tourists again had the opportunity to visit Russian cities. The countries have renewed the agreement on visa-free group tourist trips, which was suspended during the Covid pandemic. Chinese citizens can stay in our country as part of tourist groups from 5 to 50 people without a visa for 15 days. It should be noted that experts do not see profit for Russian regions in tourists from China. According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, the tourist flow between the countries this year will recover by 30-40% of the pre-pandemic. But even this is not the main thing, but the fact that Chinese tourists practically do not leave money in the economy of the regions where they come. The fact is that Chinese companies serve them.