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In a surprise move meant to further facilitate cross-border travel and closer communication ties, China has launched a unilateral visa-free policy for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia for business, leisure and transit purposes on a trial basis effective from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
On 24 November 2023, China announced that it would implement a trial policy of unilateral visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024 ("Trial Period"). Ordinary passport holders from those six countries who travel to China for business or tourism purposes or to visit friends or relatives, or who pass through China in transit, during the Trial Period will be granted visa-free entry for up to 15 days.
Key takeaways:
China's 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy is currently applicable to 54 countries. The main conditions to be satisfied for such entry are as follows: The applicant needs to be citizen of one of the countries eligible for 72/144-hour visa-free transit and hold an international travel document (valid for at least three months) proving the applicant's nationality and identity. The entry conditions of the third country/region to which the applicant is traveling need to be fulfilled as well. The applicant needs to hold a connecting ticket (or relevant proof) with a confirmed date and seat for travel to the third country/region within 72/144 hours, depending on the length of the period of visa-free transit applied for.
For more information, please contact tess.lumsdaine@bakermckenzie.com, jonathan.isaacs@bakermckenzie.com, lily.tian@bakermckenziefenxun.com or charmaine.ng@bakermckenzie.com.
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