Soon, Another Category of People Can Enter China Visa-Free!
Source:OT-Team(S,J), Embassy Websites Starting from May 1st 2023, virtual APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders will be allowed to enter the Mainland of China with no need to apply for new visas.
Virtual APEC business travel card holders are still required to apply for Chinese visas during the transition period before the change becomes effective, and China will provide necessary facilitation in visa applications, according to what was told in the embassy websites.
Chinese embassies in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and other countries, as well as Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong S.A.R. have recently issued relevant notices.
Previously in August 2022, China had already allowed people with physical APEC Business Travel Cards to enter China, and relevant people do not need to re-apply for visas to China.
Other Long-Term Multiple-Entry Visas are Still Pending
In accordance with China's current policy, long-term multiple-entry visas issued before March 26, 2020 are remain suspended. Relevant visa holders would need to apply for new visas according to the general visa processing requirements if they need to go to China.
Regarding the suspension, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States responded in January, saying that a large number of long-term multiple-entry visas issued before March 26, 2020, which are still valid, are mainly tourism visas, that’s the main reason for the suspension. In the future, China will adjust relevant measures in a timely manner according to the development of the epidemic situation, and promote the gradual normalization of personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries.
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