After three years of restrictions, China resumes issuing visas
After three years of strict restrictions, China will resume issuing “all types of visas”, including visas for tourism purposes, from Wednesday.
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AFP
China, the first country hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, suddenly closed its borders in March 2020 to all visa holders, including residence permit holders, fearing a new wave of contamination from abroad.
At the peak of the epidemic, many foreigners were unable to return after leaving China, while the number of international flights was drastically reduced by Chinese authorities.
However, relaxations were provided for the gradual resumption of business visas or family reunification. But trade between China and abroad has been severely limited for nearly three years, with all travelers required to be quarantined upon arrival in Chinese territory.
This symbolic move of Beijing’s “zero Covid” health policy was lifted in January, thanks to a gradual return to normal life in China. The suspension of tourist visas from 2020 is the last sign of this health policy.
Resumption of tourism
Starting Wednesday, China will resume issuing “all types of visas” for foreigners, according to an announcement by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chinese embassies in the US and France have posted similar notices online.
Visas issued before the borders were closed on March 28, 2020 and which have not yet expired are regaining validity to travel to China, the documents said. China will also restore the possibility of some visa-free entries, including those allowed to take on board passengers calling on the tourist island of Hainan (southern) or Shanghai.
The announcement comes a day after a crucial annual session of China’s parliament re-elected President Xi Jinping for a new five-year term – his third – as the country’s leader and appointed a new prime minister. Li Qiang warned on Monday that it would be difficult to achieve his country’s growth target of “around 5%” this year, which is already one of the weakest in decades.
China welcomed about 65.7 million international visitors in 2019, before shutting out the rest of the world, according to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization. From January, Chinese nationals can once again leave their country for tourism. During the pandemic, Chinese authorities suspended the issuance of passports, allowing travel only for compelling reasons.
AFP
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