Starting in March 2023, China will again issue all types of visas to foreign tourists. The issuance of visas has been resumed for the first time in three years since the start of the pandemic. Here's how the country's tourism industry has recovered

From March 15, China will fully open its borders to foreigners for the first time in three years after the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The state will resume the procedure for reviewing and issuing all categories of visas to foreign citizens for entry into the country, including tourist visas.

How did China's tourism sector recover?

This measure was the last quarantine restriction in effect in China to protect against COVID-19. Last month, the Chinese authorities announced that they had completely overcome the disease. The first relaxations in the country's migration policy were approved on January 8, 2023, when citizens of the PRC were given back the right to issue visas and travel abroad, and foreigners with diplomatic, service visas, and category C visas were allowed to enter the country.

The opening of borders is expected to help the Chinese economy recover from the pandemic. The average annual revenue in the tourism sector is about 17 trillion dollars.

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Return of visa-free entry to China

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China reported that in the regions of the country where the visa-free regime operated before the pandemic, it will be returned. In particular, this rule applies to the tourist island of Hainan and cruise ships passing through the port of Shanghai.

The visa-free regime is also valid for foreigners from Hong Kong and Macau who are going to the business center of the country - Guangdong province.

Importantly! Tourists who have visas that were issued before March 28, 2020 and whose validity period has not yet expired will also be able to enter China.

The lifting of visa restrictions will allow foreigners to attend the largest events in China, including the China Development Forum in Beijing, the Shanghai Auto Show and the Asian Games, which are held once every four years.