China is to allow cruise tourists to visit the country for up to 15 days without a visa.
The National Immigration Administration said the new policy was effective from May 15. Visa-free entry will only be applicable for tour groups of two people or more who are organised or received by Chinese travel agencies.
The group must enter China together to be permitted to travel to coastal provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. Tour groups can enter through 13 ports, including Shanghai, Qingdao, Dalian and Haikou.
“The visa-free entry policy for foreign tour groups on cruise ships will provide policy support for the development of the cruise industry. It will also help attract more foreign tourists to China and provide more convenient channels for people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries,” said Mao Xu, senior official of the immigration administration.
This is part of China’s latest efforts to attract foreign tourists, which have been slow to return following the COVID pandemic. The country lifted visa requirements for some European and Asian countries earlier this year.
