China expands its transit visa scheme to more cities
The new cities include Chongqing, Xi’an and Ningbo
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
China has expanded the number of cities and regions in its transit visa scheme to 27, opening up the country further for stopovers.
From 1 December, residents of 53 countries can enter China via 27 ports for up to 144 hours, or six days, without arranging a visa in advance.
Tourists need to be transiting through China and have proof of onward travel to a third country, which includes Hong Kong and Macau.
The new border ports include Chongqing in southwest China, a modern city with the spiciest hotpot in the country; Xi’an in northwest China, known for the terracotta warriors; and Ningbo, which lies just south of Shanghai, reports state-owned media outlet Xinhua.
The policy of visa-free transit for up to six days already applies to a number of Chinese cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
The visa-free transit policy was first introduced by the government in 2013 in an effort to boost tourism, and allows travellers from 53 countries, including the UK, to stop over in the city for a set period of time without obtaining a Chinese visa.
The holiday island of Hainan, off the southern coast of China in the South China Sea, has a slightly different policy. It allows visa-free travel for Brits for up to 30 days.
For British residents, a China visa costs £85 for one entry into the country and involves a protracted process at a visa application centre, where fingerprints will also be taken.
Almost 600,000 British travellers visited mainland China in 2017.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments