China considers easing entry regulations

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it will actively improve the country's visa policy to create a more favorable environment for cross-border tourism. The announcement came a week after China's diplomatic institutions in more than ten countries, including the US, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand, abandoned online visa applications in favor of direct service to applicants. Under the new system, applicants must now visit the Chinese embassy in person to apply for a visa.

Upon arrival at the visa office, all applicants must pass through security, receive a waiting card and wait their turn. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that the changes introduced have already yielded positive results and the number of visas issued has increased. China has been actively improving its visa system since the beginning of this year. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the ministry is working with other government agencies to ensure the smooth arrival of foreigners in China and maintain the pursuit of high-quality development and openness.

Following the adoption of Class B infection control measures to combat Covid-19, the ministry has provided extended working hours for diplomatic missions, reduced the list of required documents for visa applications, increased the number of staff, issued multiple-entry visas where permitted, and temporarily exempted certain categories of applicants from fingerprinting. All these measures were taken to simplify and speed up the visa application process. In addition, green corridors have been introduced for groups who have important and urgent business or humanitarian matters to attend to. Currently, most of China's diplomatic missions offer such services.