Mutual 30-day visa-free program between China, S’pore to come into effect on Feb 9

Beijing has declared that a mutual 30-day visa-free access arrangement between China and Singapore would begin on February 9, 2024, the Chinese New Year.

Representatives from both countries initially discussed and signed the deal late last year. For tourism, business, or family visits, travelers possessing Chinese or Singaporean passports are permitted admission into the other nation for a maximum of 30 days without the need for a visa.

Those who want to stay longer than thirty days or who want to do activities like working or news reporting that need prior permission still need to apply for the appropriate visa.

Wu Xi, Director General of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke with CCTV, the state-owned media outlet in China, on the country’s initiatives to encourage foreign travel. She emphasized China’s commitment to openness and its willingness to accept visitors for a range of reasons.

China has signed reciprocal visa-free agreements with 157 nations, including a variety of passport types, and has loosened visa requirements with 44 other countries. In addition, China and Thailand struck a permanent visa-free agreement in January.

This information is being disclosed concurrently with a recent assessment by Fitch Ratings indicating that, mostly as a result of a weak recovery in the Chinese market, tourist arrivals to Singapore have dropped by 25% from pre-COVID levels.

Analysts at Nomura believe that removing the need for a visa will help Singapore’s integrated resorts, such Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

Original story by: IAG