China says it’s easier than ever for Americans to visit China

CNN
—

For years, Americans interested in visiting China have had to endure an exhaustive visa process that requires booking hotels and flights in advance and submitting an open-ended passport to an embassy or consulate. There wasn’t.

However, starting January 1, 2024, some of these restrictions will be lifted or relaxed, making it easier than ever for U.S. citizens to obtain a Chinese tourist visa.

Americans have the seventh most powerful passport in the world. This means there are a whopping 187 countries and territories that American citizens can visit without a visa or by getting a visa on arrival. The list includes Hong Kong and Taiwan, but not mainland China. .

Elsewhere in the region, U.S. passport holders can visit Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore on visa-free vacations of 30 to 90 days.

As a result, for many American travelers, China is considered “too difficult” to visit and ranks further down on their bucket list.

Americans who want to obtain a China Tourist Visa (L Visa) are now no longer required to submit proof of round-trip flight reservations, hotel reservations, organized itineraries, or invitations.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington announced newly relaxed guidelines on December 29, 2023, saying it wanted to “further promote people-to-people exchanges.”

State media Xinhua also reported that the Civil Aviation Administration of China plans to increase the number of direct flights between the two countries.

Sam Fleischman, a Pittsburgh-based education consultant, is planning a trip to China in April and said he is more interested in doing so now that some restrictions have been lifted.

“If I’m in one city for two weeks doing consulting, but have the opportunity to go to another city, it’s great to have the flexibility of not needing a return ticket,” says Fleischman. . “I think spontaneous travel is one of the most beautiful things about travel.”

On my next trip to Hong Kong, I’m considering spending a few days in Shanghai, thanks to its 6-day visa-free transit policy. Under this policy, citizens of 53 countries can enter and stay in designated cities and provinces in China without a visa, provided conditions are met. Must meet certain standards.

Americans are not the only ones who will benefit from China’s opening up.

In November, China announced a pilot program that would allow visitors from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to enter the country visa-free for 15 days.

Shortly after, China and Thailand announced their intention for a mutual visa waiver program, which China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said would “serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples.”

Visas have not been the only challenge the country has dealt with for Western tourists visiting China.

Last year, the country’s main digital payment systems, WeChat Pay and Alipay, were opened to users with non-Chinese credit cards and bank accounts, solving a major pain point for foreign travelers.

Since July last year, visitors have been able to link their Visa and Mastercard accounts to China’s most popular mobile payment platforms, allowing them to book taxis, ride the subway and pay almost cashless. You can now pay for goods and services at millions of stores across the country. However, fees may be added for large transactions.

What hasn’t eased the situation, however, is the US State Department’s guidance regarding visits to China. The report lists China as a Level 3, or “orange,” country, meaning “reconsider travel.”

“Reconsider traveling to mainland China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including those relating to exit bans, and unlawful detention,” the guidance reads.

China has imposed one of the world’s strictest lockdowns during the pandemic, hurting its economy. The impact of these policies is visible in last year’s economic slowdown and dire economic results.

“The impact of the coronavirus lockdown will be felt throughout the world in the sense that China was closed and isolated, and changing the rules will send a message that China is opening up again,” Hong Kong said. Benjamin Iaquinto, professor of tourism at the university, says: .

“The Chinese economy is not doing very well. And while this will probably help it regain momentum, there are also concerns about its international reputation,” he added.

But geopolitical tensions, including the “unstable” US-China relationship, mean these changes may not be permanent, according to Iaquinto.

“If there is some kind of explosion between the two countries, not necessarily a war, but some kind of political discussion, China might respond by reversing these changes,” he said.

Editor’s note: Sign up for CNN’s “while in china” newsletter. Explore what you need to know about the rise of China and its impact on the world.