Editor's Note

Beijing will soon offer foreign travelers a 72-hour visa-free entry to boost local tourism and further open up the city, vice mayor Ding Xiangyang revealed Saturday.  More

 

Latest News: Beijing to offer 72-hour visa-free stay for foreign visitors in 2013

Beijing will start a 72-hour visa-free stay policy for citizens of 45 countries to boost tourism, municipal authorities said on December 5.

From January 1, 2013, tourists holding third country visas and plane tickets can apply for a transit without visa (TWOV) in the capital city at Beijing Capital International Airport, said Ji Lixia, assistant director of the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

 

Q&A

Foreigners will not need transit visas to transit through Beijing if the layover time is less than 72 hours, according to the new rule. Currently, foreign travelers who are transiting through Beijing are allowed a maximum stay of 24 hours and are not allowed to leave the airport area.

  1.  When will the new regulation be implemented?

Ding Xiangyang, the city's deputy mayor, told the Beijing News over the weekend that the new regulation has just been approved but did not say when it would be put into practice or which countries will be covered.

  2. Which cities are running visa-free entry policies in China?

For now, only a small number of cities including Shanghai adopt 48-hour visa-free entry policy and most of Chinese cities including Beijing promote 24-hour visa-free entry policy.

3. How to apply for Chinese transit visa?

If you want to stay for a short period while in in transit between two other countries, you have to apply for transit visa. More information

If you want to know more about Chinese visas, please view China Service Center.

Concerns and Benefits

Some people slammed the authorities for opening the door to more foreigners who may seek illegal immigration, residence and employment, against the background of several high-profile cases involving foreigners in China.

The Beijing News reported that experts estimated that the policy will inject some 4 billion yuan ($633.42 million) into the capital's economy every year.

Wei Xiang, a professor of tourism management at Beijing International Studies University, told the Global Times Sunday that the policy will not only boost the city's tourism industry, but also improve foreign trade in the future as China still has relatively tight visa requirements.

"It will be a good thing for Beijing, but it will also pose some challenges. For example, if someone is engaged in business activities during their 72 hours in the city, will that be allowed?" said Wei.

Comments

Visa-free policy opens door to wider opportunities
China apparently has a lot more to do. It should strengthen regulations while bringing in more law-abiding foreigners. The two are not incompatible.

"I welcome this policy, but I think it won't increase the number of travelers as the time is too short. Seven days would be better," ---------------James Grant, a student from the UK

Weibo comments

@爱萝卜的兔子Ly：Currently Beijing's traffic is already severe. If there were no more efficient and effective regulations in place, Beijing residents will be the ones hurting in the end.

@剑胆琴心RIC：For any city, three days of sightseeing is enough. A 72-hour visa-free period benefits the aircraft industry, and is a step for making Beijing into air transport hub. I hope Beijing could bring in more low-fare airlines and attract more travelers.

@张蕊-钢圈Jing永远追寻CP3的步伐: When will the government stop thinking only about short term interests? How will we deal with the traffic, protection of scenic spots and maintain public security?

@SummerDreamDay：I hope we keep an eye on the negative problems brought about by this 72-hour visa. China does not exclude others, but we should pay attention in case some people use this policy to act illegally. 

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