Entry to this country will be cheaper. Asian country lowers visa fees
2024 is a good time to travel to China. The Asian country, which attracts millions of tourists from all over the world, will reduce visa fees for visitors from several countries. They will pay up to 25%. less.
Some time ago we wrote that Arab countries would introduce something like an “Arab visa”, based on which it will be possible to enter several countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This will definitely make it easier to complete the formalities before going to this region. However, this is not the end of the good news for travelers. China intends to reduce visa fees for people from several countries. See what will change.
China lowers visa fees
Mainland China cuts visa fees by 25%. The change enters into force on December 11, 2023 and will be valid until December 31, 2024. The move announced on Friday is the latest idea from continental authorities to encourage travelers to visit the country when borders reopen in early 2023.
The new visa fees will range from HKD 230 (approx. PLN 118) to HKD 690 (approx. PLN 690), depending on the number of entries and the period for which the visa is issued.
“(…) The Chinese government has improved visa and entry policies for foreigners to facilitate cross-border travel. Temporarily, Chinese embassies and consulates will collect 75% from December 11, 2023 to December 31, 2024. existing visa fees,” said the spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Wenbin, at a press conference on Friday.
The changes apply to people traveling from several countries, including: from Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines or from Schengen countries, including Poland (here the fee will be PLN 195).
China visa prices
Travelers will pay HKD 230 for a single entry to China, HKD 350 for a double entry, HKD 460 for multiple entries (within 6 months), and HKD 690 for several entries for a year or more.
It is worth remembering that there are different fees for countries that have reciprocal visa fees with China and those that have bilateral agreements with the mainland. Under these rules, British passport holders will pay HKD 710 for all visas, Canadian citizens HKD 460 and US citizens HKD 1,100. The express service will cost all applicants HKD 180, while any traveler who needs urgent visa processing will have to pay an additional HKD 310.
Last month, mainland Chinese authorities announced they would allow citizens of six countries – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia – to enter the country without a visa for up to 15 days for transit, tourist, business and family visits. The easing of visa restrictions will apply until November 30, 2024. The National Immigration Administration also announced that Norwegian citizens can now transit through China without a visa for up to 144 hours.