What does visa-free mean? to China
A visa is a measure taken by a sovereign state to safeguard its sovereignty, dignity, security and interests. A visa is an important means for a sovereign state to implement border management.
What does visa exemption mean?
A visa refers to the procedures required to allow them to enter or leave their own country or pass through their own borders, while a visa-free visa means that they can stay for 7 days to 6 months without applying for a visa from one country or region to another. Mutual visa exemption is usually bilateral, and both parties can enter and exit the other country freely with valid passports.
Why is visa-free? Visa-free is implemented to adapt to the continuous development of international relations and tourism in various countries, and to facilitate friendly exchanges between citizens of various countries. Therefore, by simplifying the visa system of the country, visa-free exchanges are realized. Citizens of certain other countries do not need to apply for visas when entering the country. This is because many countries have concluded mutual visa-free agreements, so visa-free is agreed and implemented by both countries. Even between European Community countries, citizens of a country can travel freely between countries only with their ID cards, without the need for passports and visas.
The benefits of visa-free: The biggest advantage of visa-free policy is convenience. Because the visa process is missing, the time and cost required for visa processing can be saved, and it is convenient for tourists to arrange their travel time better and more freely. In addition, the world's tourism countries unilaterally give this treatment to other countries in the world to promote the development of their tourism industry.
In 2014, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and other countries relaxed their visa application policies for Chinese citizens, including implementing visa-free visa-on-arrival policies, shortening visa processing time, simplifying visa processing procedures, lowering the threshold for visa processing, and extending the valid period of visas. According to Xinhua News Agency, nearly 90 countries have concluded various visa exemption agreements with China. At the same time, the news of the relaxation of Japan's visa policy and Indonesia's visa-free fee has been initially confirmed, and we are only waiting for the final issuance notice from the consulate.
In 2014, from August 6 to November 6, three months period, Chinese mainland and Taiwan tourists to Thailand visa fee-free. It is understood that the current Thai visa fee is 230 yuan. According to the border inspection agency, from 2015, Indonesia will be from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and Australia, including five countries visa fee-free, so as to attract more tourists from the above countries.
Visa-free landing visa
Visa exemption is the requirement for any entry permit, as long as it is approved by the immigration officer at the time of entry, it can travel freely in the country within a specified number of days. Mentioning visa exemption actually refers to "mutual visa exemption". Therefore, visa exemption is usually bilateral. In principle, both parties can enter and exit the other country freely with valid passports.
Visa on arrival is required to apply for a visa at the visa on arrival office at the airport of the destination country before entering the country. Most of them need to pay the visa fee, and only if they obtain a visa can they enter the country. In addition, generally there is a designated port for visa on arrival, and they must fly directly to the designated port. Visa on arrival is usually unilateral.
Usually, visa-free and visa-on-arrival means that you don't need to apply for a visa when you go abroad in theory, but there is a prerequisite for this, that is, "you can leave the country". Whether it is visa-free or visa-on-arrival, you need to bring enough travel expenses, e-ticket itinerary and hotel reservations to enter and leave the country smoothly.
In addition, it is particularly important to note that the visa on arrival is generally only implemented at the airport. That is to say, directly from the Chinese airport to the airport of the destination country. If it passes through seaports and land ports, the visa on arrival may not be implemented, depending on the specific regulations of the specific country. Since the visa on arrival procedures are handled directly at the airport, the general time is short, so the time is extremely convenient.
On January 28, 2014, the Beijing Border Inspection announced the biggest change of the Ministry of Public Security since the founding of the People's Republic of China, fully liberalizing the visa-free and visa-on-arrival exit of Chinese citizens. From now on, all countries that unilaterally grant visa-free and visa-on-arrival to our country will be able to directly release them. On November 25, 2014, according to the statistics of the tourism department, there are currently 37 countries and regions unilaterally granting visa-on-arrival treatment to Chinese citizens, and another 8 countries and regions unilaterally allow Chinese citizens to enter the country without visa. According to the Shanghai Border Inspection, Antigua and Barbuda has unilaterally granted visa-free treatment to Chinese citizens. As of December 1, 2014, the number of countries or regions that have implemented the visa-free visa-on-arrival policy for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports has reached 50.
Visa-free countries for China
The countries that offer visa-free access to China currently include Thailand, Nepal, South Korea, Russia, Andorra, Morocco, and other countries on multiple continents. In 2015, the Chinese government will further strive to achieve more visa-free access to China. Therefore, the countries that offer visa-free access to China in 2014 include:
First, Asian countries: mainly Thailand, Nepal, South Korea, Jamaica, and Bangladesh.
1. Thailand: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand announced on August 5, 2014 the implementation of visa exemption for China. To achieve visa exemption, in order to promote the recovery of Thailand's tourism industry, during the three-month period from August 6 to November 6, Chinese mainland and Taiwanese tourists can enter Thailand without visa fees.
2. Nepal: Nepal implemented visa on arrival for Chinese tourists in 2014 without charge. Same as visa exemption. The time you can stay in Nepal is generally 30 days. Visa exemption does not mean no visa application, and visa procedures are also required.
3. South Korea: The South Korean government announced in August last year that tourists entering from China and transferring to Jeju Island at the domestic airport in South Korea can stay near the airport for 72 hours without a visa. From September 15, the stay time in South Korea will be extended to 120 hours.
4. Jamaica and Bangladesh: The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated the Chinese Consular Service Network's "List of Countries and Regions Unilaterally and Conditional Allowing Chinese Citizens to Enter Visa-Free and Apply for Visa-on-Arrival" in August last year, saying that three new countries, including Jamaica and Bangladesh, have been added to the list of visa-free entry countries for Chinese citizens.
Second, European countries: mainly Andorra and Russia.
1. Andorra: Located between France and Spain, Andorra does not require a visa for Chinese tourists.
2. Russia (RUSSIA): Group visitors to Russia are allowed visa-free.
III. African countries: mainly Benin, Dominica, Egypt, and Morocco.
1. Benin (BENIN): Benin offers a three-month visa-free stay to China.
Dominica requires a visa-free stay of 21 days.
3. Egypt (EGYPT): Entering from the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula, entering Egypt from Sham El Sheik, Tabu or Sant Katherine airports, and not guaranteed to be outside the Sinai Peninsula, there is a 14-day visa-free treatment.
4. Morocco: On March 6, 2014, the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco on the Reciprocal Exemption of Visas for Persons Holding Diplomatic and Official Passports came into force. The agreement stipulates that citizens of one contracting party holding valid diplomatic and official passports of their own country who enter, exit or transit in the other contracting party and stay in Morocco for no more than 60 days are exempt from visas.
Americas: mainly Aruba, Turks and Caicos, Venezuela and the Bahamas.
ARUBA: Chinese tourists can stay in Aruba visa-free for 14 days.
2. TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS: Chinese tourists can stay in TURKS & CAICOS visa-free for 30 days.
3. Venezuela referral: The visa agreement between China and Venezuela came into force on January 8, 2014. The visa agreement between China and Venezuela stipulates that citizens of the People's Republic of China holding valid diplomatic, official or official passports and citizens of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela holding valid diplomatic or official passports shall enter, exit or transit in the other contracting party and stay in Venezuela for no more than 30 days without a visa.
4. The Bahamas: On December 19, 2013, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and China took another important step to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries by signing a mutual visa exemption agreement. On February 12, 2014, the visa exemption agreement between China and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas came into effect. This agreement allows holders of valid diplomatic passports, official passports, official passports, and private passports to stay in the Bahamas for 30 days for tourism, but not for work, study, or residence visa-free stays of 30 days.
Oceania countries: mainly the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Cook Islands (COOKISLANDS): Chinese nationals can stay in the Cook Islands visa-free for 31 days.
2. Solomon Islands (SOLOMONISLANDS): Chinese visitor permits are issued upon arrival and can stay in the Solomon Islands for three months.
3. Tuvalu (TUVALU): Chinese tourists can obtain a one-month tourist visa upon arrival in Tuvalu.
4. Vanuatu (VANUATU): Chinese tourists can stay in Vanuatu without a visa at the discretion of the local immigration inspection officer.
In addition, 37 countries and regions unilaterally grant "visa on arrival" treatment to citizens holding Chinese passports.
The difference between a passport and a visa
The difference between a visa and a passport is mainly reflected in the relationship between the two. A passport is a notebook, and a visa is attached to this notebook. A passport is equivalent to an ID card, and a visa is equivalent to a passport. The difference between a visa and a passport reflects the differences in the definition, function, and processing process of the two, specifically:
Different definitions
A passport is a legal document issued by a country to prove the nationality and identity of its citizens when they enter or leave its borders and travel or stay abroad.
2. A visa is an endorsement or stamp issued by the sovereign authority of a country on the passport or other travel documents held by its own or foreign citizens to indicate that they are allowed to enter or leave the country's borders or go through the procedures of the border, and it can also be said to be an endorsement-type certificate issued to them. Generally speaking, a visa is a document issued by the entry-exit administrative agency of a country (such as the immigration bureau or its embassies and consulates abroad) to express approval for entry to foreign citizens.
Different effects
1. Passports are required by nationals to demonstrate the sovereignty or government of the issuing country. Passports are related to a person's legal rights abroad and the right to acquire the nationality of a certain country. Passports usually contain the holder's photo, signature, date of birth, nationality, and other personal certificates.
2. A visa is a measure taken by a sovereign state to safeguard its sovereignty, dignity, security and interests. A visa is an important means for a sovereign state to implement border management.
The processing procedures are different.
1. The passport processing process is: taking a photo, receiving a watch, filling in a form, posting a photo, submitting a form, receiving a receipt, paying a fee, paying a fee receipt and receiving a certificate.
2. The visa processing process is to submit a valid passport, submit various documents related to the application, fill in and submit the visa application form, meet with the officials of the embassy or consulate of the country in the country, submit various visa application forms and necessary supporting materials to the embassy or consulate of the country, and notify the embassy or consulate of the country of the approval comment and pay the visa fee.
Fees vary
1. The fee for applying for a passport for the first time is 200 yuan, and the replacement passport is 400 yuan/copy; the addition and extension are 20 yuan/item. After the promulgation and implementation of the Passport Law, the extension of the passport has been cancelled, and the passport must be re-applied when it expires.
2. Visa fees vary from country to country, and can range from a few hundred to a thousand.
Different valid periods
1. Passport valid period: Ordinary passports used in China have a valid period of 10 years, and can be extended twice within 6 months before the expiration of the valid period, each time for 5 years.
2. Visa valid period: Generally, countries issue entry visas valid for 3 months, and some countries issue entry visas valid for 1 month.
