China has rolled out a major update to its visa-free entry policy, granting citizens of nine additional countries visa-free access and extending the stay period for 29 nations, including Malaysia, from 15 days to 30 days.
In a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “In order to enhance our visa-free policies, we have included cultural exchanges as a valid reason for visa-free entry and extended the duration for 29 countries from the current 15 days to 30 days.”
According to the official list, the 29 countries currently enjoying a 15-day visa-free policy are primarily European nations, with Malaysia included.
The other 28 countries are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, New Zealand, Luxembourg, Poland, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Morocco, Greece, Slovenia, Slovakia, Cyprus, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Australia, South Korea, and Brunei.
The newly added countries eligible for this policy include Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan.
This policy will apply to ordinary passport holders from these 38 countries between November 30, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
According to Lin Jian, travellers from the 38 countries under this policy, including Malaysia, can visit China for up to 30 days without needing a visa. This applies to visits for business, tourism, family gatherings, cultural exchanges, or transit.
This policy shift underscores China’s commitment to strengthening international ties and making travel more convenient for global citizens. Malaysians can now look forward to longer, hassle-free stays in China.
The notice serves as a confirmation of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s announcement during his visit to China in May this year upon the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
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