China will again start issuing various visas to foreigners from Wednesday, announced the country's embassy in Washington.

The issuance of visas will bring a major ease to the travel restrictions which were enforced since the Covid-19 pandemic's outbreak.

This is the latest move taken by the Chinese authorities towards reopening the country to the outside world, as gradually Beijing breaks its strict zero-Covid strategy which had defined its pandemic response, till a few months ago.

In a notice, the embassy stated that along with the new travel documents being reviewed and approved, the visas which were issued before March 28, 2020, and still remain valid will be given entry into China.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-claims-covid-19-has-basically-ended-is-it-really-565282">China claims COVID-19 has 'basically' ended. Has it really?</a>

“The updated policy will also allow for the resumption of visa-free travel for those arriving in cruise ships to Shanghai, as well as for certain tourist groups from Hong Kong, Macau and countries within the ASEAN regional grouping,” the notice read.

In 2019, China welcomed 65.7 million international visitors, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation's data, before the coronavirus pandemic forced the country to seal its border from the rest of the world.

While many countries began welcoming international travellers and reopening their economies earlier, China started to emerge from its Covid containment policies in late 2022, after the country witnessed rare demonstrations against President Xi Jinping's signature zero-Covid strategy.

In December, China ended its mass testing, lifted lockdowns and stopped long quarantines, however, the sudden lift of strict Covid restrictions led to a spike in Covid cases.

WATCH | China: Covid-19 cases on the rise, WHO urges to share real-time data

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In late December, Beijing announced that the inbound travellers to the country would not be required to quarantine, however, then visa restrictions on foreigners remained in place.

Beijing, at the same time, said it would "continue to adjust its visa policy for foreigners visiting China in a scientific and dynamic manner in accordance with... the epidemic situation."

(With inputs from agencies)

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China will again start issuing various visas to foreigners from Wednesday, announced the country's embassy in Washington. The issuance of visas will bring a major ease to the travel restrictions which were enforced since the Covid-19 pandemic's outbreak.

China will again start issuing various visas to foreigners from Wednesday, announced the country's embassy in Washington. The issuance of visas will bring a major ease to the travel restrictions which were enforced since the Covid-19 pandemic's outbreak. This is the latest move taken by the Chinese authorities towards reopening the country to the outside world, as gradually Beijing breaks its strict zero-Covid strategy which had defined its pandemic response, till a few months ago. In a notice, the embassy stated that along with the new travel documents being reviewed and approved, the visas which were issued before March 28, 2020, and still remain valid will be given entry into China. ALSO READ | China claims COVID-19 has 'basically' ended. Has it really? “The updated policy will also allow for the resumption of visa-free travel for those arriving in cruise ships to Shanghai, as well as for certain tourist groups from Hong Kong, Macau and countries within the ASEAN regional grouping,” the notice read. In 2019, China welcomed 65.7 million international visitors, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation's data, before the coronavirus pandemic forced the country to seal its border from the rest of the world. While many countries began welcoming international travellers and reopening their economies earlier, China started to emerge from its Covid containment policies in late 2022, after the country witnessed rare demonstrations against President Xi Jinping's signature zero-Covid strategy. In December, China ended its mass testing, lifted lockdowns and stopped long quarantines, however, the sudden lift of strict Covid restrictions led to a spike in Covid cases. WATCH | China: Covid-19 cases on the rise, WHO urges to share real-time data In late December, Beijing announced that the inbound travellers to the country would not be required to quarantine, however, then visa restrictions on foreigners remained in place. Beijing, at the same time, said it would "continue to adjust its visa policy for foreigners visiting China in a scientific and dynamic manner in accordance with... the epidemic situation." (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China removes visa curbs on foreign travellers

Despite struggling with a nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases, China has lifted quarantine provisions for inbound travellers.&nbsp;On Sunday, the first section of passengers to arrive under the new rules landed at airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, CGTN news agency reported.

Also Read|&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/world/chinas-weibo-bans-1000-accounts-critical-of-govts-covid-policy-550296">China’s Weibo bans more than 1,000 accounts critical of govt’s Covid policy</a>

There were 387 flyers on the flights from Singapore and Toronto. However, no one was subjected to COVID-19 tests or earlier mandatory five-day quarantine after arrival.

The abrupt abandonment of China's 'Zero-Covid' policy gradually led to the lifting&nbsp;of the quarantine rules. After record-breaking protests in China over the strict measures, Beijing abolished the hardline strategy of compulsory quarantine, lockdown and regular testing.

Watch |&nbsp;China marks Lunar Year amid wave of Covid infections

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However, the blunt switch has exposed a large population of the country to the virus for the first time, leading to a new massive wave of infections caused by the new coronavirus variants. The rapidly spreading virus has caused a shortage of medicines, and resulted in overcrowding at&nbsp;hospitals and long queues at crematoriums.

China shut international borders nearly three years ago when the pandemic hit the country first. However, the desertion of Covid restrictions might be a time-out for many Chinese nationals.&nbsp;

But as China lifts its COVID-19 restrictions, many nations have imposed checks on travellers coming from China. They have shared concerns over the rapid increase in cases in China and the potential emergence of a new coronavirus variant. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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Despite struggling with a nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases, China has lifted quarantine provisions for inbound travellers. On Sunday, the first section of passengers to arrive under the new rules landed at airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, CGTN news agency reported.

Despite struggling with a nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases, China has lifted quarantine provisions for inbound travellers. On Sunday, the first section of passengers to arrive under the new rules landed at airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, CGTN news agency reported. Also Read| China’s Weibo bans more than 1,000 accounts critical of govt’s Covid policy There were 387 flyers on the flights from Singapore and Toronto. However, no one was subjected to COVID-19 tests or earlier mandatory five-day quarantine after arrival. The abrupt abandonment of China's 'Zero-Covid' policy gradually led to the lifting of the quarantine rules. After record-breaking protests in China over the strict measures, Beijing abolished the hardline strategy of compulsory quarantine, lockdown and regular testing. Watch | China marks Lunar Year amid wave of Covid infections However, the blunt switch has exposed a large population of the country to the virus for the first time, leading to a new massive wave of infections caused by the new coronavirus variants. The rapidly spreading virus has caused a shortage of medicines, and resulted in overcrowding at hospitals and long queues at crematoriums. China shut international borders nearly three years ago when the pandemic hit the country first. However, the desertion of Covid restrictions might be a time-out for many Chinese nationals. But as China lifts its COVID-19 restrictions, many nations have imposed checks on travellers coming from China. They have shared concerns over the rapid increase in cases in China and the potential emergence of a new coronavirus variant. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China lifts Covid restrictions on foreign travel, ends quarantine rule for inbound travellers

Saudi Arabia's cabinet has approved electronic visas for foreign visitors to attend sporting events and concerts, local media reported, as the world's top oil exporter tries to diversify its economy and open up its society.

The conservative Muslim country has previously restricted visas to resident workers, business travellers, and Muslim pilgrims who are given special visas to travel to holy sites.

Economic reforms pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aim to lift total tourism spending in the kingdom - by local citizens as well as foreigners - to $46.6 billion in 2020 from $27.9 billion in 2015, the government has said.

Plans to admit significant numbers of tourists from abroad have been discussed for years, only to be blocked by conservative opinion and bureaucracy.

"Embassies and consulates will be able to issue the visas within 24 hours of receiving a request," the daily Arab News reported on Saturday, citing a cabinet decision last week.

It did not specify when the visas would become available.

As part of Prince Mohammed's agenda, the kingdom has ended a nearly 40-year ban on cinemas, allowed music concerts, including performances by Western pop stars, and organised international sporting events.

However, dozens of activists, intellectuals and clerics have been arrested in an apparent bid to stamp out opposition to the crown prince, who has consolidated power including with a sweeping anti-corruption campaign.

Despite an international outcry over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the Saudi-led war in Yemen, some Westerners seized a unique opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia in December when the new visa system was implemented on a trial basis.

Saudi Arabia's cabinet has approved electronic visas for foreign visitors to attend sporting events and concerts, local media reported, as the world's top oil exporter tries to diversify its economy and open up its society.

Saudi Arabia's cabinet has approved electronic visas for foreign visitors to attend sporting events and concerts, local media reported, as the world's top oil exporter tries to diversify its economy and open up its society. The conservative Muslim country has previously restricted visas to resident workers, business travellers, and Muslim pilgrims who are given special visas to travel to holy sites. Economic reforms pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aim to lift total tourism spending in the kingdom - by local citizens as well as foreigners - to $46.6 billion in 2020 from $27.9 billion in 2015, the government has said. Plans to admit significant numbers of tourists from abroad have been discussed for years, only to be blocked by conservative opinion and bureaucracy. "Embassies and consulates will be able to issue the visas within 24 hours of receiving a request," the daily Arab News reported on Saturday, citing a cabinet decision last week. It did not specify when the visas would become available. As part of Prince Mohammed's agenda, the kingdom has ended a nearly 40-year ban on cinemas, allowed music concerts, including performances by Western pop stars, and organised international sporting events. However, dozens of activists, intellectuals and clerics have been arrested in an apparent bid to stamp out opposition to the crown prince, who has consolidated power including with a sweeping anti-corruption campaign. Despite an international outcry over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the Saudi-led war in Yemen, some Westerners seized a unique opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia in December when the new visa system was implemented on a trial basis.

Saudi Arabia's cabinet approves tourism visa for foreign travellers: Media

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