China has expanded its visa-free policy to six more European countries on a trial basis, namely Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday, reports Caixin. From March 14 to Nov. 30, ordinary passport holders from these countries will be able to enter China without a visa and stay for up to 15 days, according to a Thursday statement from the China Consular Affairs.
The policy is limited to people traveling for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes, the statement added.
China has been relaxing its visa policies since last year as it tries to boost inbound travel following the pandemic. In November, Beijing announced a one-year visa-free trial for visitors from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.