China Offers 15 Days Visa-Free Entry To Australians

whyisave on 18/06/2024 - 09:58
Last edited 18/06/2024 - 10:00

Australian tourists will enjoy 15 days visa-free entry to China, while business people will be able to receive multiple entry visas, as the two leaders pledged to strengthen the free trade agreement.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-17/beijing-offers-visa-f…

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/leaders-hold-candid-tal…

In an attempt to encourage people-to-people links, Mr Li said Australia would be included in China’s visa waiver program. Details were unavailable, but it is understood to be similar to what Mr Li announced for New Zealanders, where tourists would be able to travel to China for up to 15 days without requiring a visa.

The leaders also announced the two countries would implement reciprocal access to multi-entry visas of up to three to five years for business, tourism and visiting family members.

Travel

Comments

              • UFO on 21/06/2024 - 16:52
                -4

                @greatlamp: What hostilities is the USA doing in the South China Sea?

                That's ALL China. They are the ones breaking international law and claiming everything that they have no business claiming.

                THEY are the ones provoking war, not the US.

                • TightAl on 21/06/2024 - 17:39
                  +3

                  @UFO: You better go enlist, you're patriotism is wasted on ozbargain.
                  Better yet, fly out to Ukraine and help the mericans out there.

                • greatlamp on 21/06/2024 - 18:05

                  @UFO: I don't think you understand what I am saying. The USA is responding now, it will escalate.

                  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64479712

                  Look up the Chips Act and what has happened since.

                  You are blind to the USA's actions because our local media is biased.

                  War starts because both sides provoke it.

                • May4th on 21/06/2024 - 23:35
                  +2

                  @UFO:

                  What hostilities is the USA doing in the South China Sea?

                  ah the skynews is strong in this one

          • Kamsi on 22/06/2024 - 17:53

            @R4: m8 your in wrong forum than, Ozb is not for you :)

  • Sazza1 on 20/06/2024 - 14:39
    +8

    This is great news. I went to China in April this year and was shocked at how much things have improved since the last time I went in 2014. It's very high tech, safe and clean now but the prices are very cheap so I felt like I got good bang for buck. Not having to worry about a visa will surely incentivise me to go again.

  • GuitarXXX on 20/06/2024 - 15:00
    +9

    China has big changes every 5 years in their cities and it's one of the most friendly and safest countries as long as you don't get involved in political stuff.

    I worked their for 5 years+ and would recommend.

  • Blargman2001 on 20/06/2024 - 15:08
    +1

    Nice place to visit if you don't mind huge crowds.

    • Sazza1 on 20/06/2024 - 15:16
      +1

      Huge crowds can definitely be a problem especially at the most famous tourist sites or during peak season (Chinese public holidays and school holidays). When I went to Yunnan in April it was off-peak and a lot of places were quite empty and accommodation was dirt cheap. But a few top sites were still crowded with tour groups.

      • whyisave on 20/06/2024 - 16:16

        When I went to Yunnan

        How was that area / state to visit ?
        Any notable places?
        Did you enjoy their glass-noodles ?
        Did you see more ethnic minorities there?

        I'm yet to visit that part of China.

        • Sazza1 on 20/06/2024 - 17:02
          +4

          It was really amazing to visit. I spent two weeks there and went to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-la including a 2D1N hike in Tiger Leaping Gorge. I roughly followed this itinerary: https://thetravelintern.com/china-yunnan-itinerary-kunming-d…

          Highlights for me were probably the 2D1N hike and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain + Blue Moon Valley which is doable as a day trip from Lijiang.

          I met quite a few ethnic minorities and tried their food. A lot of them seem to work as drivers/tour guides, whereas the guesthouses and tourist-trap restaurants are run by Han Chinese from other provinces.

          • whyisave on 20/06/2024 - 17:53

            @Sazza1: Excellent.

            Thanks for this feedback :-)

            • Sazza1 on 20/06/2024 - 19:25
              +1

              @whyisave: No worries. Happy for you to PM me if you have any specific questions.

      • Blargman2001 on 21/06/2024 - 01:27
        +1

        I went there during the Labour Day holiday. I thought I could just rock up to the train station and get a ticket from Tianjin to Beijing. I had to wait 6hrs for a seat to be available on a service that runs every 15 minutes.

        • Sazza1 on 21/06/2024 - 08:00
          +1

          Rookie mistake haha, never travel in China during their public holiday if you can avoid it.

    • R4 on 20/06/2024 - 16:21

      and mental traffic

  • ribze1 on 20/06/2024 - 18:28
    +14

    Albo, Wong and the Government have done a great job undoing the damage of the LNP.

    • whyisave on 20/06/2024 - 18:29
      -5

      Well, it was a natural response to why a lab was leaking a virus that affected the whole world.

      PM Scott Morrison pushed for Australia to investigate the 'cause' and this annoyed China.

      • ribze1 on 20/06/2024 - 21:04
        +10

        It didn't achieve anything though, but cost us billions in exports. The anti-Chinese rhetoric from the LNP also stoked racism and prejudice at Chinese-Australians.

        If Scomo and Dutton really wanted to walk the walk instead of just talking tough then they would have put tariffs on iron ore exports. Or even banned Chinese citizens from buying Australian property.

        • neonlight on 21/06/2024 - 08:02
          +1

          Our relations with China only got better due to labour government. Otherwise our economy could be worse. Morrison was an idiot. Stop being the US lapdog think for ourselves.

          The same reason Dutton is disliked

        • MessyG on 23/06/2024 - 13:11

          Right, all they did was just feed the media so the public would lap it up. They can still pay x million dollars into the country for instant PR. They can still build a ton of new property and landbank it for years. LNP made no changes to this whatsoever. Labor has tightened it up a bit but they could go further.

          (And personally nothing against Chinese people - just governments that wave the anti-Chinese flag as a distraction while letting them buy up farms, land, housing, and water and pocketing the money down the line).

          • ribze1 on 23/06/2024 - 13:24
            +1

            @MessyG: Spot on, and builds on my point.

      • May4th on 20/06/2024 - 21:05
        +8

        you mean LNP started barking like the good lapdog it is at the direction of its yankee master to score political points on the world stage at the detriment of its own national interest? I always look to the kiwis as having a good balance of foreign policy, look after its own without compromising on their pronciples

        it achieved absolutely nothing and in fact was such an own goal it got their best talent and best future centrist PM candidate tossed out of his own electorate and now we're stuck with the right wing mad monk as the next most likely PM of australia

  • Dack Smith on 20/06/2024 - 19:33
    +6

    It’s a fantastic country to visit, especially for Australians - almost 100% of things you use, buy and love are from China.

    Australians also love Chinese food and culture

    It’s a good opportunity to travel and learn for many people.

    • Poor Ass on 20/06/2024 - 20:09
      +2

      China number 1?

      • CalmLemons on 21/06/2024 - 01:05
        +1

        ROFL

      • whyisave on 21/06/2024 - 14:24
        +1

        Imagine the souvenirs:

        CH1NA

    • Eeples on 21/06/2024 - 21:55

      Lots of raw egg and offal. But, I managed.

  • unfinishedsentenc on 20/06/2024 - 22:41
    +2

    If I want to stay for 30 days, is it possible to fly to Hong Kong after my 15 days are up, then re-enter China again?

    • whyisave on 20/06/2024 - 22:54
      +2

      The 15-day Visa-free travel conditions have not been made public,
      so no one knows how it will be implemented, or when this is even starting.

      Currently, there is a 7-day transit Visa, that if your plane ticket allowed 2x 7-day transit stops in China,
      in both directions of your flights, technically, you could end up with a 14+ day holiday in China,
      via the transit visa on-arrival system.

    • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 00:39

      Usually yes but depending where you are you might be able to walk over the border from HK to Shenzhen

    • neonlight on 21/06/2024 - 07:51
      -1

      I don't think so. Because Hong Kong is part of China. The special administrative region is a city not country. Although visa free is already in place for Hong Kong. However if it's a entire different country then they can't say no unless they put in more conditions

      So one way to do it is go to other countries nearby then come back such as Korea and Japan. Don't try Taiwan might not work and could get questioned due to current situation and politics

      However they haven't disclosed the fine details such as after the free 15 days, you can re-enter the country again within a period of time. That is the condition I feel they will impose. My gut feeling they will do this.

      Something like you cannot re-enter within 3 months after the 15 days free.

      Therefore you still need a Visa for anything more than 15 days and if you decide to exit and enter China again, you will need multi entry visa. I bet that will happen

      Nothing is free mate

      Knowing China they always impose restrictions

      • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 09:27

        we'll just have to see

        my bet is you can go HK or Macau and go back to get another 14 days but yes they could do that 3m no free re-entry thing as you suggested

        reason why I say that is because you still need clear immigration when going from China to HK or Macau and vice versa even though both SAR are puppets

    • Kamsi on 22/06/2024 - 18:04

      Wow I can't believe someone thought of this, it won't be 30 days it could be indefinite free :)

  • DMFD on 20/06/2024 - 23:02
    +1

    15 days free, a life time to escape.

  • Blahness on 20/06/2024 - 23:51
    +7

    China is a wonderful country to visit. So many spectacular locations and the people are lovely. Try visiting smaller cities and natural sites. Been there 3 times. The old adage, the government is not necessarily the people.

    • TightAl on 21/06/2024 - 08:47
      +5

      Nothing wrong with the gov in my eyes, they spend on infrastructure, literally pulled the citizens from the dark ages.
      We can't even build a train line to the airport in melb, every road needs to be evaluated for tolls before breaking ground.
      Health system struggling, everything being outsourced for the worst. City becoming a tent city.

      • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 09:32
        +2

        I would still agree Australia's Medicare / national health care / health system is much more superior to China

        • TightAl on 21/06/2024 - 10:00
          +2

          They're a developing country with a 1B people, that's a given.

          • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 10:03
            -1

            @TightAl: don't think it'll reach free national health care status ever

            • May4th on 21/06/2024 - 10:09
              +1

              @Poor Ass: good and bad. in the big cities, standard of care in big hospitals, is probably on par with ours, if you are reasonably well off. rural, good luck really, you'd have to travel to a big city to get any semblance of healthcare. we have much better safetynet in rural / remote regions despite how short of doctors we are, with retrival and outreach services. they have american style obamacare where you pay our equivalent of "medicare levy'' and get a % rebated with hospital outpatient/inpatient services.
              one thing that is superior is access to specialist healthcare you literally go in to a big hospital and get an outpatient subspeciality appointment on the day quicker than getting into a lot of GPs here, and cost is insignificant relatively. compared to here with elective procedures and waiting months to see a specialist with the few hundred dollars they charge you is a big difference.

              • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 10:18
                -1

                @May4th:

                if you are reasonably well off.

                haha yep it's all about $$$$$ in China

                Most people don't understand that the the socialist aspects in Australia are far more than China… nothing too C about the CCP

                • May4th on 21/06/2024 - 10:31

                  @Poor Ass: yep the rich live like kings and queens whereas a Poor Ass wouldn't do very well. very American

                  • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 10:57

                    @May4th: Broke ass is different to Poor Ass

                    Poor Ass is poor compared to Gates and Buffet but not broke

        • Kamsi on 22/06/2024 - 18:10
          +2

          Health care in Australia is pretty shit compares in China. You go to see a doctor, you don't need to make a appointment and you get all your blood works done on the same day and get reports on that day and best part you get to see the doctor at the same day.

          • Poor Ass on 22/06/2024 - 20:05

            @Kamsi: Yes but then again you would know about the antibiotic resistance epidemic right?

            Quite hilarious how you get fed on to IV drips straight away too

            • Kamsi on 22/06/2024 - 20:46
              +1

              @Poor Ass: Gees if you worry about that than China is definitely not for you. But I do like the idea getting my result on the same day and not have to wait for a couple weeks to see the doctor.

              • Poor Ass on 22/06/2024 - 22:26

                @Kamsi:

                But I do like the idea getting my result on the same day and not have to wait for a couple weeks to see the doctor.

                Depends on the test also depends on the $$. Hopefully all the old school drs that had no idea what they are doing are all retired by now

                But being on the strongest antibiotics isn't good

      • scotty on 21/06/2024 - 12:01

        China would be out of the dark ages way earlier if not for the CCP government. China joined WTO in 2001 and kept a blind eye on the private enterprise — and the nation booms. However Chinese cities and states are basically bankrupting themselves right now from over spending on unnecessary infrastructure, and not able to recoup the cost from falling property price / land sale.

        • TightAl on 21/06/2024 - 17:42
          +1

          They can just print money like America, what's the problem?
          Unnecessary infrastructure - like unprofitable? Lol incredible logic

      • smartazz104 on 24/06/2024 - 08:21
        -1

        We can't even build a train line to the airport in melb

        We don't have 10,000 workers whose lives are worth very little to spare though…

        • b724d0de on 24/06/2024 - 14:15

          yeah right because the kind of hsr that travels at 350km/h can be designed, built and maintained by slave labours. this kind of infrastructure requires a large amount of well educated engineers, not your cotton pickers

  • xiuhan83 on 21/06/2024 - 04:45

    can you extend the 15 days visa free while in China?

    • salin on 21/06/2024 - 21:25
      +1

      I think It is easier by going to Hongkong and re-enter China mainland.

  • jaimex2 on 21/06/2024 - 07:25
    -3

    Can we visit the concentration camps?

    • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 09:33
      +2

      Just do something political out west and I'm sure they can accommodate you

    • GuitarXXX on 21/06/2024 - 09:52

      Yeah sure, but you probably need visas to visit these US military bases?

    • TightAl on 21/06/2024 - 10:02

      Goodluck finding them :)
      They're probably like what we got out in Alice Springs!

      • jaimex2 on 21/06/2024 - 14:01

        Those are all long closed down. We outsource our crimes against humanity here.

    • salin on 21/06/2024 - 21:25
      +1

      you can see how brainwashed you are

      • jaimex2 on 22/06/2024 - 07:32

        That is actually hilarious given the context

    • MessyG on 23/06/2024 - 20:00

      Oh you mean the factories that make every electronic device you use today?

  • neonlight on 21/06/2024 - 07:49

    It hasn't been formally processed by customs then it means nothing

    • Poor Ass on 21/06/2024 - 09:34

      hahaha yeah politicians all snakes

      • neonlight on 21/06/2024 - 13:35
        +1

        Just news flash for bonus points. Nothing else

  • t0087669 on 21/06/2024 - 16:27

    which city to go to visit the reps factories?

  • Willy Beamish on 21/06/2024 - 16:55
    -1

    How about letting people own property in china? No? We can't? Then why are they allowed to buy up as much of Australia as our politicians will let them get their hands on, corrupt AF.

    • whyisave on 21/06/2024 - 17:21

      Then why are they…

      Are you hoping your question will be answered by the people you may have voted for, because they lurk OzB Forums?

    • TightAl on 21/06/2024 - 18:51
      -1

      You're probably too poor to afford property in China, it's the only reason one would come to this conclusion.

    • salin on 21/06/2024 - 21:27

      You can go find it out. having a working visa and staying for a year is generally ok to do so.

    • HangryCakeStore on 22/06/2024 - 05:14

      Isn’t Australia politics too whitewashed anyways?

    • smartazz104 on 24/06/2024 - 08:22

      How about letting people own property in china?

      Why would you want property in China?

  • bcYield on 22/06/2024 - 00:42

    Perfectly stack with those China tour deals. Save more so yeah.

  • Aerith-Waifu on 22/06/2024 - 02:21
    +7

    I highly recommend Guilin, its a beautiful smaller city. We stayed 6 days there and there are so much to see. Xian I have not been yet. One day……..one day!

    • whyisave on 22/06/2024 - 09:42
      +1

      Guilin to Yangshuo, on the Li River, is a highlight!

    • GuitarXXX on 24/06/2024 - 14:43

      +1.

      I visited them for a 5 days trip, and the beautiful scenes were like coming out from a paint.

  • Ricktheroller on 22/06/2024 - 09:40

    As a prior traveller it'd feel odd not telling the government where I'll be at every moment of every day. Would certainly make travel far easier.

  • HangryCakeStore on 22/06/2024 - 11:33
    +2

    The bogus comments in here is probably the only real danger here putting us at risk because their racist opinions get out to Chinese people viewing aussies as hateful and dumb as USA pigs

    • whyisave on 22/06/2024 - 12:12

      What if those "unsavoury" opinions are planted here by American or Chinese bots?

      • May4th on 22/06/2024 - 12:47
        +3

        they absolutely exist, but mostly I hear a lot of bot talk from people who have an overvalued sense of self importance, or paranoia.. as if an australian online bargain platform is high value target for CCP bots

        • whyisave on 22/06/2024 - 16:35

          an australian online bargain platform

          It's a high traffic website and one of most visited websites in Australia (In Top 20. Number 16?)

  • EnALup on 22/06/2024 - 14:19
    +2

    Its a good news. Always wanted to visit China's megacities and regional areas during transit.

  • WildZero on 23/06/2024 - 13:10
    -1

    Probably consider taking a burner phone not logged into any accounts with you on that holiday instead

    • whyisave on 23/06/2024 - 17:36

      That's a given, going to the USA even.

      The USA asks your social media accounts on the immigration form.
      Then, has a clause that if you say "no" and if they ever find that you do,
      then that's a legal breach, blah blah.

  • daft009 on 23/06/2024 - 20:06
    +2

    10 day trip to Shenzhen woohoo

    • TightAl on 24/06/2024 - 02:53

      what to do there for 10 days? srs question

      • daft009 on 24/06/2024 - 04:54
        +2

        I went in 2018.

        Search YouTube for Shenzhen electronics market
        Consumer tech and electronics

        I also visited actual factories that made mobile phones, USB cables, guitar amps and Bluetooth speakers, packing boxes, PCBs production etc

        • whyisave on 24/06/2024 - 23:01

          Shenzhen electronics market

          How would you consider the prices there, than what's on AliExpress (before GST) ?

          I went 20 years ago, and spent a very brief afternoon in the vicinity.

          • daft009 on 25/06/2024 - 06:50
            +1

            @whyisave: about 10-20% cheaper in person back in 2018.
            also as we were in a group managed to negotiate a bit more on the spot for "volume"

            I was also buying some simple components etc
            we stayed right in Huaqiang so multiple trips a day to the markets lol

      • MessyG on 24/06/2024 - 09:24
        +2

        Eat. Sleep. Eat more.

  • fitr on 24/06/2024 - 10:06

    The deal is not yet alive anyway

  • Davo1111 on 24/06/2024 - 15:29
    +1

    15 days…. Lol

    • BoltThrower on 24/06/2024 - 15:33

      Yep, I'm planning a month in Shenzhen. 2 weeks isn't enough.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 26/06/2024 - 09:48

    oh cool I can go try all that gutter oil stuff I keep seeing on youtube.

  • robertjajajja on 26/06/2024 - 17:42
    +3

    Dates confirmed: from 1st July 2024 to 31 December 2025.

    Apparently there are no restrictions on how many times can someone get in. Also no restrictions on travel mode.

    One thing worth noting is “ It is encouraged to take necessary supportive documents with you on entering China, such as the invitation letter, flight tickets and hotel reservation letter, which will help to verify your purpose of visit.”

    See the Chinese embassy notice:

    http://au.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/tzgg/202406/t20240626_114…

    Also FAQs for the visa-free access:

    http://au.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw_12/notice/202406/t20…

    • whyisave on 26/06/2024 - 17:59

      Dates confirmed: from 1st July 2024 to 31 December 2025.

      That's great. I can go in a few weeks' time :-)

      starts checking flights

  • whyisave on 30/06/2024 - 01:00

    This is now main-page worthy …

    15 Days Visa-Free Entry To China for Australian & New Zealand Passport Holders
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/853959

  • Tomato on 12/07/2024 - 00:33

    due to this visa waiver we r thinking to go Lhasa Tibet tour. here to ask if anyone has experience going there n dealing with possible altitude sickness? no experience with high altitude so wondering if i can handle it? the highest i hv gone b4 might be Genting in Malaysia when young and remember vomitting then :'(

  • whyisave on 16/08/2024 - 22:24

    Last month, I made 2 stops via China : Beijing and Guangzhou.

    Both times, the immigration staff at the airport, did NOT want to issue me a transit visa,
    and said that Aust. Citizens can get 15-days Visa, and they were happy to give me those stamps
    (as if they did not want to process a "transit visa"… too much work? or are they trying to fill a quota to say this was a successful Visa program? )

    Also, everyone everywhere on my travels (Europe and elsewhere), knows about the 15-day Visa thing….so, this is very widely known now.

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