First announced at Forum.
Free 15 Day Visa-Free Entry to China for Australian & New Zealand Passport Holders (Save $110)
Current Expiring Date would be 31st of December 2025 (But it could be extended)
To avoid any confusion, there are plenty of websites that mention that the 15 Day Visa-Free Entry to China for Australian Passport Holders starts on 1st of July 2024 and ends 31st of December 2025.
Official Website of confirmation
is your friend elon musk or something?
He worked for a power company in Aus at the time, perhaps they had some special interest in buying that like the rest of our infrastructure.
Why bother engaging with sea-lioning trolls? They've made up their mind. If they actually wanted to know they could watch vloggers showing men in black suits follow them.
I've been to China and don't care. If they were spies and didn't want to be seen they'd wear casual clothing. It's just a theatrical intimidation tactic. "Behave yourself while you're here"
They're just normal people being told to follow foreigners, not like they're targeting specific people. I'll have lunch with them and ask them good places to shop.
You talking about it spreads the word for people to not FAFO while in China, which they'd be grateful to you for.
K Rudd
What about critical positive comments of the CCP
Well then you'll get enough social credits to escape death for at least another day :)
You think this visa free is a scheme to detain people from Australia haha
What a troll post. They always start with my friend. My colleague. Someone I know… unless you got personal objective proof like video evidence stop spreading hate here. There’s better reddit subs you can go spread your anti China conspiracies and whatever b.s. you cook up. The crowd on those subreddits will also be more receptive and I’m sure you can all compare each others’ friends stories of been oppressed/followed by CCP.
I personally feel real bad for the Chinese diaspora with family still on the mainland. They don't even need to be critical of that government directly, merely seen to be condoning or not arguing back loudly enough to someone that is critical is all it really takes for a phone call out of the blue from Yeye…
Has "110 Overseas" been covered up sufficiently now for you to call it bs ?
Exactly hahah,
Literally millions of execs fly into China every year for business, millions of business owners then you go on OzB and you hear a story from a friend of a friend a decade ago - Some lovestruck loser chasing a girl, yeh ok bro.
Yes, most of these trolls have never been to China and act like they are expert😂
Planning our next family trip there! Also easier more transiting via HK through land. Can’t wait for Shanghai.
Just remember to wear your pajamas in Shanghai like the locals. You'll fit right in.
早上好澳大利亚，现在我有冰激凌
This should be in the forum.
no
How easy to setup Alipay and Wechat pay?
Think it’s hard, and you really do need it
Must be hard to think, considering you haven't done it. You already assumed its hard LOL.
God the brain decay is insane.
It’s not straight forward is all I’m saying. Flog
@Dtezy: If you have to think it's hard, it means you haven't actually done it.
LMAO, your life must be hard.
I recommend Alipay - ID check and add Visa/Master/AMEX
And ensure your Australian mobile roams - Alipay needs you to receive a daily SMS from your bank to reauthorise the credit card.
That's not my experience with Alipay, no SMS was needed for ING card after the initial setup. You definitely need data either via roaming or local sim on your mobile for payments.
@assailantsky: November 2023 BankWest Platinum Zero with AliPay — daily SMS needed to authorise transactions to your registered Australian number.
But that's just a general requirement these days - your credit card isn't guaranteed to work if you don't have a way to hear from the bank's risk department. Chip and pin usually fine. For any other method you might require secondary authentication. Lion Air group in Indonesia - booking a domestic flight online - you'd better be able to receive SMS.
@factor: All I'm saying is it is not a Alipay requirement, it is your bank's requirement. Last used Alipay in May 2024 in China and no issues. In my experience if using an ING debit card you won't need to verify daily with SMS.
eSim from Hong Kong might be cheaper than roaming with a SIM from Australia.
The Alipay global version on the App Store or the Chinese version, can I do that from here or in China? Thanks.
Global version is better as it has lots of useful functions for visitors. You should setup before you arrive in China.
I think they can help you set up Alipay at the airport when you land and subscribe a local number.
Wechat pay can be done here by linking it to a credit card. I use Wise since there's no real service fees and can control the amount of money exchanged into Chinese Yuan. You can connect Wechat pay to Wise to get best method of payment without subscribing to a local mobile number there (can use Aus numbers).
Never ever get Chinese local number!! If you roam your Oz number or use a Hongkong number, you can access Google FB YT whatsapp etc, but Chinese local number … great, enjoy your holiday behind the greate fxking fire wall
Not hard, but the app experience itself is not entirely smooth.
When I was using it late last year, most of the time my QR code would not load or took forever to. When it finally loaded, and the scanner tried to scan, there was no guarantee the payment would process successfully.
Alipay is pretty easy, can setup app and your card before you go. Need to scan passport and face on phone camera for ID. Only get charged 3% fee for purchases over ¥200 (~$40) plus whatever international fee your card has (3% for me). Don't bother with Wechat pay, and haven't used cash once but good to have some as backup.
You can get by with WeChat Pay and linking a card.
I know I will be down voted for this, but you would have to pay me to go to that communist dystopia.
It's not too bad. Just need to keep your mouth shut in public - which most Aussies can't do and get into all sort of trouble in various parts of Asia.
Anything using the Hong Kong anthem as ring tone is inviting trouble upon themselves. No difference to insulting the king whilst in Thailand.
Either don't go, or do as Romans do.
using the Hong Kong anthem as ring tone
No one cares as long as you play it in prolonged period :/
Long live Playboy Thai King
Should I go as
Roman 1: someone that grew up in the cultural revolution, talk loud, spit everywhere and watching old school propaganda movies on the high speed rail on speaker not giving a stuff
or
Roman 2: Dancing granny
How strict is insulting the king in Thailand really though?
I hung out with a few Thai people aged 20-30 when I was there and they absolutely hated the government and royal family. One told me about how the go and protest around Khaosan Road at the monument on the roundabout and all they do is turn the lights off to drive them away.
I hear the same thing about speaking poorly about the Malaysian royal family, but then again, it doesn't seem to be a real thing to be concerned about.
Same as what's reported in China. I guess some idiots will get themselves into trouble whilst most will be ok.
No one is forcing others to go, it's optional.
Low tax bracket mentality.
Ouch! lol
China haven't been communist for a long long time. It's more a state capitalism, when it's rule of $$$$, but $$$$ eventually end up in the hands of the state. Minus the cut for all the people along the way, some take a bigger cut than others.
When Deng Xiaoping introduced globalisation that was the end
is this a one way trip to china ??
Don't think they want someone like you there
Can't wait for my organs to be harvested by CCP
Do a bottle of tequila and a few packets of smokes a day, they will have no use for the organs.
Make sure you join the Falong Cult first or your organs won't be of any value apparently.
What yaer is it now? 1980?
Keep spreading your misinformation without any basis or facts
You'll be OK ……. big, fat asses aren't really a thing in China.
4 US men were stabbed and 2 Japanese stabbed within 2 weeks, targeted attack. They train their ppl hate foreigners, esp from Jap US Oz.
This is true, they send international students to Australia to stab us.
Lol. that's the "violence score" every 1/2 hour in USA.
That is what really just happend, I dont understand why so many negs
All Australian should say Thank you China for paying our Centrelink ans Medicare.
We could already visit the Republic of China free for three months.
I’m just keen to see how many ways the people from PRC find to exploit the multi visit 5 year visas they can get now to make money.
China numbah wan!
The visa-free entry policy applies to all open sea, land, and air ports to foreign citizens
This is great for those who enter China via Hong Kong!
Around year 2035, the competition between China and USA in west pacific will end and there will be a winner, no matter which country can win in the end, we won't hear so much nonsense as we do now.
I am not so positive, after all those lies, BS and hatred around for so long. And the Chinese had been silenced as a dead rock since 2008. This free visa event is, maybe the last peace attempt from their elder CCP leadership, as their 60s or70s had been through hell so maybe more keen to avoid the war, but those younger Chinese gens are not so much “Confucius” anymore.
Just a week ago, 3 Americans got stabbed in the park after they bumped into a 55yrs old Chinese pedestrian and a Chinese was wounded too while trying to stop the attacker. Then, just few days ago, there was a random knife attack targeting 2 Japanese immigrants, and a Chinese Samaritan, a brave Chinese lady, was killed while trying to save these 2 Chinese Japanese.
But even for such tragic events, here we are still seeing some PoS trashes are using those tragic news to mock the Chinese and its government, I don’t care what you are hating but this is just way too low.
I have seen enough, and I bet the Chinese younger gens have seen more than enough, eventually even the Chinese will collapse to such hatred, and the madness will follow. But can you really blame the Chinese people for seeking revenge on this ugly broken world that have wronged them for so long?
Let’s be real, the US is forming an Asian NATO, with an almost delusional thinking that the Chinese will just kneel as the Japanese. If we are foolish enough follow the US with all its insanity, hatred and lies, then we all deserve the madness, and there won’t be any 2035 peaceful time. There will be the end before that, for us all.
thx
going to Changsha to party with my Chinese bros
China Number One!!!
China Owns Taiwan!!!
China Rules Australia!!!
China Loves Its Citize-
Yippee ive maxxed out my Social Credit Score!
Where is the effective starting date indicated??????????????????????
1st of July - in 2 days.
where does it say that tho? it's not on the official site or any news site
There are plenty of sites that mention that starts 1st of July 2024 and ends 31st of December 2025.
E.G Official Site
http://au.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/tzgg/202406/t20240626_114…
Take a look at these two news stories. The government’s intentional control of speech and the incitement of xenophobic nationalism are starting to show consequences.
https://amp.abc.net.au/article/103966212
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/06/25/china/japanese-mother-chi…
So I'm guessing you're out
I don't need to guess to know that you got at least two doses of the vaccine in the past three years, but you still haven't learned your lesson.
Must take some real mental gymnastics to paint all 1.5B with the same brush.
Why don't you post up some links to Bondi Westfields. Australian governments intentional incitement of x y z resulted in 6 deaths.
A country that supports the Russian dictatorship has granted you visa-free entry. Congratulations! You can continue to pay double for your car's fuel and enjoy higher interest rates, right?
If you don't like Australia, you can leave. After all, the dictatorship country has given you visa-free entry. Isn't this a good opportunity?
What is there not to like about Australia with a free visa into the PRC?
@Chinese: What I don’t like is that they claim to be the safest country in the world. Yet, the national media never report on criminal cases.
Liars don’t deserve respect, do they?
@Hi Hi Hi: They are, PRC is a safe place for the general public, particular in the major cities.
Probably more confident to walk down an alley in Shanghai than some random place in Sydney.
Like I said, when in Rome,act like Romans.
@Chinese: China has no investigative journalists. You can check the International Press Freedom Index; China ranks at the bottom. All criminal cases and incidents like explosions are never mentioned or reported by the official media. Is such an environment, where there is no public discussion, safe?
Europe, due to far-left leaders like Merkel, has seen a massive influx of Middle Eastern refugees. This has greatly changed the demographic composition of the local population. Europe is already suffering the consequences, but fortunately, the UK and Australia have not brought in refugees on such a large scale.
The solution to the refugee problem is to make refugees willing to return to their own countries, rather than indiscriminately becoming your neighbors.
@Hi Hi Hi: Yes. And the point is? (Particularly wrt the OP of a "free" visa).
One thing people need to realise is that, living in isolation in today's globalisation does not work.
Personally, as much as I try to source things locally (food, clothing etc) is not always possible. Those saying no China should really start tossing their phone and other PRC made items into the bin.
At least for foreigners, it is relatively safe. This is purely a transaction that the PRC offers free visa, an average Jo/Bob goes there and spend his/her money.
If anything not being reported about Aussies being killed in the PRC, DFAT shares part of that responsibility.
As much as I am not a fan of the PRC, prosperity for an average PRC citizen, the government has done the right thing by its people (the general population does not even think with half their brain, unfortunately), particularly in civil order. Consequently, liberty is taken away to a certain extent. The opposite as an example, are idiots rioting in opposing to COVID lockdown measures (whether the rioters understand why they are out there is irrelevant). There are always two sides to one coin.
What I am trying to say is, there's the political side which a different forum (or a proper academic discussion for that matter) is more suitable. It's a free visa that usually waste of time to get - not a bad deal by any stretch. People not going in with a free visa, would not have gone in whilst a visa is needed anyway, so no impact whatsoever.
Ok Israel and Trump supporter
@Vampy: OK, a supporter of Russia, Hamas, China, Iran, North Korea, BLM, cultural Marxism, and dictators.
Go to China; that’s your true spiritual home.
Go to the US and Israel.. that's your true spiritual home.
@Crazy John Howard: Supporter of Hamas, don’t just talk about it; take action quickly. At the very least, buy a ticket and go there to show your support.
People should align their actions with their words. Don’t just offer verbal support. Remember to take your whole family with you. Good times should be enjoyed together!
Lmao thinking the russia war is why Australia has high interest rates / high fuel prices.
It's got nothing to do with America printing trillions LMAO derp.
I never said i don't like Australia, nice of you to assume. I can see how well your education served you lmaooo russia war = inflation LOL
@TightAl: If your math wasn’t taught by a PE teacher, you wouldn’t be so ridiculous and arrogant. Russia ranks second in the world for oil and gas exports. This is also why the dictator Putin can threaten European countries.
During the pandemic, all countries engaged in quantitative easing. Otherwise, how would you have lived and eaten when you weren’t working during the pandemic? Should all small business owners have gone bankrupt? Are you blaming the governments for subsidizing their citizens?
You truly have no idea about your own ignorance.
@Hi Hi Hi: You're so naive it's actually hilarious. The NordSteam must have self imploded in your brain.
There's QE and there's US QE, if you devalue the dollar what happens? you continue to pay the same? LOL
I lived and ate pretty well during the pandemic, if you didn't, that's on you.
@TightAl: Then you should live during the pandemic. It's clear that you really miss that period. Since you were doing so well, you should be grateful to the U.S. QE even if gasoline prices are high.
What would happen if only Australia did QE while the U.S. did not? You have no logic in your thinking.
They will not only control their own ppl's speech, but also use millions of their cyber army to use disinfomation and mislead users. You all can see how many spy ids are trying to mute comments that they don't like.
1)Do you need to organise this free visa before hand / online quick one OR
2) Do you get this free visa once you arrive in china ( visa on arrival) OR
3) there is no need for visa whatsoever, Austrailian passport holders are exempt from visa requirement of any kind as long as it is no more than 15 days..
I wonder which one is really true? Newsin different newspapers are not really clear ?
The way I understood it, is that it's Visa on-arrival, at the airport.
This was extended to AU , NZ and PL citizens.
However, your query does raise a valid point,
ie. should the 15-day Visa be arranged from country of origin before flying to CN ?
Last year, I received the 24-hour transit Visa inside China, after arrival, just by showing the onward flight ticket.
We have just travelled via Beijing to Istanbul and the whole family was refused visa on arrival (72/144hours) without mentioning any reason whatsoever and that too after going through really long ques of passengers waiting to be served by just one lady. TBH Unless it's an exemption from visa requirement, I LL be thinking twice before booking our family holidays via China.
Tbh if you have any granted visa prior to arrival you can still be refused entry upon arrival, and that's true for any country. I won't worry about it if your visit is legitimate and you are of good character. While your experience is certainly weird, not sure how much, if any, of transiting via a third country (eg China) played a part in been refused entry to the final country (Turkey).
@assailantsky: There was at least one other family which faced exactly same situation and had to stay in the airport with us for nearly 20 hours before our flight to istanbul.
1) no
2) yes, if they deem that you meet the requirements of this visa, i.e. visiting relatives, tourism, business
3) no, you still need to apply for a visa for other specific purposes, e.g. journalism, diplomatic etc, and if you want to visit longer than 15 days for the purposes covered by the visa-free entry.
Does anyone have tips on how to find cheap(er) hotel accommodation in Beijing and/or Shanghai ?
I've checked Booking.com and it's quite expensive in Beijing.
Try trip.com and check hotel policies. Look for : Guests Accepted Guests from every country/region are accepted
example:
Another part of the recent changes is that hotels cannot refuse foreign guests.
Don't need to fly if you are in shenzhen just walk over and back
Besides cost of a plane ticket depending where you are in China usually cost more than a visa
Yes I agree that place sucks and they share the same black face as immigration officers in China