Visa-free regime for tourist groups arriving on cruise ships at 13 seaports of China
The National Immigration Administration of China has decided: starting from May 15, 2024, foreign tourist groups arriving on cruise ships at 13 seaports of the People’s Republic of China and disembarking as part of organized tourist groups to enter and stay for a period not exceeding more than 15 days without a visa.You can travel in this way not only in coastal provinces and municipalities, but also in other autonomous regions and even visit Beijing.There are a number of rather strict conditions:- the group must consist of at least two people and have confirmation that they are accepted by a Chinese travel company; – the period of visa-free stay in the territory of the People’s Republic of China cannot exceed 15 days (counting is conducted from the next day after arrival);- After staying on land, tourists are required to continue their journey on a cruise ship and stay on board until they leave China.The visa-free privilege is available upon arrival at the ports of the following cities:• Beihai (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) • Wenzhou;• Guangzhou;• Dalian (Liaoning Province) • Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province) • Sanya (Hainan Province) • Xiamen (Fujian Province) • Tianjin• Haikou• Qingdao (Shandong Province) • Zhoushan (Zhejiang Province)* Shanghai• Shenzhen (Guangdong Province).In Shanghai, such a regime existed before, but was suspended due to COVID.Russians can enter China without visas within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement on group tourist exchange. No matter what kind of transport they used to get to China. A similar visa concession applies to Chinese citizens traveling to the Russian Federation. Of course, if certain rules are followed.Individual travelers with Russian passports do not need a visa to travel to the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as to Hainan Province. Unless, of course, they are going to stay there longer than the allowed time period.
