Travelers arrive at the departure hall in Singapore Changi airport in Singapore on March 31, 2023.
Catherine Lai | Afp | Getty Images
SINGAPORE — The embassies of China, Singapore, and Brunei have announced the reinstatement of China’s 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei starting from July 26. This decision comes after a three-year suspension of visas due to China’s strict travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the new policy, Singapore citizens can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, and transit. The Chinese embassy to Singapore also confirmed that previously issued visas will remain valid, and new visa applications will be processed as well.
The relationship between Singapore and China has always been strong, with frequent high-level meetings between leaders of both countries. In March, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, and in May, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his visit to Beijing.
The resumption of the visa-free entry policy is expected to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and enhance bilateral cooperation between Singapore and China, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The reinstatement of the visa-free entry policy has brought joy and excitement to many, including 54-year-old Singaporean Wang Guoliang, whose parents and relatives currently reside in China. Wang expressed his happiness over the news and mentioned his plans to visit China more frequently, especially during the upcoming school holidays in December.
It’s worth noting that citizens from several countries already enjoy visa exemptions when visiting China for less than 30 days. Some of these countries include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Maldives, and Fiji. However, visas are still required for stays longer than a month or for specific purposes, such as work, study, or migration.
The announcement of the visa-free entry policy did not have a significant impact on airline stocks, with Singapore Airlines experiencing a slight increase of 0.4% at the start of Monday’s trading session, while Cathay Pacific saw a decrease of 0.35%.
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