Can I enter a visa-free country directly with my passport?

Nowadays, the “gold content” of Chinese passports is getting higher and higher. Up to now, more and more countries and regions are open to China for visa-free and visa-on-arrival. However, visa exemption does not mean 100% entry guarantee. Let’s talk about whether visa-free countries can really enter the country directly with a passport?

According to reports, currently, our country There are three different types of visa policies for citizens to travel abroad for private purposes:

First, mutual visa exemption allows both parties to freely enter and exit the other country with valid national passports; second, unilateral visa exemption allows Chinese citizens to enter the country unilaterally Visa-free entry; third, visa-on-arrival applicants do not obtain visas to other countries directly from the country where they are located. Instead, they hold their passport and entry permit certificate issued by the relevant authorities of the country, and then issue a visa after arriving at the port of that country.

"So, are only countries with mutual visa exemptions able to successfully enter and exit the country with a white passport? No!"

As long as the Ministry of Public Security reports it to the border inspection department In countries where there is a record, the border inspection can release the goods in accordance with the policy.

On the contrary, those countries that implement policies unilaterally cannot be considered visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries in the true sense.

In other words, if the border inspection department does not receive a notification from the Ministry of Public Security, then even if the other party has unilaterally implemented the visa-free or visa-on-arrival policy, China’s border inspection will not be able to let you go, and you will still have to go to these countries. Apply for a visa.

Notes:

1. Visa-free countries generally allow stays of no more than 30 days.

For destinations such as Mauritius, Seychelles, and Fiji, entry requires departure tickets and hotel information, otherwise the immigration bureau has the right to deny entry to the guest.

2. Most of the unilateral visa-free countries have restrictions, including regional restrictions. For example, only Jeju Island in South Korea is visa-free for China, and other areas still need to apply for a visa.

Visa-free entry into Indonesia requires five designated ports including Bali. Some are visa-free for group tourists, such as Tahiti.

3. Although some countries grant Chinese citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival treatment, they are unable to exit China without a visa, such as Laos, Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal, Dominica, Lebanon, Togo, Costa Rica, Bangladesh, Mozambique, etc.

4. Some destinations can be entered by transit, that is, they are visa-free but need to apply for a visa for other countries, such as Cook Islands, Andorra, Samoa, Micronesia, and Bahrain.

5. Russia is only a visa-free destination for group tourists.

6. Visa-free destination with regional restrictions: Egypt.

Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is visa-free for Chinese tourists, which means that tourists without a visa cannot go to the location of the Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Other entry precautions:

The passport must be valid for more than 6 months; those with a record of visa refusal are recommended to apply for a visa in advance; inbound tourists should print out itinerary, hotel, and air ticket confirmations. Facilitate customs inspection; if you encounter customs detention and questioning, there is no need to be nervous. You should explain the situation truthfully and in detail to ensure that the answers given by your peers are consistent.

The Chinese Consulate General in Jeju specifically reminds Chinese tourists that according to international practice, even if you hold a valid Chinese passport and a valid visa from a certain country, the immigration officials of that country still have the right to deny your entry and refuse to give reasons.

Therefore, it is necessary to prepare relevant materials such as itinerary, hotel reservation, and round-trip air tickets when entering the country.

A large local travel agency in Jeju Island, South Korea suggested that before arriving in Jeju Island, you should ensure that the purpose of travel is clear and the length of stay is specific.

In addition, tourists must remember or record the name and contact information of their accommodation (hotel, inn, etc.) when traveling; tourists need to buy return tickets before arriving in Jeju and keep relevant vouchers; groups Tourists traveling should pay close attention to the team and the tour leader or tour guide. If any situation arises, maintain smooth communication with the tour leader or tour guide.

In addition, it is best not to bring excessive amounts of cash with you when going abroad. If necessary, you can exchange part of the destination currency at home in advance.

With the approval of the Thai Cabinet, from December 1 this year to February 28 next year, 19 countries, including China, will temporarily exempt 1,000 visa processing fees at Thai embassies or consulates abroad. Thai baht (1 baht is approximately 0.19 yuan), and the visa fee on arrival will also be reduced from 2,000 baht to 1,000 baht to attract more foreign tourists to visit Thailand, especially Chinese tourists.

However, it should be noted that tourists still need to prepare all the materials in advance when applying for a visa on arrival at the airport, otherwise they will risk being refused entry by customs.

It is understood that the Thai visa on arrival is valid for 15 days, and the visa fee is only charged in cash in Thai baht.

Applicants need to fill in the visa on arrival application form and prepare a passport valid for no less than 6 months, air tickets or air ticket itinerary for entering and exiting Thailand within 15 days, 1 2-inch color ID photo with white background, and A real and searchable address in Thailand.

In addition, applicants are required to provide proof of funds and prepare cash or equivalent foreign currency of no less than 10,000 baht (approximately RMB 2,000) per person or no less than 20,000 baht per family. For random inspection by the Immigration Bureau.

In addition, the National Tourism Administration of Thailand recommends that Chinese tourists can log in to the Chinese page of the Thai Immigration Bureau website to fill in and print the visa on arrival application form online, or print a blank form to fill in, eliminating the need to fill it out at the visa on arrival counter at the airport. Time and trouble.

It should be noted that if tourists transfer from Bangkok to other destinations in Thailand, they also need to apply for a visa on arrival in Bangkok before going through the transfer procedures.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand also recommends that tourists first apply for visas at the Thai embassy and consulates in China in advance to avoid waiting for a long time at the airport due to the large number of people applying for visas on arrival.