The Chinese Embassy in Singapore officially announced the reinstatement of the 15-day visa-free policy, which had previously been temporarily suspended, according to CGTN.
This policy, which will take effect from 26 July onwards, enables Singaporean citizens with ordinary passports to travel to China for various purposes, including tourism, business engagements, family visits, and transit without the need to obtain a visa beforehand.
Eligibility and Permitted Activities
Under the visa-free policy, Singaporean citizens holding ordinary passports will be eligible to enter China for a period of up to 15 days.
Validity of Existing Visas and Processing of Visa Applications
The Chinese Embassy clarified that any existing visas issued to Singaporean citizens remain valid and can be utilized as per their original terms.
Additionally, for those who have already lodged visa applications, the processing of these applications will continue as usual.
This ensures that individuals who had previously planned to visit China will not face any disruptions due to the temporary suspension of the visa-free policy.
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry’s Response
In response to the Chinese government’s decision, Singapore’s foreign ministry expressed its appreciation for reinstating the visa-free policy.
The ministry believes that this move will not only strengthen the people-to-people ties between the two nations but also enhance business collaborations and cultural exchanges.
The mutual facilitation of travel is expected to bring both countries even closer together, fostering a sense of understanding and friendship.
MFA’s statement on Facebook
MFA welcomes China’s announcement that it will reinstate the 15-day visa-free arrangement for Singaporeans travelling to China with effect from 26 July 2023.
This will facilitate people and business flows between our countries and pave the way for deeper bilateral cooperation, especially following the upgrade in Singapore-China relations to an All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership earlier this year during PM Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Beijing.