China and Australia will now offer each other's citizens multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years for tourists and business travelers.
According to Reuters, this new visa policy, effective Friday, is another sign that the two countries' relations are improving.
New Visa Policy of China and Australia
China's Premier Li Qiang's recent visit to Australia has been a significant step in stabilizing bilateral ties, which had been under strain in recent years. This visit has paved the way for positive changes, including the new visa policy.
This new visa arrangement reflects a significant shift from the previous policy that Chinese citizens could only apply for visas lasting up to one year, except for frequent travelers who could get visas valid for up to 10 years.
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Spike in Travel Interest Going to Australia
The announcement of the new visa policy has sparked an immediate surge in travel interest. Within an hour, searches for flights, hotels, and other travel-related items for Australia skyrocketed by over 200% on Chinese travel platform Tongcheng Travel, according to state-backed media The Paper.
This surge in interest is a promising sign of the potential increase in travel between the two countries. China has been gradually easing entry restrictions for visitors from various countries to boost travel for business and leisure purposes, following stringent COVID-19 measures that had kept its borders largely closed.
Li Qiang said during his trip to Australia that China would also include Australia in its visa-free scheme, allowing Australians to visit the country 15 days or fewer without a visa.
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