China To Resume Issuance Of Visas To Foreign Visitors

China says it will resume issuing visas to foreign tourists since closing its borders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.

The announcement comes after the country said it had defeated the virus and is in the last stage of ending its three-year zero-COVID policy.

An official in China’s ministry of foreign affairs, Ji Rong, said the country would resume issuing all categories of visas for foreigners from March 15.

Unexpired visas obtained before March 28, 2020 – the date China closed its borders  – would also be valid.

Millions of international visitors and tourists frequented China each year prior to the pandemic.

The country’s tourism industry has been the worst hit by its strict zero-COVID measures.