Recently, the Chinese embassies in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Luxembourg and other countries have issued notices, announcing that holders of virtual APEC business travel card (ABTC) are allowed to enter China without visa from 1 May 2023.

In view of the above, effective from 1 May 2023, foreign holders of valid virtual APEC business travel card can enter China with relevant virtual cards and valid passports that consistent with the cards. No need to apply for visas. Card holders can stay in China for 60 days after each entry.

Before the above announcement, foreigners with valid APEC business travel cards have already been allowed to enter China without visa from 24 August 2022.

Currently, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has 21 economies (members) in total, including China, Hong Kong, Taipei, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Mexico, the United States, Canada and Russia. The United States and Canada are currently transitional members. They will not approve or issue APEC business travel cards but will provide visa application and entry and exit customs clearance facilities for card holders from other economies. The APEC business travel card scheme is not applicable to the travel between China’s mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan regions.

KAIZEN Group is equipped with experienced and highly qualified professional consultants and is therefore well positioned to provide professional advices and services in respect of the formation and registration of company, application for various business licences and permits, company compliance, tax planning, audit and accounting in China. Please call and talk to our professional consultants for details.

See Also:
Hong Kong - APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme Application Procedures and Fees