travel agency singapore for china visa

Visa Processing Centre

Welcome to Global Singapore: Your customer-oriented visa processing centre in Singapore!

With our comprehensive visa services, we assist businesses and individuals in obtaining visas for diverse destinations like South Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, and more. Navigating the complexities of consulate procedures is our expertise, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for you. Backed by years of specialised experience, our qualified staff handles even the most intricate visa tasks, minimising the risk of refusal. Count on our high competence, dedication, and personalised approach to guarantee the highest level of service and maximise your visa approval chances.

Individual Travellers : Travelling abroad? Our visa experts simplify the process for various destinations. We handle complex procedures, increasing your success rate. Relax and plan your trip while we take care of the paperwork.

Corporate Solutions : We offer customised corporate visa solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our expert account managers understand visa landscape and ensure a smooth application process for your organisation.

More Than Just Visas : We go beyond processing applications. We become your strategic partner, recommending the best visa options and minimising delays. Our personalised support ensures a smooth experience.

We guarantee you the highest level of our work, which reduces to a minimum the probability of refusal of a visa. Our operation is built on the high competence, dedication of our team members and an individual approach to every single client.

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Get a China Visa

Important information, sample of the business travel requirements for an china visa for singapore citizens.

Visa May Not Be Required

Visa exempt for a stay of up to 30 days. The traveller must:

Please keep in mind that even if staying less than 30 days, you must:

• Hold a passport valid a least six months on entry with one blank visa page
• Hold proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay
• Hold proof of onward/return flight
• Hold all documents required for the next destination
• Hold a Visa for the next destination, if required
• Confirm with the airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa as these conditions are subject to change

For stays exceeding 30 days, a visa is required and must be obtained prior to arrival. Please refer to the CIBTvisas application pack for details.

Fingerprint Submission

If you are aged between 14 and 70, your China visa application will not be considered complete until you have submitted fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre. After we have received all the materials required in support of your visa application we will call you to schedule an appointment to submit fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first come, first serve basis.                                                    

The applicant's actual passport. The passport must: Have at least two blank visa pages Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (e.g. if you are requesting a 6 month visa your passport must be valid for 12 months)

Visa Application and Photograph

Complete the enclosed China Application Form . Then send it and the rest of your documents to the CIBTvisas office address listed on the submission checklist page of this application pack. CIBTvisas will work with the Chinese government to submit your application. After the application has been accepted we will send it to you via encrypted email for your signature.

Upload your photograph at https://cibtvisas.sg/photo-service . For guidance on how to submit an acceptable photograph refer to the China Photo Guide contained in this Application Pack.

Copy of Passport Identification Page

A clear colour copy of the information page(s) from the applicant's passport

Letter of Invitation

You must provide a letter of invitation from your Chinese business counterparts.  A copy is acceptable.  The letter must:

• Be in English or Chinese
• Be addressed to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Singapore
• Be on company letterhead
• Include all information listed on the ID page of your passport (full ame, date of birth, gender, passport number, issue date, expiry date, passport issuing authority)
• Specify in detail the purpose of trip (including place of visit, arrival and departure dates, local contact details)
• Specify the requested number of entries and the length of stay required for the visa
• Include an acceptance of financial responsibility for the applicant
• Be signed by the legal representative of the company or the inviting individual
• Display the company stamp or seal on the letter

Travellers may refer to the sample Letter of Invitation provided in the Application Kit for how to format the letter.

Proof of Travel Arrangements

You must provide proof of travel arrangements for the duration of your trip.  Details of your intended arrangements must: Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket showing entry and exit dates Show the traveler's full name as it appears in the passport

CIBTvisas - Order Confirmation

Please provide the CIBTvisas Order Summary which will be emailed to you at the time of placing the order.

Please Read

Special Reminders:

• If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials
• The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant

Place of Birth

If the applicant was born in China, (including Hong Kong, Taiwan or Macau), they must provide:

• A copy of their previous China visa

If the applicant has not had a previous visa for China, they must provide:

• A copy of the passport identification page and cancelled information page from the old China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Macau passport

Please Note: Further documentation may be requested at the discretion of the Embassy.

Applicants with Media Occupations

If the applicant works for a company associated with the media, they must supply an additional  original business introduction letter . The letter must:

• Be addressed to the China Embassy 
• Be on company letterhead paper
• Include the name of the applicant
• Include the applicant’s passport number
• Include the applicant’s designation
• Include a brief description of the nature of the applicant’s company 
• Specify in detail the purpose of journey and if is not media related, clearly indicate that the visit is  not media related or engaging in any media coverage
• Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required
• Be signed by the applicant's supervisor or the company's HR department

An original personal declaration letter is also required. The letter must:

• Specify in detail the purpose of journey and if it is not media related, clearly indicate that the visit is not media related or engaging in any media coverage
• Be signed by the applicant

An original invitation letter from Chinese business counterparts is also required. The letter must:

• Be in English
• Be addressed to the China Embassy
• Include information of the applicant
• Specify in detail the purpose of journey and if is not media related, clearly indicate that the visit is not media related or engaging in any media coverage
• Include a brief description of the nature of the company
• Be signed by the applicant's supervisor or the company's HR department in China company

Processing time and visa validity granted will be subject to the Chinese Embassy’s discretion. CIBTvisas cannot assist to obtain invitations for applicants with media related occupations.

Multiple Entry Visa Applicants

Applicants requesting a 6-month or 12-month multiple entry business visa must provide copies of their previous Chinese business visa. Please keep in mind the following:

• If the valid visa is in another valid passport, that valid original passport must be submitted to the Embassy for cancellation (travellers can only carry one valid China visa on any passport)
• If the valid visa is in an expired/cancelled passport, that expired/cancelled passport must be submitted to the Embassy for cancellation and verification purposes.
• If the expired visa is in an expired passport, you must provide a clear colour copy of the previous passport biodata page and China visa. A copy of the entry/exit stamp by the Chinese Immigration must also be provided  to show evidence that the visa had been utilised. If the visa was not utilised, the embassy may grant a single or double entry visa and at their discretion.
• If the expired visa is in another valid passport (e.g. for dual passport holders or holders of second national passport), that valid original passport must be submitted also to the Embassy for verification purposes

The applicant's Employment Authorisation or Residency Permit must also be valid at least 1 month beyond the exit date of the intended visa. For example, to request a 12-month multiple entry visa, the applicant's pass must be valid for at least 13 months.

Additionally, the applicant's passport must be valid for at least 18 months. For example, to request a 1-year multiple entry visa, the applicant's passport must be valid for at least 18 months.

Please note: The 6-month and 12-month multiple entry business visas are issued at the discretion of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore.If applicants have not utilised their previous China visa, the Chinese Embassy may not grant a multiple entry visa.

Travellers Born In or Travelled to Turkey

Applicants who were born in Turkey or who have travelled to Turkey must provide an original personal letter. This letter should state the detailed reasons for travel to Turkey and specify the exact date(s) of entry, exit, and duration of the stay(s). Additionally, a photo copy of the Turkey visa (if applicable) and all entry and exit stamps must be provided.

Withdrawal of Applications

Please note the Chinese Embassy discourages the withdrawal of an application once submitted

Travellers Born In or Travelled to Pakistan

Applicants who were born in Pakistan and who have travelled to Pakistan must provide an original personal letter. This letter should state the detailed reasons for travel to Pakistan and specify the exact date(s) of entry, exit, and duration of the stay(s). A photocopy of all Pakistan entry and exit stamps must be submitted together with the application.

For Pakistan passport holders, a clear photocopy (front and back) of Pakistan ID card must additionally be provided. If you are unable to provide the Pakistan ID card, the reason must be provided in the personal letter.

Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an China Visas for Singapore Citizens

You must provide proof of travel arrangements for the duration of your trip.  Details of your intended arrangements must: Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket showing entry and exit dates Show the traveler's full name as it appears in the passport Include a copy of the hotel confirmation Double entry visas: Two flight itineraries must be provided for double entry visa applications. The first itinerary must show the first entry & exit dates to China. The second itinerary must show that the applicant is required to enter China within a short period of time from the first entry (e.g Travellers who are on cruise and are travelling to two destinations in China). Please note that it will be at the discretion of the Chinese Embassy to approve a double entry visa. If staying with family or friends the following must be supplied: A copy of the flight confirmation showing onward/return travel - If you are requesting a double or multiple entry visa, the itinerary and invitation must specify all entries and exits A photocopy of the inviting party’s passport and residence permit/visa or copy of front and back of their Chinese ID card if a Chinese national. An invitation letter which must contain: a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.) b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China) c) Information of the inviting individual (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual). If visiting a family member the applicant must supply a photocopy of their certification of kinship i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship issued by the Chinese Public Security Bureau showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties. ("Family member" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law)

If the applicant works for a company associated with the media, they must supply an additional business introduction letter. The letter must: Be addressed to the China Embassy Be on company letterhead paper Include the name of the applicant Specify in detail the purpose of journey and if is not media related, clearly indicate that the visit is  not media related or engaging in any media coverage Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required Include an acceptance of financial responsibility for the applicant Be signed by the applicant's supervisor or the company's HR department A personal letter is also required. The letter must: Be addressed to the China Embassy Specify in detail the purpose of journey and if it is not media related, clearly indicate that the visit is not media related or engaging in any media coverage Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required Be signed by the applicant Processing time and visa validity granted will be subject to the Chinese Embassy’s discretion. CIBT cannot assist to obtain invitations for applicants with media related occupations.

Housewives, Retired, or Self Employed Applicants

Housewives, retired, and self-employed applicants must provide evidence of funds. This should be provided as your bank statements for the last three months.

News and Alerts

India Biometrics Registration: The Indian Consulate now requires biometric data from most visa applicants and this data must be submitted at the Indian Visa Application Centre. CIBTvisas is pleased to announce the launch of a new service designed to make the securing of an Indian visa as simple as possible. We ensure that everything you need for the visas is correct and provide you access to biometric appointment times available only to CIBTvisas customers.

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How to Apply for a China Visa — a Step-by-Step Guide

Amazing News for Selected Country Travelers!

Visa-Free Access to China

Great news for our esteemed customers from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Malaysia! You can enjoy China's beautiful culture and scenery visa-free for 15 days until December 31st, 2025. No extended waiting, less hassle, and more time for planning your perfect China adventure.

And for our fortunate travelers from Singapore—you can relish visa-free access to China for up to 30 days, indefinitely!

Seeking a Longer Stay or Arriving from Other Countries? Try China Highlights' Port Visa Service

If your home country isn't listed above or if you aim to discover China for more than two weeks, no worries — we offer our Port Visa Service! Once your tour booking is confirmed with us, we can arrange your visa for just US$50. Forget the stress of embassy visits and visa interviews.

Start booking your dream Chinese vacation with us .

How to Apply for a China Visa

Planning to visit China, but don't know how to apply for a China visa? We're breaking it down for you with our step-by-step guide, follow the steps and get your China visa efficiently.

The visa information we provide is for reference only. We are a travel agency. If you book a trip with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter when applying for a tourist visa.

1. Find out if you need a visa

The first thing is to check whether you need a visa or not. You usually need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet one of China's visa-free policies . 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit offer great convenience if you have a layover in China.

2. Find out which visa you need.

There are many types of China visas. Choose a visa type that applies to your situation. If you are planning to go on a vacation in China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).

3. Prepare the required documents.

The following list of documents are required for any China visa application:

• A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
• A complete visa application form (The visa application form can be downloaded from the Chinese embassy website or from our website. You complete it by computer, print and sign it. In some countries such as UK you should complete an online form . On the form, you might find an item "Serial number of invitation letter of the authorized organization", you may skip this item if you don't have an invitation letter, or the invitation letter is not of this type.)
• A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48mmx33mm)

Along with the aforementioned generally required documents, several additional documents are required depending upon the type of China visa applied for.

For instance, if you are applying for a tourist L visa , you need to prepare an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency. ( An invitation letter could be provided by us without extra charge if a China tour of 3 days or more is booked .)

An invitation letter can replace the air ticket and hotel booking if you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China and can't provide the hotel confirmation, or if your travel is being organized by a travel agency (or other duly authorized organization) in China . We can provide you with the invitation letter if you book a tour with us.

4. Submit the application.

You may submit the application to the Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or China Visa Application Service Centers (also called CVASC) if they are operating in your country.

Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries (including the U.S., the UK, and Canada) have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected .

The regular service processing time is 4 days, and the rushed service takes about 1 day. The latter is only available in extreme emergencies pending a consular officer's approval.

5. Pay the fee and collect your visa.

Go to the place where you apply for a China visa, pay the fee, and collect your visa.

The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. Here we listed China visa prices for some countries for your reference. It may change based on the updated policies.

The fees shown in the table are only for the cost of visa. If you apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the service fee and tax are required.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

When to Apply for a Visa

It is important to get your visa early, but not too early because it is only valid for 90/180 days for single/double-entry visas from the issue date.

It is usually recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel .

Apply for Special Permits, If Necessary.

If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need to get a Tibet Travel Permit from a Chinese travel agency. As a travel agency based in China for more than 20 years, we can help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

Check the most popular Tibet tours .

Apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong

If you are already in Hong Kong and want to visit the Chinese mainland, it is possible to get a China visa in Hong Kong. Read our step-by-step guide .

Tailor-Making a Private China Tour

China Highlights is your China tour tailor-making expert. See the recommended tours below for inspiration or check out our ideas and suggestions on How to Plan Your China Tour .

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Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

150 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247969

E-mail: [email protected]

For visa and legalization issues, please contact Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC)

Tel: +65-67139380 (9:00-14:00, Monday - Friday, except holidays)

E-mail: [email protected]

Homepage: https://www.visaforchina.cn/SGP2_EN/

For Chinese passport and notarization issues, please contact Consular Section of Chinese Embassy

Tel: +65-64712117, +65-62581795 (9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00, Monday - Friday, except holidays)

E-mail: [email protected]

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Travel Notice for China

Singaporeans intending to travel to China should refer to the PRC Embassy website for the latest announcements on travel requirements, restrictions, advisories issued by the Chinese authorities at  http://www.chinaembassy.org.sg/eng/lsfw/ .

Since 26 July 2023, China has resumed the 15-day visa free facility for Singaporeans travelling to China on ordinary passports for business, tourism, family visit, and transit purposes.

[ Note : With effect from  9 February 2024 ,  holders of ordinary passports issued by Singapore will be exempted from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in China, under a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement with China. This will supersede the aforementioned 15-day visa free facility.  Please refer to ICA’s website for more details: ICA | Mutual 30-Day Visa-Exemption Arrangement Between Singapore and The People’s Republic Of China ]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.

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No, you don’t. You can apply for a visa through a travel agency or come directly to our office in person or mail your application to the Visa Centre.

Business Hours:(Monday - Friday) Visa application: 9:00-15:00 Payment and collection 9:00-16:00 NOTICE:Our visa counter will accept rush service(2nd-working-day collection) application until 14:00.

Location：80 Robinson Road, #16-01/02/02A, Singapore 068898 Call：65-67139380  Fax：65-62260852    Email： [email protected]

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Follow our news, recent searches, singapore's visa-free agreement with china may push inbound travel closer to pre-pandemic levels, advertisement.

According to online booking platform Trip.com, searches for flight tickets increased by 90 per cent in the hour after the visa exemption agreement between Singapore and China was announced.

This audio is AI-generated.

Ang Hwee Min

SINGAPORE: The number of Chinese travellers entering Singapore looks set to increase after the mutual 30-day visa-free travel agreement between both countries  kicks in, pushing inbound travel volume closer to pre-pandemic levels.

This agreement was unveiled by both countries at the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting on Dec 7. Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said this would provide "greater convenience" and that Singapore hopes to even go beyond pre-pandemic levels in terms of direct flight connectivity. 

Singapore and China are working out the operational details, aiming to implement the scheme in early 2024.   

Director of business development at Hong Thai Travel Jasmine Li said bookings from inbound Chinese visitors are at an average of 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.   

During the peak season between July and August, the travel agency saw bookings return to 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. The figure dropped to about 30 per cent in November, she shared. 

The visa exemption agreement will increase the number of individual and small family group travellers, and the tour agency is expecting a 10 per cent increase in bookings, said Ms Li.   

It plans to design packages catering to small family group travellers to meet this demand. But for a return to pre-pandemic levels, more effort is needed across the tourism industry and this will take some time, she added.

According to figures from the Singapore Tourism Board, tourist arrivals in Singapore from China are climbing back up to pre-pandemic levels. In July, the number of visitors from China passed the 200,000 mark for the first time since January 2020. 

Singapore, China to set up mutual 30-day visa-free travel, enhancing 'people-to-people exchanges'

Tour agencies turn to social media, Singapore’s hidden gems to woo Chinese tourists

Managing director of Oriental Travel Stanley Foo told CNA that the agency has been badly affected by the drop in Chinese visitors. It saw a 50 per cent decrease in bookings from Chinese visitors, compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This group used to make up about 30 to 40 per cent of the tour agency’s bookings, but the figure now stands at less than 10 per cent, he added. 

“I don’t really see them anymore, except for business travellers. The group travellers have really reduced dramatically,” said Mr Foo. 

“Pre-pandemic, tourists from China are the top three visitors coming to Singapore. So it’s definitely affecting the tourism industry in Singapore badly, without them. We need their money.” 

In the hour after the announcement of the visa exemption agreement, online travel booking platform Trip.com saw an 80 per cent increase in the search volume for deals in Singapore, said Ms Ru Yi, the company’s general manager for Singapore. 

Searches for flight tickets and hotels also increased by 90 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, she added, noting that from January to October, 1.13 million Chinese tourists arrived in Singapore, making China the second-largest source of inbound visitors to Singapore. 

Tour agencies and industry experts pointed to several factors as to why visitor numbers have yet to completely rebound. 

Malaysia and Thailand also recently granted Chinese tourists visa-free access, and this new agreement will make Singapore more competitive on this front, said Ngee Ann Polytechnic senior lecturer in tourism Michael Chiam. 

“The rate of recovery for Chinese arrivals depends on many factors, and they include foreign currency exchange rate and the rate of economic recovery of the Chinese market. Visa-free arrangements is just one of them,” he added. 

Mr Foo also pointed to the stiff competition from Singapore’s neighbours, noting that spending a night in Singapore could be equivalent to spending three nights in Malaysia or Thailand. 

“The prices of hotels went up dramatically, and this will affect a certain group of visitors,” he added, noting that the price increase was about 20 per cent across the board. 

Singapore to work with China on increasing direct flights, as mutual visa-free travel set to kick in

Thailand seeks more Chinese tourists but concerns over safety are hampering efforts

The frequency of flights between Singapore and China is currently at about 60 to 70 per cent of pre-COVID levels, said Ms Li. 

Singapore Airlines declined to disclose specific figures on demand for flights between Singapore and China due to “commercial sensitivities”. 

China is an important market for the SIA Group, which comprises Singapore Airlines and Scoot, said its spokesperson. 

As of December, the SIA Group serves 23 destinations in China, compared to its 25 destinations before the pandemic, they said. 

There are 150 passenger flights to and from China each week, with Singapore Airlines operating 70 and Scoot operating 80. This is an overall increase from about 132 flights in July, where the two airlines operated 49 and 83 flights respectively.

President of the Singapore Hotel Association Kenneth Li said it was "too early to speculate" on the impact of the visa exemption agreement. 

But hotels can expect to welcome more Chinese guests once the hassle of visa applications and planning lead time is removed, he continued. 

" Without a doubt, this is an important source market for all tourism players in Singapore," said Mr Li.  

Research from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on China’s outbound tourism in 2023 showed that the country’s travellers tended towards revenge travel, with a “resilient eagerness” to go overseas, said Associate Professor Deng Xin with the university’s business school. 

The visa exemption agreement will eliminate the hassle of visa applications, she added. “I anticipate that the numbers will eventually reach or surpass pre-pandemic levels, although it might take some time.” 

Southeast Asia is China’s top outbound destination, she added. 

“Chinese travellers rank destination safety, unique scenery and being friendly to the Chinese as the top three destination considerations. They long to travel abroad, yet also want to feel at home when travelling in terms of the language and payment choices. Singapore meets all the criteria."

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After opening borders, China presses Singapore for visa-free travel deal

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Xinghui leads the Singapore bureau, directing coverage of one of the region’s bellwether economies and Southeast Asia's main financial hub. This ranges from macroeconomics to monetary policy, property, politics, public health and socioeconomic issues. She also keeps an eye on things that are unique to Singapore, such as how it repealed an anti-gay sex law but goes against global trends by maintaining policies unfavourable to LGBT families. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/even-singapore-lifts-gay-sex-ban-lgbt-families-feel-little-has-changed-2022-11-29/ Xinghui previously covered Asia for the South China Morning Post and has been in journalism for a decade.

Chen Lin was a reporter with the Singapore bureau until 2023, covering macroeconomics and general news in Singapore.

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China extends visa-free entry for 11 European countries until the end of 2025

China has extended visa-free travel for 11 European countries and Malaysia until the end of 2025.

The visa-free scheme has been announced in stages since the start of 2024 and was initially set to last for one year. It aims to encourage more people to visit China for business and tourism, and promote exchanges between Chinese citizens and foreign nationals.

Citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland will now be allowed to enter the country without a visa until the end of next year.

The aim is “to facilitate the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing on the initial announcement made in November.

Visa-free entry will be granted for up to 15 days in the trial programme.

International travel to China is yet to bounce back

China's strict pandemic measures , which included required quarantines for all arrivals, discouraged many people from visiting for nearly three years. The restrictions were lifted early last year, but international travel has yet to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels.

China previously allowed citizens of Brunei, Japan and Singapore to enter without a visa but suspended that after the COVID-19 outbreak. It resumed visa-free entry for Brunei and Singapore in July but has not done so for Japan.

In 2023, China recorded 35.5 million entries and exits by foreigners, according to immigration statistics. That compares to 97.7 million for all of 2019, the last year before the pandemic.

The government has been seeking foreign investment to help boost a sluggish economy, and some businesspeople have been coming for trade fairs and meetings, including Tesla's Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook. Foreign tourists are still a rare sight compared to before the pandemic.

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How else is China simplifying travel for Europeans?

Last year saw a surge in interest in China as a tourist destination among Europeans. 

Data from online travel agency  Trip.com showed a 663 per cent increase in overall bookings from Europe to China compared to 2022, and an almost 29 per cent increase on 2019.

The United Kingdom and Germany were among the top 10 sources of inbound travellers to China globally, the data shows. 

Shanghai remains the most popular destination among Europeans with its alluring blend of modernity and tradition, followed by Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Sanya, a beachside city on the southern end of China’s Hainan Island, and Chengdu - the capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province - are emerging destinations. 

Beyond it's new visa-free schemes, the country is further encouraging inbound tourism by promoting cultural and historical attractions in partnership with Trip.com. China is also enhancing tourism infrastructure by investing in technology, travel guides and e-payment systems.

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Surge in Chinese tourist arrivals in Singapore for Labour Day ‘Golden Week’

SINGAPORE – The post-pandemic return of Chinese tourists to Singapore surged during China’s five-day May Day holiday that started on May 1, with tour operators reporting that arrival numbers rose by at least 20 per cent during the period.

Trip.com Group, which operates Ctrip, the largest online travel agency in China, registered a 20 per cent increase in flight bookings to Singapore for the period of May 1 to May 5, compared with the same period in 2019.

“The removal of visa requirements that took effect in February is certainly a major contributing factor to the return of Chinese tourists to Singapore,” said Trip.com Singapore general manager Edmund Ong.

Chinese travel firm Tongcheng Travel said international flight and hotel bookings to Singapore through its online platform for May’s “Golden Week” holiday more than doubled year on year, according to a spokesperson for the company.

Meanwhile, travel booking site Klook said it observed an increase of over 80 per cent in Chinese traveller bookings for experiences, which include attractions and tours, and hotels for the period of May 1 to 5, compared with the five days prior.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said visitor arrival figures for the first week of May were not yet available.

Mr Andrew Phua, STB’s executive director for Greater China, said: “As outbound travel from China and flight connectivity continue to pick up, the recovery of Chinese visitor arrivals and spending in Singapore should follow.”

Mr Phua noted that the 30-day mutual visa exemption between Singapore and China, which took effect on Feb 9 before the Chinese New Year holidays this year, will “also continue to increase Singapore’s attractiveness as a tourist destination for Chinese visitors”.

Before the visa scheme, Chinese citizens required a visa to enter Singapore, while Singaporeans holding ordinary passports enjoyed a 15-day visa waiver.

Visitorship from China recovered to near pre-pandemic levels in February 2024. Mr Phua said the figure was approximately 327,000 – 96 per cent of February 2019’s arrivals.

First-quarter arrivals from China in 2024 stood at 786,000, with tourists staying an average of 3.92 days, he added. In comparison, STB figures show that Singapore saw 960,000 incoming Chinese visitors in the first quarter of 2019.

STB’s efforts to attract Chinese tourists have included a 33-hour live-stream countdown to Taylor Swift’s concert in Singapore in partnership with Universal Music China Group and Chinese video-sharing site Bilibili.

Mr Phua said that STB also collaborates regularly with personalities and influencers, and will continue to do so, “to establish Singapore as a top-of-mind destination”.

Taiwanese diva A-Lin’s concert in Singapore on May 4 likely drew more Chinese tourists to Singapore as well.

Anecdotally, travel operators in Singapore have seen an uptick in Chinese visitors for the Labour Day holiday, compared with a month earlier.

Oriental Travels and Tours CEO Stanley Foo said tour bookings from Chinese tourists rose about 30 per cent during the five-day holiday, while EU Holidays director Fiona Ma said there was a 30 to 50 per cent increase in group tour bookings from Chinese tourists for the Labour Day holiday period.

Chinese tourists travelling to Singapore appear to have a preference for small-group travel and customised itineraries, said STB’s Mr Phua, citing key pandemic trends observed in China’s domestic tourism market.

Mr Foo said that generally, tourists from China tend to be families or couples who usually tour Singapore for two to three days, and are drawn to popular attractions like Gardens by the Bay.

They often visit other South-east Asian countries, and “Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand is almost a standard route for many of them”, he added, noting that these countries also have visa exemptions for Chinese tourists.

Similarly, Ms Ma said Singapore was often the first point of arrival for many of these groups, who often go on to visit Malaysia or Indonesia before returning to Singapore, and returning to China from here.

Tour groups are spending fewer nights in Singapore compared with prior years. “(This) could be due to the strength of our currency against our neighbour Malaysia,” she said.

While Singapore is now more expensive to visit, the Chinese tourists that ST spoke to were drawn to the island for various reasons.

Mr Jacob Chen, 27, who was in town for five days from May 2, said it was his first overseas trip, and he chose Singapore because many people here can speak Mandarin. It is also a safe destination to visit, he added.

Mr Chen, who is from Shenzhen and works in information security, particularly enjoyed the island’s greenery. “Singapore is very beautiful. There are so many trees everywhere along the roads, and so many parks.”

Ms Fion Chen, a bank clerk in her 40s from Shenzhen, was here mainly to sightsee. “Singapore is very nice, but it is hot. While it is also hot in China, it is even hotter here,” she said, adding that she was wary of getting sunburnt.

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