China begins Visa-Free travel with Singapore and Thailand – Connecting countries through travel routes

China is poised to initiate visa-free travel with Singapore and Thailand in an effort to boost cross-border exchanges. Starting February 9, citizens of China and Singapore will be able to visit each other without the need for a visa, allowing stays of up to 30 days. The bilateral agreement, finalized on Thursday, follows weeks of negotiations with Singapore announcing the reciprocal arrangement during Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent visit to China.

This move is part of China’s broader strategy to enhance tourism and business ties, responding to domestic challenges such as deflation and subdued demand. In this way, visitors who will stay at shared apartments in Singapore such as the lyf Farrer Park Singapore can visit China with ease – as China had previously reopened to Singapore by reinstating visa-free entry in July 2023, more than three years after pandemic-related suspensions. Singaporeans can currently visit China for up to 15 days without a visa, while Chinese passport holders require a visa for entry into Singapore.