China extends visa-free policy for 9 countries starting Friday

China has expanded its visa-free policy to nine more countries, including Slovakia, Norway, and Finland, starting Friday, allowing visitors to stay for up to 15 days.

The extended visa-free policy, effective from November 8, 2024, to December 31, 2025, aims to boost tourism and international exchange.

This is part of China’s broader initiative to expand its visa-free policy, which is now being trialled for citizens holding ordinary passports from 29 countries, including several European nations and South Korea.

"I’m from Germany, visiting here. We have a local business here and we're meeting our colleagues and customers. Yes, it (visa-free policy) makes it much more convenient and easier to enter China, and we are happy about that,” said a visitor. "Yes, so we came to China because of the free visa policy, so we don't need a visa to come here," said another visitor.

"There has been lots of options. We're actually doing a ten-day tour here, which is really good. So, we're very excited and we have also got a family who are coming next year to do the same tour,” said a visitor.

Beijing's immigration authorities have reported a significant increase in international visitors, attributing the rise to the policy.

According to Zhao Kun, an instructor at the Beijing General Station of Immigration Inspection, over 15.3 million people have passed through the station as of October 31, 2024, with more than 2.02 million inbound foreign visitors a 142-percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The visa-free policy has seen particularly strong uptake, with foreign visitors nearly doubling in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

To improve the entry experience for foreign travelers, Beijing's immigration authorities have rolled out measures to streamline the border inspection process.

"To ensure a smooth border inspection process, the Beijing General Station of Immigration Inspection has added inspection channels and waiting areas at high-traffic checkpoints. It has also implemented a 'double-row inspection' mode to improve inspection efficiency. Additionally, we also set up a multilingual service team, with officers fluent in foreign languages providing front-line services (to assist passengers with inquiries and guidance),” said Zhao.

China's relaxed visa policies, including the restoration of transit visas in 2023, have boosted tourism and economic growth.

Data from the National Immigration Administration shows that in 2023, foreign visitors spent an average of 487 U.S. dollars per day while in China, contributing more than 100 billion yuan (approximately 14 billion U.S. dollars) to local businesses.

China extends visa-free policy for 9 countries starting Friday

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests