China has recently announced visa-free travel for Georgian citizens, as confirmed by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Following a government meeting, it was revealed that Georgians would be able to travel to China for up to 30 days without a visa, as reported by VisaGuide.World.
The Georgian Vice Prime Minister, Levan Davitashvili, disclosed that this new policy would be effective within a few days. This development is a reciprocation of Georgia’s decision last year to allow visa-free entry to Chinese nationals for up to 30 days, starting from September 2023. The mutual visa exemption aims to stimulate tourism and facilitate economic investments between the two countries.
Currently, Georgian passport holders can enjoy visa-free travel to 87 countries worldwide, provided their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their departure date. In addition, 24 countries offer e-visas to Georgian citizens, and 36 others provide visas on arrival. However, Georgian nationals still need to obtain traditional visas for traveling to 79 countries globally.
China’s recent visa policy changes extend beyond Georgia. The country has been lifting and easing visa restrictions for several other nations as part of its efforts to attract more international tourists. Last month, China and Singapore mutually lifted visa restrictions for 30-day stays, with the policy coming into effect on February 9. Similar visa-free entry arrangements are in the pipeline for Swiss and Irish citizens, and visa-entry rules for American tourists have been relaxed.
Moreover, starting in March, citizens of China and Thailand will enjoy mutual visa-free travel due to an agreement signed between their governments in January 2024. In 2023, China recorded nearly 35 million international visitor entries and exits, a 218.7 percent increase from 2022, although still below pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
This series of visa policy liberalizations by China reflects its strategy to revive international tourism and strengthen economic ties with various countries, including Georgia, Singapore, Switzerland, Ireland, the United States, and Thailand.
