Tourists from New Zealand will be able to visit China for up to 15 days without a visa from 1 July. Photo: 123RF
China's pilot visa-free policy for New Zealanders will take effect from 1 July, according to an announcement by the Chinese Embassy on social media late Tuesday.
The visa-free policy will be in place for travellers from New Zealand, Australia, and Poland through the end of next year, the embassy said.
"From 1 July, 2024, to 31 December, 2025, ordinary passport holders from the above countries who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days can enter China without a visa," the embassy post said.
"People from the above-mentioned countries who do not meet the conditions for visa exemption still need to apply for a visa before entering China."
The visa-free policy was announced by Chinese premier Li Qiang during his official visit to New Zealand earlier this month.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson welcomed the announcement.
"This is a welcome development for short-term visitors to China travelling for business or leisure," the spokesperson said. "It will further strengthen people-to-people connections between New Zealand and China."
Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said China's visa-free policy has attracted attention from "all walks of life in New Zealand".
"The number of people searching for information about traveling to China has increased sharply, and they look forward to an early implementation of the visa-free policy," Wang said.
"This fully demonstrates the strong will of all walks of life in New Zealand to further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and promote people-to-people connectivity."