In a bid to boost tourism in the country, China has granted visa-free entry for one year to tourists from several countries to stay in the country for up to 15 days, Travel and Leisure Asia reported on Saturday.

Travellers from Malaysia, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and France are now permitted to stay in China for up to 15 days without requiring a visa.

China has signed permanent visa-free agreements with Singapore and Thailand for 2024 enabling tourists from both nations to travel for 30 days without a visa.

The country’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) on January 11 announced several new rules and procedures to smoothen the visa acquiring process.

The NIA will now allow visa extension, replacement and issuance at local immigration departments for foreign nationals visiting or staying in China for non-official and non-diplomatic purposes.

China also relaxed port visa applications, also known as visa-on-arrival, making it more accessible for eligible travellers.

Likewise, foreign nationals transiting directly within 24 hours from the nine major airports in Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Shenzhen Bao’an, Chengdu Tianfu, Shanghai Pudong, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Xi’an Xianyang, Xiamen Gaoqi and Guangzhou Baiyun will not need to undergo border check procedures.

The NIA has also introduced the multiple-entry visa to provide more flexibility for travelers while documents required for visa application have also been changed.