Singapore | Mutual visa exemption agreement with China effective Feb. 9

Singaporean officials announced the agreement with China for a 30-day mutual visa exemption policy will go into effect on Feb. 9.

‌Key Points:

• As BAL previously reported, the reciprocal visa exemption arrangement was announced in December.
• Effective Feb. 9, holders of ordinary passports from Singapore and China will be exempt from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in the other country.

Additional Information: Chinese travelers are currently required to apply for visas to visit Singapore, and Singaporean nationals have a 15-day visa exemption policy to visit China. Under long-standing agreements, holders of diplomatic, public affairs and service passports issued in China are exempt from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in Singapore. Holders of all other Chinese travel documents must continue to apply for an entry visa before travel into Singapore until Feb. 9.

BAL Analysis: The mutual visa exemption policy is intended to further facilitate cross-border travel and economic development between Singapore and China. The new agreement should strengthen bilateral relations and economic ties between the two nations.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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