In the first quarter of this year, the number of foreigners coming to China has increased by more than three times compared to the same period in 2023, with a significant rise in the number of visa-exempt entries. The warming of inbound tourism in China benefits from the increasing convenience of travel, which is inseparable from the continuous expansion of China's visa-free "circle of friends" and the convenience measures provided for foreign tourists in various places.
今年一季度，外国人来华数量较2023年同期增长3倍多，免签入境外国人数大幅上升。中国入境旅游升温，得益于旅行的便利度越来越高，这离不开中国免签的“朋友圈”不断扩大，和各地为外国旅客提供的便利措施。
●Introduction of measures to optimize visas for coming to China
●推出来华签证优化措施
To facilitate the exchanges between China and other countries, China has introduced the "three reductions and three exemptions" policy, which includes reducing the content of visa application forms, temporarily reducing visa fees, simplifying the approval procedures for international students coming to China, exempting some applicants from fingerprint collection, waiving visa appointments, and piloting unilateral visa exemption policies for countries such as France and Germany. Up to now, China's 72/144-hour transit visa exemption policy has been extended to 54 countries.
为便利中外人员往来，中国推出“三减三免”，即减少签证申请表填报内容、阶段性调减签证费、简化来华留学生审批手续、免采部分申请人指纹、免签证预约、对法德等国试行单方面免签政策。截至目前，中国72/144小时过境免签政策适用国家已扩展至54国。
●Release of the Payment Guide for Foreigners Coming to China
●发布外籍来华人员支付指南
In March of this year, the People's Bank of China issued the "Payment Guide for Foreigners Coming to China," introducing the ways to obtain and the usage processes of five types of payment services, including mobile payments, bank cards, and cash. At present, foreign tourists can download payment tools such as Alipay and WeChat, which support the binding of international bank cards; moreover, there are more than 30 electronic wallets available for use within the country.
今年3月，中国人民银行发布《外籍来华人员支付指南》，介绍移动支付、银行卡、现金等5种支付服务的获取方式和使用流程。目前，外籍旅客下载支付宝、微信等支付工具，支持绑定国际银行卡；更有超30个电子钱包可在境内使用。
Travelers who do not wish to activate international roaming can bring their passport or Foreigner's Permanent Residence Identity Card to the business halls of telecommunications companies such as China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Broadcasting Network to apply for a mobile phone SIM card and open mobile communication services. Some operators also set up service windows or counters at airports for the convenience of travelers to handle as needed.
不想开通国际漫游的旅客，可携带护照或外国人永久居留身份证，前往中国电信、中国移动、中国联通、中国广电等电信企业的营业厅申请办理手机SIM卡，开通移动通信服务。部分运营商还在机场设置办理窗口或柜台，方便旅客按需办理。
●Improving Service Standards
●提升接待服务水平
Not long ago, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Commerce, and the National Immigration Administration jointly stated that hotels should not refuse to serve overseas personnel on the grounds of lacking foreign-related qualifications, and proposed to coordinate online platforms to open a series of courses such as hotel English, providing free training for operators on hotel English for registration, room reservation, etc.
前不久，公安部、商务部、国家移民管理局三部门联合表态，旅馆业不得以无涉外资质为由拒绝接待境外人员，并提出将协调网络运营平台开设酒店英语等系列课程，免费为经营者提供登记入住、预订客房等酒店英语培训。
●Local Convenience Measures for Foreign Tourists
●各地推出针对外国游客的便利措施
In Shanghai, many taxis have set up card swiping machines to facilitate foreign tourists who do not have mobile payment software or are more accustomed to swiping bank cards. In April of this year, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor launched an overseas integrated service platform to help overseas tourists book tickets online, covering 24 languages and 29 currencies in 39 countries and regions. Behind the expansion of China's visa-free "circle of friends" is the confidence of China to promote high-level opening up, strengthen international exchange and cooperation, and the original intention of making friends with the world and sharing the benefits globally. As more and more "say go, go" foreign tourists enter China conveniently, feeling the rich, colorful, and intuitive contemporary China, it is really "City"!
在上海，许多出租车设置了刷卡机，方便没有手机支付软件或者更习惯于刷银行卡的外国游客。今年4月，秦始皇帝陵博物院开通境外融合服务平台，帮助境外游客进行在线票务预订，覆盖39个国家和地区的24种语言、29种货币。中国免签的“朋友圈”扩容的背后，彰显了中国推进高水平对外开放、加强国际交流合作的信心，以及广交天下客、开放惠全球的初心。当越来越多“说走就走”的外国游客便捷地进入中国，感受丰富多彩、直观立体的当代中国，真的好“City”！
We hope to attract more foreign friends to visit China. If you are interested in studying, working, and living in China, you need to apply for a visa to China and can consult SFBC~
希望吸引更多外国朋友到访中国如果有兴趣想在中国学习、工作、生活的话需办理来华签证可以咨询SFBC~
What should be noted when applying for a visa to China?
那来华签证的申请应该注意哪些呢？
1.Confirm the type of visa application, as an incorrect type may lead to the visa being returned.
1.确认好签证申请的类型，类型错误可能导致签证办理退回。
2.Arrange the time for visa application according to the itinerary, and prepare in advance to avoid the visa not being issued in time and delaying the trip.
2. 根据行程安排好签证申请的时间，提前做好准备，以免签证不能及时签发而耽误行程。
3.Fill in the application form truthfully, completely, and clearly.
3. 如实，完整，清晰的填写申请表格。
4.The application materials need to be genuine and complete. If the materials are incomplete or forged, the application will be refused or the visa will be denied.
4. 申请材料需要真实而齐备。材料不齐或伪造材料的，将会拒绝办理或拒签。
5.The type of visa, number of times, validity period, and duration of stay are determined by the visa officer according to relevant regulations and in combination with the applicant's request, so the applicant needs to confirm the required validity period and duration of stay in advance.
5. 签证种类，次数，有效期，停留期是由签证官员根据相关规定并结合申请人的请求而决定，因此申请人需提前确认自己所需申请的有效期和停留期。
What should be prepared for the visa application materials?
签证申请材料又该准备哪些呢？
1.Passport
1.护照
2.Application form and photo
2.申请表和照片
3.Legal stay or residence certificate (for those applying for a visa outside their country of nationality): If you are applying for a visa outside your country of nationality, you need to provide the original and a copy of a valid certificate or valid visa for legal stay, residence, work, or study in the country where you are.
3. 合法停留或居留证明（适用于不在国籍国申请签证者）：如您不在国籍国申请签证，您需提供在所在国合法停留、居留、工作、学习的有效证明或有效签证的原件和复印件
4.Original Chinese passport or original Chinese visa (for those who once had Chinese nationality and later joined a foreign nationality)
4. 原中国护照或原中国签证（适用于曾有中国国籍，后加入外国国籍者）
5.Other supporting documents required for various types of visas (examples are as follows):
5. 其他各类签证需要的支持性文件（举例如下）：
L Tourist Visa—Round-trip air tickets and hotel booking orders, etc., itinerary materials or an invitation letter from within China
L旅游签—往返机票和酒店景订单等行程材料或中国境内邀请函
M Business Visa—Activity documents issued by trade partners and invitation letters, etc.
M商务签—贸易合作方出具的活动文件以及邀请函等
Q Family Visit Visa—Relationship proof, invitation letter, ID card of the Chinese inviter, etc.
Q探亲签—关系证明，邀请函，中国邀请方身份证等
Finally, what should be noted when entering China?
最后看看入境中国需要注意哪些？
1.Hold a valid passport and visa. Foreigners coming to China need to confirm that their Chinese visa is still valid and the number of times is sufficient.
1.持有有效护照和签证。外国人来华需要确认自己的中国签证仍在有效期内且次数足够。
2.Comply with the relevant regulations of Chinese customs when entering the country, and do not carry prohibited items. After entering the country, comply with Chinese law and do not engage in illegal activities.
2.入境遵守中国海关相关规定，禁止携带违禁品。入境后遵守中国法律，禁止从事非法活动。
3.Declare personal information, and fill in the entry card and declare personal information when entering the country.
3.申报个人信息，入境时需要填写入境卡，并申报个人信息。
4.Complete the accommodation registration within 24 hours after entering the country.
4. 入境后24小时做好住宿登记。
5.Foreigners who need to change their residence permits should change them in time and pay attention to the validity period of the residence permit.
5.需更换居留许可的外籍人士应及时更换居留许可，并注意居留许可的有效期。
