China and Australia announce 5-year Multiple Entry Visas for its citizens

On Friday (21 June), the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the issuance of multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years to “better facilitate personal exchanges” between China and Australia.

This new visa arrangement follows a landmark visit by China's Premier Li Qiang to Australia earlier in the week, which marked a significant step toward stabilizing previously tense bilateral relations.

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Premier Li Qiang made the announcement during a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra. The visa program will cater to tourism, business, and family visits. Additionally, China will include Australia in its visa waiver program, as stated by Premier Qiang.

Initially, China had introduced a visa-free policy on a trial basis, set to expire on November 30 this year. However, this period has now been extended until December 31, 2025.

In last November, China began a one-year trial for visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.

This program was expanded in March this year to include Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Recently, Australia and New Zealand have been added to this list with the new agreement.