The Chinese government announced on Monday an extension of its 240-hour visa-free transit program to more ports of entry. China will also extend its unilateral visa waiver agreements for more than 40 countries until December 31, 2026.

The ports recently added to the program include Guangzhou, Zhuhai’s Hengqin, and Zhongshan, as well as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail link, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

The new policy took effect on Wednesday, November 5, and is expected to increase the total number of eligible ports across China for 240-hour visa-free transit from 60 to 65.

Under this policy, travelers from 55 eligible countries who meet certain criteria will be able to enter China through any of these ports in 24 provincial-level regions and stay in the country for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa before continuing on to a third destination, according to the NIA.

The measure is one of 10 new policies regarding “departure and arrival management to further facilitate travel to and from the country for both Chinese citizens and foreigners.”

The National Immigration Authority (NIA) also announced that starting November 20, foreigners visiting China will have the option to complete their entry cards online before arrival, or they can choose to fill them out on-site using electronic devices provided at inspection points, or opt for traditional paper entry cards.

M.Pino

Source: xinhuanet

(Reference image source: vista pan on Unsplash)

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Israel announced on Wednesday that it will allow visa-free entry to US citizens, including Palestinians with dual citizenship, after reaching an agreement to join the US Visa Waiver Program, which will be reciprocal.

The Israeli ambassador in Washington, Michael Herzog, and his US counterpart, Tom Nides, have signed a memorandum of understanding on this matter, which allows travel for tourism, business and airport transit for less than 90 days.

Herzog has indicated that he has had “the privilege of representing the Israeli Government” in this signing”, which he has described as an “important milestone for Israel to join the program”, as indicated on his profile on the social network Twitter.

The United States government has explained that US citizens will be able to take advantage of these measures as of July 20, when Israel’s change in short-term travel procedures comes into force.

However, the Israeli government is working “closely” with the US State Department in “its efforts” to meet the necessary requirements to enter the program. Thus, Washington “will monitor the implementation of its policies.”

The spokesman for the US State, Matthew Miller, has welcomed Israel’s announcement to change travel procedures for short visits to the country, considering that it is about “guaranteeing equal treatment for all US citizens, regardless of origin, religion or ethnicity.”

“The updated travel policies (…) will allow all US citizens to travel to Israel through all ports of entry,” Miller explained, referring to the inclusion of Palestinian US citizens living in the Palestinian territories.

The director of the Israeli National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, explained that the “full application of the procedure will be addressed to any American, regardless of who they are, including Americans with dual citizenship, Americans living in Judea and Samaria (the Biblical name for the West Bank) and Americans living in the Gaza Strip,” reported The Jerusalem Post.

Source: dpa

(Reference image source: Briana Tozour, Unsplash)

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