China has expanded its visa-free transit policy to include citizens from Norway. When Norway joins China’s visa-free list, tourists in Beijing can now navigate the city’s massive subway network with greater ease.
9th September, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with President Xi Jinping of China. During the meeting the Chinese President announced that Norwegians will be permitted to travel to China without needing to apply for a visa.
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Already from 13 September, international credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard have been accepted at subway turnstiles, allowing travelers to simply “tap and go” without the need for purchasing ticket from vending machines. This new feature was made possible through the upgrading of over 20,000 facilities across 490 stations on Beijing’s 27 subway lines.
On 17 November, the official announcement of the Chinese National Immigration Administration, stated that China has expanded its visa-free transit policy to include citizens from Norway for a 72/144-hour stay.
‘It was a very constructive, candid and detailed meeting. This year marks 70 years since diplomatic relations were established between our two countries. We talked both about areas where there is good cooperation between Norway and China, and about issues where our views diverge,’ said Prime Minister Støre.
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Dennis Chang, MasterCard’s executive vice president for Greater China, praised the initiative, noting how its streamlines travel for visitors eliminates cumbersome steps. This move also aligns with Beijing’s broader strategy to position itself as an international exchange center.
International travelers are allowed to transit in 20 cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Xiamen, Wuhan and Kunming, up to 144 hours visa-free. Norwegian citizens holding valid international travel documents will be able to enjoy a 72/144-hour stay in the above-mentioned cities without a visa, provided they hold an connecting ticket with the confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region within the time limit. During the stay, they are allowed to engage in short-term activities such as travel and business visits.
Beijing is the first city in mainland China to adopt the ‘tap and go’ system, making it more accessible for foreign tourists. Norway is one of the latest countries added to the list, along with Poland and Australia. This has significantly boosted tourism, with inbound trips by foreigners reaching 17.3 million between January and July 2024—a 183% increase from the previous year.
The new visa-free travel option for Norwegian citizens, combined with the more convenient public transport system, makes China even more accessible. As China continues to open up to international visitors, improvements like these enhance the overall travel experience for millions of tourists.
The Chinese Embassy in Norway will, as always, provide convenience and assistance for visa applications to China. You can log on to the official website of the National Immigration Administration for more details. https://en.nia.gov.cn/
Norway Joins China’s Visa-Free List, reported by Tor Kjolberg