MFA confirms new China visa rules for S'poreans from July 1
THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday confirmed that China has temporarily suspended the visa-free facility for Singaporeans who plan to travel to the country for 15 days or less, from July 1.
This means that Singapore ordinary passport holders will require a visa for entry into China for short stays of under two weeks, which is not necessary since 2003.
An MFA spokesman said the ministry was informed of the new requirement on Monday.
'We have been given the assurance that the visa requirement is a temporary measure. The visa-free facility for travels of 15 days or less would be reinstated after the Beijing Olympics,' added the spokesman.
'The Chinese authorities have not informed us of the exact date when the visa-free facility will be reinstated.'
The new visa ruling followed a recent announcement from China that it has stopped issuing multiple-entry tourist visas until after the Olympic Games.
These new steps are said to be in line with growing security concerns over the August Beijing Olympics and the unrest in Tibet.
Source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...7.html?vgnmr=1 
