S. Korea to begin temporary visa waiver for Chinese tour groups in late September
SEOUL: South Korea will launch a temporary visa waiver programme for Chinese group tourists starting late September, aimed at boosting domestic spending and tourism, Yonhap news agency quoted officials on Wednesday (Aug 6).
The visa-free entry will be available from Sept 29 to June 30 next year, following a decision made during a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, his office said.
The move follows China's decision in November to waive visa requirements for South Korean visitors and several other nationalities until the end of 2025.
The Chinese policy allows up to 15-day stays without a visa.
Seoul had been reviewing a reciprocal step for Chinese group travellers.
"With inbound tourism recovering, the visa waiver is expected to boost travel demand, revitalise regional economies and spur domestic consumption,' a government official said.
The government also plans to expand eligibility for fast-track immigration screening for foreigners attending international conferences.
The current pilot scheme applies to events with at least 500 foreign participants. Officials said the threshold will be lowered to 300. - Bernama-Yonhap, China, Kim Min Seok, visa waiver, group tourists, tourism
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