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The Australian government has formally started granting 10-year multi-entry tourist visas to Chinese visitors, the Embassy of China in Australia announced on Saturday, November 19. This new visa initiative was first announced in June 2015, with Australian officials highlighting it as a reform, which is considered pivotal to the country's infrastructure modernization and future business development. Under the Migration Legislation Amendment inked on November 10, Chinese citizens with the 10-year visas could enjoy multiple free entry permits during the period. However, it is clearly stipulated in the agreement that holders of the new visas are forbidden from working in Australia and that they cannot stay in Australia for more than three months at a time. Meanwhile, the policy only applies for Chinese citizens who arrive in Australia by air. In addition, applicants for the new visas are required to go through medical examinations before they apply, and visa fees cost 1,000 Australian dollars, or some RMB 5,060. According to official figures, China is now Australia's most valuable tourism market, contributing RMB 25.5 billion to the Australian economy with over one million visitors in 2015. Besides Australia, the United States, Canada and Singapore also have similar 10-year visa programs for Chinese nationals. |
