Events

MINSK, 2 July (BelTA) – Belarus has ratified the intergovernmental agreement on visa-free travel with China for holders of ordinary passports, BelTA learned.

The relevant has been officially published on the national legal Internet portal, which means that it was signed by President Alexander Lukashenko. The House of Representatives ratified the agreement on 27 June, the Council of the Republic on 28 June.

As reported on 27 June, the Chinese side, according to the preliminary information, plans to perform the necessary procedures to ratify it within two weeks. The agreement will enter into force within 30 days after the parties implement the ratification procedures and notify each other. In line with the document, Belarusians will be able to stay in China visa free for up to 30 days during one trip, but not more than 90 days a year. The same rule will apply to Chinese citizens. If a person wants to stay in the country for more than 30 days or engage in educational and professional activities, he or she will need a special visa. Visa-free travel covers private trips, business trips, and tourist trips.

The intergovernmental agreement on mutual visa-free travel for ordinary citizens of Belarus and China was signed in Qingdao on 10 June during the working visit of the Belarusian president to China. Belarus is among the few European countries enjoying a visa-free regime with China.