Interior Ministry Aryeh Deri on Monday morning 29 Iyar, met with Chinese Ambassador Zhan Yongxin and informed him that ten-year entry visas will soon be printed for Chinese tourists. Israeli tourists will also receive 10-year visas. Up until now, Chinese and Israeli tourists wishing to travel to the two countries received three-month visas only. Population and Immigration Authority Director General Amnon Ben-Ami, and Authority and Chinese Embassy personnel, also attended the meeting.

Minister Deri’s proposal will soon be discussed by the Knesset Interior Committee and afterwards will be submitted for Cabinet approval. Upon Cabinet approval, the Minister will sign the order.

This is a reciprocal agreement between the Chinese and Israeli governments, which was signed on 29 March 2016, and which will allow the citizens of both countries to receive multiple-entry visas valid for ten years. Tourists will be allowed to remain in the countries for up to 90 days at any one time.

A global study shows that in 2014, 117 million Chinese citizens traveled outside of China. Chinese tourists tend to travel more in organized groups than independently although recently there has been an increase in independent tourism, especially by younger, better educated and more affluent tourists.

Minister Deri expressed his satisfaction over progress in the process and told the Chinese Ambassador, “China is a very important country and we are starting a new and important track with the Chinese government. It is essential that as many Chinese tourists come to Israel as possible. This is a move that will greatly assist Israeli and Chinese tourism and will significantly contribute to bilateral relations and the economies of both countries.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)