Skip to content

Ikky In China

Discover culture, navigate daily life, and thrive in the Middle Kingdom

Primary Menu
  • Living in China
    • Visa Guide
    • Housing
    • Banking & Money
    • Healthcare
    • Education
    • Permanent Residence
  • Business & Career
    • Job Opportunities
    • Business Culture
    • Networking
  • Travel & Culture
    • Flights to China
    • Cultural Guide
    • Language Learning
  • About Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • 2023
  • January
  • 10
  • Chinese visa issuance suspended in Japan and South Korea
  • China

Chinese visa issuance suspended in Japan and South Korea

Ikky Ma January 10, 2023
Q2_Chinese_Visa

In its first reprisal against the flurry of Covid-19 entrance restrictions imposed by governments against Chinese travelers in recent weeks, Beijing has suspended Chinese visa issuance for visitors from Japan and South Korea.

In the COVID-19 testing station at Incheon International Airport, quarantine officials are seen preparing for a PCR test for travelers arriving from China. Kim Jae-Hwan–SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

The Chinese embassy in Seoul stated on Tuesday that it would no longer provide short-term visas to South Korean travelers, following Beijing’s threat to impose tougher entrance conditions on Chinese visitors in response to the outbreak of diseases in the country.

In a note posted to WeChat, the embassy stated it would begin reissuing visas after South Korea eliminated its “discriminatory entry restrictions against China”.

According to the Japan Association of Travel Agents, China also began limiting traffic from Japan on Tuesday, stating that the Chinese visa center had stopped processing visa applications for Japanese travelers except for those entering for humanitarian reasons. The visa center did not respond to requests for comment.

Beijing has reacted by accusing governments of “political manipulation” in imposing entry requirements. Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesperson, reiterated China’s threat to “take reciprocal measures” on Monday.

Throughout the pandemic, China has maintained the most stringent entry requirements for international travelers among major economies, requiring hotel quarantines of up to three weeks. The quarantine rules were lifted by Beijing this month, but arrivals still require a negative PCR test before flying, in accordance with some of the restrictions imposed on Chinese travelers.

Nonetheless, some countries have launched a charm offensive to entice Chinese tourists to return to their shores following nearly three years of closed borders and disrupted travel.

On Monday, a group of Thai cabinet ministers welcomed the first group of Chinese tourists to Bangkok with flowers and gift bags. Thailand is heavily reliant on tourism revenue, and Chinese visitors accounted for roughly one-third of all visitors prior to the pandemic.

Thailand announced a requirement for proof of vaccination last week before canceling it on Monday when it was set to go into effect.

About the Author

Ikky Ma

Administrator

This page features all articles and posts by Ikky, the owner of the blog named ikkyinchina.com

Visit Website View All Posts

Post navigation

Previous: Flights to China from Vietnam: more Vietnamese airlines will fly on Sunday
Next: How To Get An English PCR Report In China: A Step-By-Step Guide

Related Stories

Hair transplant in China
  • China

Hair transplant in China: cost, clinics, techniques and travel guide

Ikky Ma October 9, 2025
medical insurance for expats in China
  • China

Understanding medical insurance for expats in China

Ikky Ma October 8, 2025
US to China Flight Routes
  • China

Best US to China Flight Routes and Booking Guide

Ikky Ma October 7, 2025

You may have missed

Hair transplant in China
  • China

Hair transplant in China: cost, clinics, techniques and travel guide

Ikky Ma October 9, 2025
medical insurance for expats in China
  • China

Understanding medical insurance for expats in China

Ikky Ma October 8, 2025
US to China Flight Routes
  • China

Best US to China Flight Routes and Booking Guide

Ikky Ma October 7, 2025
Direct Flights to Chengdu
  • China

Direct Flights to Chengdu: Airlines, Routes, and Travel Guide

Ikky Ma October 6, 2025
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube