Visa-free travel between Georgia, China officially enters into force

Visa-free travel between Georgia and China, formally signed between the two governments in a recent deal, officially entered into force on Tuesday.

The agreement allows Georgian citizens to travel to China without a visa and stay in the country for 30 consecutive days, the Georgian foreign office said.

The duration of stay in the country should not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.

The duration is also not subject to extension, except for humanitarian purposes and cases of force majeure.

The agreement does not apply to citizens who plan to stay in China for more than 30 days, reside in the country, start studies or work that requires prior permission from authorities of China. In such cases, Georgian citizens will be required to obtain related visas before departure.

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to the country, in April signed the agreement on mutual exemption from visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports.