China finally emerged from its self-imposed three years of COVID-19 isolation in early 2023, ceasing the requirement for arriving international travellers to undergo five days of mandatory quarantine on arrival, plus three further days of home isolation, from 8th January.
Though it was a major step towards border reopening, pre-departure PCR testing was still required and strict visa restrictions for foreign visitors remained in place initially, with tourism firmly off the cards.
That made the relaxation a benefit primarily for Chinese nationals, and foreign nationals holding residence permits.
Thankfully in March 2023 pre-departure PCR testing was then scrapped and tourism visas started to be issued once again, paving the way for a full reopening.
Singaporeans can now visit China visa-free
One final stumbling block for travel to and from China has been the delayed reintroduction of visa-free travel for Singapore citizens, but there’s now good news to report, starting this week.
Effective from Wednesday 26th July 2023, China is resuming 15-day visa-free travel for Singaporeans, once again permitting those holding ordinary Singapore passports to enter the country without a visa for tourism, family visits, business or transit, provided their stay in China is no more than 15 days.
This will restore hassle-free China trips for Singaporeans for the first time in over three years.
The benefit is only being restored for citizens of Singapore and Brunei at this stage – not Japanese travellers, who were also eligible prior to the pandemic.
“MFA welcomes China’s announcement that it will reinstate the 15-day visa-free arrangement for Singaporeans travelling to China with effect from 26 July 2023.
“This will facilitate people and business flows between our countries and pave the way for deeper bilateral cooperation.”
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Those holding other nationalities will still need to apply for a visa to visit China, except when travelling to Hainan Island, which allows those holding 59 nationalities to travel visa-free for up to 30 days, though onward travel from Hainan to Mainland China for non-Singaporeans is not permitted without a relevant visa.
Already have a visa?
If you have already obtained a visa to visit China, this remains valid even though it may not be necessary for your trip from 26th July 2023 onwards.
Additionally, visa applications that have already been made will continue to be processed normally.
It goes without saying though, that you don’t need to progress with any visa application plans for a tourism or business trip to China as a Singapore passport holder any more, provided you will arrive in the country from midnight on 26th July 2023 onwards, and your trip is 15 days or less.
That’s good news for many of our readers, who have been dreading the long lines and extensive waiting times at the Chinese visa centre on Robinson Road.
Spontaneous Escapes rates for August
Since it’s now a good time to consider a trip to China, it’s worth noting that many of SIA’s flights are currently offering 30% discounts on saver award tickets to and from the country as part of the Spontaneous Escapes promotion for travel in August 2023, including the A380’s 2017 Business Class for 30,100 miles each way.
In the Economy Class cabin, redemptions to Guangzhou or Chengdu come in at only 11,550 miles.
Here’s how the deal looks for China flights, including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai options.
Business Class
(August 2023)
| Singapore to Beijing | |||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft | Seats |
30,100 |
SQ802 SQ806 |
A350 MH A350 MH |
2018 RJ 2018 RJ |
| Beijing to Singapore | |||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft | Seats |
30,100 |
SQ801 SQ807 |
A350 MH A350 MH |
2018 RJ 2018 RJ |
| Singapore to Shanghai | |||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft | Seats |
30,100 |
SQ826 SQ830 SQ836 |
A350 MH A380 A350 MH |
2018 RJ 2017 J 2018 RJ |
| Shanghai to Singapore | |||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft | Seats |
30,100 |
SQ825 SQ827 SQ833 |
A350 MH A350 MH A380 |
2018 RJ 2018 RJ 2017 J |
Premium Economy Class
(August 2023)
| Singapore to Chengdu | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
18,550 |
SQ842 | A350 LH |
| Chengdu to Singapore | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
18,550 |
SQ843 | A350 LH |
| Singapore to Shanghai | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
24,150 |
SQ830 | A380 |
| Shanghai to Singapore | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
18,550 |
SQ833 | A380 |
Economy Class
(August 2023)
| Singapore to Guangzhou | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
11,550 |
SQ850 | A350 MH |
| Guangzhou to Singapore | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
11,550 |
SQ851 | A350 MH |
| Singapore to Chengdu | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
11,550 |
SQ842 | A350 LH |
| Singapore to Beijing | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
15,050 |
SQ802 SQ806 |
A350 MH A350 MH |
| Beijing to Singapore | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
15,050 |
SQ801 SQ807 |
A350 MH A350 MH |
| Singapore to Shanghai | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
15,050 |
SQ826 SQ830 SQ836 |
A350 MH A380 A350 MH |
| Shanghai to Singapore | ||
| Miles | Flights | Aircraft |
15,050 |
SQ825 SQ827 SQ833 |
A350 MH A350 MH A380 |
Unfortunately Singapore Airlines services to Chongqing, Shenzhen and Xiamen are suspended for the time being.
Scoot is also flying to several cities in China, including Haikou, Ningbo, Xi’an, Nanning and Shenyang, while Jetstar has restarted Singapore – Haikou services.
Pre-departure testing is still required
Back in early March, China scrapped mandatory pre-departure PCR testing for arrivals from Singapore and a range of other countries.
Instead only a negative ART test is required, which can be administered at home using a self test kit, within 48 hours of departure. Travellers aged two and under are exempt from this requirement.
Airlines are not required to check the test result.
ART test kits in Singapore are widely available for around S$5 each.
While not required, a clinic ART test or clinic PCR test with a negative result certificate is also acceptable, but less convenient and more costly, so these are unlikely to be of interest to travellers now that a simple self-swab will suffice.
Passengers must also complete an “Exit/Entry Health Declaration Form” and present a QR code before departure. The form can be obtained here, or from the WeChat app ‘Customs Passenger Fingertip Service’.
Finally Singaporeans can enjoy hassle-free China trips once again from Wednesday 26th July 2023, with the 15-day visa-free entry approval reinstated.
That will save the time and expense of obtaining a visa in advance, currently required for all China trips with the exception of those to Hainan Island.
Singapore Airlines is currently offering a 30% redemption discount on many of its China flights for travel in August 2023, including Business Class from 30,100 miles, so now could be a good time to snap up these tickets for a long-awaited China trip, especially if you have expiring miles on the horizon.
(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)
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