Categories: Latest NewsSingapore

S’porean Flies To China, Gets Told Upon Reaching That She Needs A Visa

Singaporean Woman Informed Of Visa Requirement After Reaching China

Upon reaching China, a Singaporean woman was shocked to find she needed a visa to enter the country.

She ultimately had to return to Hong Kong, where she had arrived from.

Detailing her experience to Shin Min Daily News, the woman said other Singaporean tourists at the scene were also unaware of the requirement.

Authorities inform woman of visa requirement after reaching China

On 8 Feb, the woman boarded a flight from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, China, for a business trip.

Source: 李大毛 没有猫 on Unsplash

When she reached, authorities informed her at customs that she would need a visa to enter the country.

Taken aback, she said other Singaporean travellers in the area were similarly surprised by the requirement.

Eventually, the woman had to return to Hong Kong but could not book an appointment to apply for a visa as it was full.

The only opening for an appointment was the week after. To make matters worse, the woman said she had to prepare many documents for the visa, with approval taking 10 working days.

Visa-free entry not currently applicable

The woman pointed out that previously, Singaporean travellers entering China for a maximum stay of 15 days or a business trip did not require a visa.

While this is true, the official website for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced the suspension of visa-free entry from March 2020 onwards.

 

Currently, the website for the Chinese embassy in Singapore states that this suspension has not been lifted.

Essentially, Singaporeans must obtain a valid visa to enter China.

Enquiring around with her colleagues, the woman realised the same.

Her experience, she said, should be a reminder for Singaporeans travelling to China to apply for a visa.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured images adapted from MS News and 李大毛 没有猫 on Unsplash

Sudeshna Dhar

Sudeshna is a lover of all romcoms, especially Gone Girl (2014).

Recent Posts

Elderly man pickpocketed on bus from JB to S’pore, loses S$450 & has S$800 charged to credit card

The thief left the wallet and more than RM200 behind, presumably to mislead the 72-year-old…

23 Dec 2024, 1:38 pm

SingPost fires 3 senior executives citing gross negligence, CEO & CFO to contest termination

Earlier this year, three managers were found to have made manual updates on a customer’s…

23 Dec 2024, 12:14 pm

Passenger on US flight slammed for bringing Great Dane as ’emotional support’ dog

On the other hand, some said they'd prefer sitting next to a massive dog than…

23 Dec 2024, 10:12 am

Nearly 20 cats abandoned in Bedok flat filled with rubbish, some injured after jumping from windows

Some sustained injuries after jumping from windows, while others starved to death.

23 Dec 2024, 9:52 am