Chinese group tourists to be offered temporary visa-free entry to Korea from Sept. 29
This photo shows a street in the popular tourist district of Myeongdong in central Seoul, Aug. 29. Yonhap
A temporary visa waiver program for Chinese group tourists who visit Korea will begin later this month, officials said Sunday, as part of efforts to boost the nation's tourism market.
Under the visa-free program, a group of Chinese tourists with more than three people can travel to Korea without visas for as many as 15 days from Sept. 29 to June next year, according to a joint statement by justice, culture and other ministries.
In August, Korea unveiled the decision after China announced in November last year that it will waive visa requirements for visitors from Korea and several other countries, effective through the end of next year.
As part of efforts to prevent illegal stay, the justice ministry has required Korean travel agencies to register a list of their tourists on a government website a day before their entry.
The temporary visa-free program is expected to help spur the nation's tourism industry as China marks a holiday early next month, analysts said.