Repeat short-haul visits by Chinese travellers to South Korea are expected to rise after Seoul eased multiple-entry visa rules, but analysts say the immediate impact may be limited because of growing competition from Southeast Asia and higher airfares linked to the US-Israeli war in Iran.
The South Korean embassy in Beijing announced that Chinese nationals who had previously visited South Korea would now be eligible for a five-year multiple-entry visa.
Those holding residency status in 14 major cities – including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou – could also apply for 10-year multiple-entry visas, the embassy said this week. In addition, employees of Chinese companies that have invested at least US$1 million in South Korea were also eligible for 10-year multiple-entry visas.
