澳大利亞首次對外發10年簽證 現階段只對中國公民

The Australian government has formally started granting 10-year multi-entry tourist visas to Chinese visitors, the Embassy of China in Australia announced.

中國駐澳大利亞使館日前宣佈，澳大利亞政府已正式開始向中國旅客發放10年多次"常旅客簽證"。

This new visa initiative was first announced in June 2015, with Australian officials highlighting it as a reform, which is considered pivotal to the country's infrastructure modernization and future business development.

這項新的簽證計劃於2015年6月首次宣佈，而澳大利亞官員則強調其爲一項改革，並被認爲是該國的基礎設施現代化和未來業務發展的關鍵。

Under the Migration Legislation Amendment inked on Nov 10, Chinese citizens with the 10-year visas could enjoy multiple free entry permits during the validity period of the visa.

根據本月10日簽署的移民法修訂案，持有10年簽證的中國公民可在簽證有效期內免費多次入境。

Applicants for the new visas are required to go through medical examinations before they apply, and visa fees cost AU$1,000.

這種新型簽證的申請人需在申請前進行體檢，簽證費爲1000澳元(約合人民幣5058元)。

Meanwhile, the policy only applies for Chinese citizens who arrive in Australia by air.

同時，只有乘飛機入境澳大利亞的中國公民纔可申請此簽證。

Holders of the new visas are forbidden from working in Australia and that they cannot stay in Australia for more than three months at a time.

這種新型簽證的持有人不得在澳就業，單次入境在澳逗留時間不得超過3個月。

Besides Australia, the US, Canada and Singapore also have similar 10-year visa programs for Chinese nationals.

除了澳大利亞，美國、加拿大和新加坡也對中國公民實施了類似的10年簽證項目。