---

FSM Requests for Consultation towards FSM-China Visa Agreement

Beijing, China (FSM Embassy): March 16, 2009 - The FSM Embassy in Beijing, through the diplomatic channels, has requested the Counselor Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China for consultations regarding a possible agreement between the two nations for reciprocal visa exemption. Through a list that was provided to the Embassy from the Counselor Department, China has agreements with sixty-six countries exempting visa requirements. Most of the countries listed as having agreements with China have waived visa requirements for Official and Diplomatic Passport holders.

Currently, the FSM does not require Chinese National to acquire Visa prior to entry into the FSM. The current practice is that foreign visitors are issued an entry permit upon arrival as long as they possess a valid passport and roundtrip ticket. As for FSM citizens visiting China, all FSM passport holders are required to apply and acquire Visa prior to their arrival in China. With the increasing number of visits to China by FSM Officials and citizens, the Embassy hopes that based on the principal of reciprocity, China would consider entering into a visa waiver agreement with the FSM. Currently China reciprocates by not charging a fee to FSM Citizens applying for visa.

The FSM Embassy looks forward to working closely with the Counselor Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and all relevant authorities in the FSM including the Department of Justice and Office of Immigration & Labor.

For further information, contact the FSM Embassy in Beijing at Ph: (86) 1065324708 or e-mail address: embassy@fsmembassy.cn.