澳大利亚首次对外发10年签证 现阶段只对中国公民

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

中国驻澳大利亚使馆日前宣布，澳大利亚政府已正式开始向中国旅客发放10年多次"常旅客签证"。

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.

这项新的签证计划于2015年6月首次宣布，而澳大利亚官员则强调其为一项改革，并被认为是该国的基础设施现代化和未来业务发展的关键。

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.

根据本月10日签署的移民法修订案，持有10年签证的中国公民可在签证有效期内免费多次入境。

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

这种新型签证的申请人需在申请前进行体检，签证费为1000澳元(约合人民币5058元)。

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

同时，只有乘飞机入境澳大利亚的中国公民才可申请此签证。

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.

这种新型签证的持有人不得在澳就业，单次入境在澳逗留时间不得超过3个月。

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

除了澳大利亚，美国、加拿大和新加坡也对中国公民实施了类似的10年签证项目。