|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
July 9, 2025 – Beijing – China has expanded its visa-free entry policy to a record 74 countries, allowing eligible foreign nationals to visit for up to 30 days without a visa. The move marks a significant relaxation of border controls as Beijing seeks to revitalize its tourism industry and support economic growth.
The expanded policy, a sharp increase from previous visa regulations, has already led to a surge in inbound travel. In 2024, more than 20 million visitors entered China visa-free—more than double the previous year’s figure and nearly one-third of all foreign arrivals, according to the National Immigration Administration.
While domestic tourists still account for the majority of visitors at major destinations, international interest is rising sharply ahead of the summer season. Travel agencies and tour operators are reporting increased demand from newly eligible countries.
The visa-free initiative builds on China’s broader post-pandemic reopening strategy. After lifting strict COVID-19 travel restrictions in early 2023, China saw only 13.8 million international tourists that year, down from 31.9 million in 2019. The latest policy changes aim to narrow that gap and reestablish China as a major global travel destination.
The visa-free list now includes most European Union countries, along with several nations in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. In December 2023, China first granted visa-free access to travelers from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Since then, additional EU members and five Latin American and four Middle Eastern countries have been added.
On July 16, the list will expand to 75 countries with the inclusion of Azerbaijan. Approximately two-thirds of the visa waivers are being implemented on a one-year trial basis, allowing Chinese authorities to assess tourism trends and adjust the policy if needed.
Travel industry data already indicates strong results. Trip.com Group, a leading Shanghai-based travel platform, reported that bookings to China doubled in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with 75% of bookings originating from visa-exempt countries.
Notably absent from the visa-free list are major African countries, despite China’s growing economic and political engagement across the continent.
For travelers from countries not covered by the 30-day visa waiver—including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Russia—a limited alternative remains. Citizens from 55 countries can enter China for up to 10 days under a transit policy, provided they are en route to a third country and enter through one of 60 designated ports.
As Beijing continues to recalibrate its post-pandemic travel policies, the visa-free expansion reflects a clear effort to welcome more visitors, deepen global engagement, and revitalize a critical sector of its economy.
