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This policy will take effect from November 8th and will last until the end of 2025, with the expectation of significantly boosting trade and tourism to the country.
According to information from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this program allows citizens from nine additional countries – South Korea, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Lithuania, and Finland – to enter China without a visa for a maximum of 15 days. Visitors can come to China for various reasons such as business, tourism, visiting relatives, or transit.
Citizens from nine countries are allowed to enter China without a visa for a maximum of 15 days.
Earlier in May, China decided to extend the 15-day visa-free entry program until the end of 2025 for 12 countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malaysia. These are the countries that China had been piloting a short-term visa-free program for since the end of 2023.
This program is not merely a tourism activity but also a profound diplomatic message. By organizing this large-scale event, China affirms its desire to enhance cultural exchanges, promote economic cooperation, and strengthen friendly relations with countries around the world. This is seen as a strategic step to elevate China's standing on the international stage and build an image of a peaceful and open nation.
The policy is expected to significantly boost trade and tourism to the country.
Since China implemented its 144-hour transit visa-free policy, an increasing number of foreigners have found it easier to enter the country for tourism and business. According to data from the National Immigration Administration (NIA), in the first six months of this year, 14.63 million foreigners entered China through border crossings nationwide, with 4.36 million of them entering for tourism purposes.
