In a bold move to aggressively reposition itself as a top-tier global tourism destination, China extends visa exemption for 45 countries—including numerous European nations—until the end of 2026. This official extension of the reciprocal visa policy is a significant signal of Beijing’s commitment to boosting inbound travel and reasserting its presence on the world stage.
In an announcement made on November 3rd, the Chinese government confirmed the extension of its unilateral visa-free entry policy for citizens of 45 countries. This list notably includes 32 European nations, such as major economies like France, Germany, and Spain, with the policy now remaining in effect until December 31, 2026. In an additional update, Sweden was also included in the visa-free roster, with its exemption taking effect from November 10th.
This decisive action is a core component of China’s larger, concentrated effort to significantly revitalize its inbound tourism sector and effectively reestablish international connectivity following the prolonged period of severe travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current visa-free entry policy began as a pilot program in 2023, initially covering 37 countries. This original group consisted of 23 European nations and 14 countries from other regions, including key markets such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Through strategic, staggered expansions, the list has since grown to the current total of 45 countries. Under the terms of this policy, tourists holding passports from these designated nations are permitted to stay in mainland China for a maximum of 30 consecutive days without the necessity of applying for a visa prior to arrival.
The extension of this policy is instrumental to China’s overarching ambition of surpassing competitors to become a preferred destination for international travelers. China presents tourists with a unique and compelling blend: thousands of years of ancient civilization, combined with hyper-modern, technologically advanced urban centers, and areas of breathtaking natural scenery.
World-famous landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the vibrant, dynamic cityscapes of megacities such as Shanghai, and the tranquil, iconic karst landscapes in regions like Guilin are now significantly easier for international visitors to access. This greatly streamlined access is intended to incentivize a much larger volume of global travelers to choose China for exploration. Moreover, China’s state-of-the-art tourism infrastructure—including high-speed rail networks, luxurious accommodation options, and well-preserved cultural heritage sites—constitutes a major appealing factor for modern international tourism.
In related efforts to improve global connectivity, China also announced an expansion of its “240-hour visa-free transit” policy. Effective from November 5th, the policy will be applicable at 65 ports of entry, up from the previous 60.
This specialized 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit scheme allows citizens from 55 eligible countries and regions—including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, alongside numerous nations in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East—to enter and stay within designated regions of China for up to 10 days without a prior visa.
This transit policy was notably upgraded from its previous 72-hour or 144-hour versions on December 17, 2024. It is designed specifically to facilitate tourism, business travel, and international exchanges in the post-pandemic era. While utilizing this transit period, travelers are permitted to engage in activities such as sightseeing, business meetings, visiting relatives, or cultural exchange, but are strictly prohibited from engaging in paid employment.
(According: TTW, Global Times)
