China’s recent expansions in visa-free entry policies have led to a significant surge in tourism and strengthened international ties. Initially, this policy allowed visa-free entry for citizens of select European and Asian countries (e. g. France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Malaysia, etc.) As of July 1, 2024, the policy was extended to include Australian, New Zealand, and Polish citizens, permitting up to 15 days of visa-free travel for business, tourism, family visits, and transit.
On October 15, 2024, China announced further extensions, adding four additional European countries—Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia—to the list.
On November 8, 2024, the visa-free list will be expanded again to include nine more countries: Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, and Denmark. Nationals from these countries can now also enter China visa-free for the same purposes, with the policy remaining valid through December 31, 2025.
This series of policy expansions highlights China’s commitment to facilitating international travel, fostering tourism, and enhancing cross-border business opportunities. By streamlining travel for a growing number of nationalities, China is reinforcing people-to-people connections and underscoring the importance of global cooperation in a rapidly interconnected world.
