China Expands Visa-Free Access: 9 New Countries Added for 2025

In an exciting move for international travellers, China has further expanded its visa-free travel program, allowing passport holders from nine additional countries to visit without needing a visa. The expansion takes effect on 8 Nov 2024 and builds on China’s efforts to attract more tourists and business travellers to support its tourism industry, which has struggled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, first introduced in late 2023, initially covered 11 European countries, and it now grants visa-free entry to citizens from a total of 27 countries.

China expands visa free access to 9 new countries

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The nine countries newly added to China’s visa-free list are Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Slovakia, Andorra, Liechtenstein, South Korea, and Monaco. They join the original group of European nations, which included France, Germany, and Hungary, among others. More recent additions also included Australia, New Zealand, Greece, and Slovenia. Now, with a total of 27 nations represented, China’s updated visa-free program marks a shift from its previously restrictive visa policies, which had earned it a reputation as one of the world’s most closed-off travel destinations.

Under the terms of the program, visitors from these 27 countries are eligible to stay in China for up to 15 days for tourism or short-term business purposes, making travel to China easier than ever for these travellers. The program is still considered a "trial run" and is set to continue until 31 Dec 2025, after which it may be reassessed or possibly extended based on its success.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, explained the move at a recent press conference, highlighting the country’s commitment to facilitating cross-border travel and enhancing people-to-people exchange. "China decided to give visa-free treatment to more countries by extending the visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from [these nine countries] on a trial basis," Lin said.

Notably, certain Western nations such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are still excluded from the program due to ongoing political tensions. The U.S. State Department continues to advise caution for travel to China, rating it as a level-three “reconsider travel” destination. However, China has implemented additional measures to streamline entry for travellers from these regions, making it more convenient for tourists even from countries not on the visa-free list.

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For travellers who do qualify for this program, the visa-free access opens up a unique opportunity to explore China’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and bustling cities with greater ease, offering a chance to experience the country’s culture without the need for lengthy visa processes.

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