On 20 May 2026, China officially announced a major travel facilitation measure, extending its unilateral visa-free policy for holders of ordinary Russian passports until 31 December 2027.

Under the updated policy, Russian citizens holding ordinary passports may enter China without a visa for purposes such as tourism, business visits, visiting relatives and friends, cultural exchanges, or transit. Travellers may stay for up to 30 days per visit without the need to apply for a visa in advance, significantly reducing travel barriers.

The announcement of the extension coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China, highlighting the growing importance of bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

During his visit, President Putin praised the positive impact of the mutual visa-free arrangements, noting that they have greatly encouraged travel and interaction between the citizens of both countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that, extending the visa-free policy represents another important step towards facilitating cross-border travel and deepening people-to-people ties.

⚠️ Important Reminders

With travel between China and Russia becoming increasingly convenient, now is an excellent time for Chinese travellers to explore Russia or to welcome Russian friends and partners to China.

For more information or destination advice, please contact us!