The Chinese government announced this week that its unilateral visa-free entry policy, which was scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 for citizens of many countries, will now remain in effect until December 31, 2026. The extension applies to travelers from 45 countries who can visit China for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa.

In a notable expansion of the program, Sweden will join the visa-exempt list starting November 10, 2025, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 45.

The policy extension underscores China’s firm commitment to advancing high-level opening-up and further facilitating people-to-people exchanges between China and the rest of the world. Travel industry experts view this as a positive signal for the recovery and growth of inbound tourism to China.

Which Countries Are Included?

The full list of countries covered under the extended visa-free policy includes:

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

Citizens of the above countries may enter China without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting family and friends, cultural exchanges, or transit, provided their stay does not exceed 30 days.

As always, our team is here and ready to assist you in maximising this fantastic opportunity to explore China! For any questions regarding the latest visa-free announcement or upcoming travel requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@atrails.cn.