The foreign ministry announced that the extension will take effect on November 10, with the policy initially scheduled to finish by December 31 of this year. This policy encompasses 32 European nations, along with several countries in South America and the Gulf region, according to a statement from the ministry’s consular affairs department.
Initially set to expire at the end of this year for many countries, the extension aims to boost tourism. In recent years, China has implemented visa-free entry for citizens from numerous countries to attract foreign visitors, revitalize a tourism sector that has suffered due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, and enhance international engagement.
However, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are not included in this initiative. Eligible visitors can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 30 days without needing a visa.
According to recent data from China’s National Immigration Administration, 7.25 million foreign nationals entered the country under visa-free policies during the third quarter of 2025, a 48.3 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
The full list of 45 countries and territories covered by this one-year extension of the visa exemption can be seen at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ consular services portal,
