The updated decision builds on the previous policy, which was initially set to expire on December 31, 2025, for most beneficiary nations and at different months in 2026 for others.
In a major expansion, the Chinese government has also added Sweden to the list of countries eligible for visa-free travel, effective November 10, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
Currently, China grants visa-free access to citizens of at least 50 nations, allowing holders of ordinary passports to stay up to 30 days for business, tourism, or cultural exchange.
The list of countries includes Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Norway, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Kuwait, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Japan, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Peru, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Slovakia, Netherlands, and Uruguay.
Earlier in April 2025, China and Malaysia signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, marking a milestone in their diplomatic and economic ties. The pact was finalized during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia, where he met King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, over 27 million foreign visitors entered China in 2024, representing a 96% increase compared to the previous year — a clear sign of growing global travel interest following the easing of pandemic restrictions.
Meanwhile, Chinese passport holders can now travel to over 90 countries either visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival, while 55 nations currently qualify for visa-free transit through China.
This latest move underscores China’s commitment to deepening global partnerships and reviving international tourism, positioning itself as a major destination for business and leisure travelers worldwide.
