China has extended its visa-free entry program for citizens of 45 countries until December 31, 2026, as part of its continued efforts to boost inbound travel and international engagement. The country will also expand the initiative to include Sweden starting November 10, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday.
The updated policy covers 32 European nations along with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several countries in South America and the Gulf region. Under the arrangement, eligible travelers may enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit.
Originally scheduled to end later this year, the extension reflects Beijing’s strategy to revive its tourism sector and strengthen foreign exchanges following prolonged COVID-19 border restrictions. China has been gradually easing entry rules since reopening in 2023, aiming to restore pre-pandemic levels of travel and business activity.
Countries Covered Under the Visa-Free Program (45):
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden (effective November 10, 2025), Switzerland, and Uruguay.
The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom remain excluded from the arrangement.
The expansion of visa-free entry also aligns with China’s broader diplomatic outreach to the European Union, at a time when global supply chains and trade relations continue to shift. In a parallel development, Beijing confirmed that its one-year suspension of expanded rare earth export controls—announced after talks between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in South Korea—will also apply to the EU.
“The two sides agreed to continue communication and exchanges to promote the stability and smooth operation of China-EU industrial and supply chains,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said following discussions in Brussels.
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