China Extends Visa-Free Entry Policy for Dozens of Countries Until 2026

BEIJING: China has announced an extension of its visa-free entry policy for several countries, including France, until December 31, 2026, as part of efforts to boost post-pandemic tourism and strengthen international relations.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden has now been added to the list of eligible countries, with the new rule taking effect from November 10.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the extension during a regular press briefing on Monday. Initially set to expire at the end of 2024, the policy allows eligible travelers to visit China for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, or transit purposes.

China’s visa-free initiative applies to citizens from multiple regions, including Europe, the Gulf, South America, and the Asia-Pacific. The move aligns with Beijing’s broader strategy to revive its tourism sector, which was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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By removing visa barriers, China aims to attract more foreign visitors and restore international connectivity to pre-pandemic levels.

The decision also comes as China seeks to strengthen ties with the European Union (EU), one of its largest trading partners. Following recent high-level meetings in Brussels, Beijing eased restrictions on the export of rare minerals and pledged to maintain cooperation with European nations to stabilize industrial and supply chains.

Analysts suggest the policy will not only boost tourism but also enhance people-to-people exchanges and deepen trade relations between China and European countries.

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Countries now eligible for visa-free entry until December 31, 2026, include 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, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Uruguay.

Pakistan is notably not among the countries included in the extended visa-free list.

Under this policy, citizens of the eligible nations can stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, or transit. The move is expected to boost global tourism, support economic recovery, and strengthen China’s diplomatic engagement worldwide.