China will extend its unilateral visa-exemption policy for 45 countries, and has added Sweden into the scheme.
China will extend its unilateral visa-exemption arrangements with over 40 countries until December 31st, 2026, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry on November 3rd. China also decides to include Sweden in the visa-free scheme, effective from November 10th, 2025, to December 31st, 2026.
Under the policy, visitors from eligible countries can enter China for business, tourism, family or friend visits without a visa. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days.
The eligible countries include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland and Hungary etc.
The extension covers 32 European countries, a statement released by the foreign ministry’s consular affairs department showed.
Furthermore, China’s 240-hour visa-free transit program will be expanded to five more ports in Guangdong Province. The new policy will raise the total number of ports eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit from 60 to 65.
Offer Greater Convenience for People Exchange
Experts said that the policies underscore China’s steadfast commitment to deepening its opening-up.
Qin Jing, a vice president of Trip.com Group, said that this move will provide more stable policy expectations for European travellers to China. And it demonstrates the country’s firm commitment to advancing high-level opening-up.
By continuously optimising visa policies, it will offer greater convenience for international personnel exchanges and promote practical cooperation between China and other countries in various fields such as economy, trade, culture and tourism, Qin said.
Data from Trip.com showed that, during China’s National Day holidays this year, visa-exempt European countries such as France ranked among the key source countries for inbound travel to China. Travel bookings from France to China increased by approximately 40 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Written by Sha Liu, additional reporting by Xinhua, Global Times and CGTN.
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