The decision was formally unveiled by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during the daily press briefing at the ministry’s headquarters in Beijing. “To implement the guiding principles of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and continue facilitating cross-border people-to-people exchanges, China will extend its visa-exemption arrangements to France and other countries covered by the policy until December 31, 2026,” Mao stated. She added that Swedish citizens holding ordinary passports would be granted visa-free entry for up to 30 days beginning November 10, 2025, and lasting through the end of 2026.
The announcement was simultaneously broadcast through official consular channels, including a post on the social media platform X by the Department of Consular Affairs under China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The message confirmed the extension of the unilateral visa-free policy for all 45 designated countries and highlighted Sweden’s inclusion as a new beneficiary.
This policy allows eligible foreign nationals to enter mainland China without a prior visa for business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit purposes, with a maximum stay of 30 days per entry. Importantly, the exemption is unilateral—China does not require reciprocal visa waivers from the participating nations, a strategic choice that reflects Beijing’s proactive stance in rebuilding international travel and trade links in the post-pandemic era.
Historical Context: From Isolation to Openness
To fully appreciate the magnitude of this announcement, it is essential to trace the evolution of China’s visa policies over the past five years. For much of 2020 to early 2023, China maintained some of the world’s strictest border controls under its zero-COVID strategy. International flights were slashed by over 95%, consular services were suspended, and even long-term visa holders were barred from entry. The result was a near-total collapse of inbound tourism: in 2020, foreign arrivals plummeted to just 2.9 million—down from 145.3 million in 2019, according to data from the China Tourism Academy.
The turning point came in late 2023. On November 17, 2023, China launched a pilot 15-day visa-free program for six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. This was the first concrete step toward reopening. The pilot was framed not merely as a tourism initiative but as a broader economic stimulus measure aimed at restoring business confidence and reconnecting global supply chains.
By March 2024, the program expanded to include Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg—bringing the total to 12 European nations plus Malaysia. Encouraged by positive feedback and rising entry numbers, Chinese authorities made a bold upgrade in November 2024: the stay duration was doubled from 15 to 30 days, and nine additional countries were added, including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan. This brought the total to 22 countries under the 30-day regime.
The momentum continued into 2025. In June, China introduced temporary visa-free access for five South American nations—Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay—valid until May 31, 2026. That same month, four Gulf states—Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—were granted exemptions running through June 8, 2026. Russia, a long-standing partner, was also formally integrated into the core unilateral framework earlier in the year.
Each expansion was accompanied by detailed implementation guidelines issued by the National Immigration Administration (NIA), ensuring smooth processing at ports of entry. Travelers were required to present valid ordinary passports, provide proof of onward travel if transiting, and declare their purpose of visit. Overstays, even by a single day, triggered fines ranging from RMB 500 to RMB 2,000 per day, with repeat offenders facing detention or five-year re-entry bans.
Sweden’s Inclusion: A Diplomatic Breakthrough
The addition of Sweden to the visa-free list is particularly noteworthy, both symbolically and practically. For years, Sweden had been one of the few European Union member states excluded from China’s expanding visa waivers. This exclusion stemmed from a series of diplomatic tensions dating back to 2015, when Swedish citizen Gui Minhai—a Hong Kong-based bookseller critical of the Chinese leadership—was detained in Thailand and later sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2020 on charges of “illegally providing intelligence overseas.” The case drew sharp criticism from Stockholm and strained bilateral relations.
Despite these challenges, both governments maintained pragmatic engagement. Trade continued to grow—Sweden is one of China’s top Nordic trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $19.8 billion in 2024, driven by exports of machinery, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components. High-level visits resumed in 2023, and in October 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Swedish counterpart, Maria Malmer Stenergard, on the sidelines of a UN General Assembly session in New York.
During that meeting, Wang announced that China would soon include Sweden in its visa-free program, describing the move as a “goodwill gesture” ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. Stenergard welcomed the decision, reaffirming Sweden’s adherence to the one-China principle and expressing hope for deepened cooperation in innovation, green technology, and sustainable development.
With Sweden’s inclusion, China’s visa-free policy now encompasses nearly the entire European continent (with minor exceptions such as the Czech Republic and Lithuania, which remain limited to transit exemptions). This near-universal European coverage reflects Beijing’s strategic priority of strengthening ties with the EU, its largest trading partner, with two-way trade exceeding $850 billion annually.
The Complete List of 45 Eligible Countries
As of November 3, 2025, the following 45 countries are included in China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free entry program for ordinary passport holders:
Europe (34 countries)
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania (limited to transit in some cases)
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden (effective November 10, 2025)
- Switzerland
- Czech Republic (transit exemption only for full 30-day access)
- Asia-Pacific (7 countries)
- Australia
- Brunei
- Japan
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Others (4 countries)
- Andorra
- Russia
- Albania (part of earlier Balkan expansions)
- Serbia (included in 2024 Balkan wave)
Note: Temporary visa-free arrangements for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay (until May 31, 2026) and Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain (until June 8, 2026) operate under separate frameworks but are often bundled in public discussions.
Economic and Tourism Impact: A Data-Driven Recovery
The visa-free policy has already delivered measurable results. According to the National Immigration Administration, 8.19 million foreign nationals entered China in the first three quarters of 2025—a 68% increase from the same period in 2024. Of these, 4.89 million (approximately 60%) used visa-free entry, representing a 78.6% year-on-year surge.
In the third quarter alone (July–September 2025), 7.25 million visa-free entries were recorded, accounting for 72.2% of all foreign arrivals and marking a 48.3% increase from Q3 2024. The top source markets were South Korea (1.42 million), Japan (980,000), Malaysia (620,000), Singapore (510,000), and Germany (410,000).
Major online travel agencies reported explosive growth. Trip.com Group, China’s leading platform, recorded a 260% year-on-year increase in inbound flight bookings from visa-free countries in the first half of 2025. Popular destinations included Beijing (Forbidden City, Summer Palace), Shanghai (The Bund, Yu Garden), Xi’an (Terracotta Warriors), Guilin (Li River cruises), and Chengdu (Giant Panda Research Base).
Business travel has been equally robust. A survey by the China-Britain Business Council found that 68% of European executives visiting China in 2025 cited the visa-free policy as a “key facilitator” for spontaneous business trips. This is particularly vital amid ongoing U.S.-China trade frictions, as European firms seek to maintain supply chain resilience.
On the same day as the visa announcement, China’s Ministry of Commerce revealed that Beijing and Brussels had reached an agreement to temporarily suspend export controls on rare earth elements—a critical input for electronics, renewable energy, and defense industries. While not directly linked, the timing suggests a coordinated charm offensive toward Europe.
Complementary Visa Policies
China’s visa-free framework operates alongside several complementary programs:
240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption
Expanded in December 2024 to 55 countries, this allows transit passengers to stay in designated regions (e.g., Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang, Guangdong) for up to 10 days without a visa.
Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Available to citizens of 59 countries, this provincial policy has turned the tropical island into a magnet for Russian, South Korean, and Southeast Asian tourists.
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit for Cruise Groups
Applies to cruise passengers arriving at 13 ports, including Shanghai, Qingdao, and Xiamen.
Guangdong 144-Hour Visa-Free for Hong Kong/Macau Entry
Allows eligible foreigners to enter Guangdong province via Hong Kong or Macau for up to six days.
These layered policies create a flexible ecosystem that caters to diverse traveler profiles, from leisure tourists to business executives and transit passengers.
Industry and Airline Responses
The travel industry responded with immediate enthusiasm. Within hours of the announcement, Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern launched promotional fares from Stockholm, Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo to Beijing and Shanghai, with round-trip economy tickets starting at €399 from Europe and ¥2,999 from Japan.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced it would increase Stockholm–Shanghai flights from three to five weekly starting December 2025, citing “strong demand signals” from the visa waiver. Finnair, a major carrier for European transfers via Helsinki, reported a 40% surge in inquiries from Swedish travelers within 24 hours.
Hotel chains also moved quickly. Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental introduced “Visa-Free Welcome Packages” in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, including complimentary airport transfers, late check-out, and cultural experiences such as tea ceremonies or calligraphy workshops.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite the optimism, challenges persist. Overcrowding at popular sites remains a concern. The Great Wall at Badaling, for instance, capped daily visitors at 65,000 during the October 2025 Golden Week, leading to long queues even for visa-free travelers. Authorities in Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou have imposed similar restrictions to protect fragile ecosystems.
Administrative hurdles also linger. All foreign visitors must register with local police within 24 hours of arrival if staying in private residences—a requirement often overlooked by first-time travelers, resulting in fines. Hotels typically handle registration for guests, but Airbnb users frequently encounter issues.
Geopolitical risks could disrupt the policy. While unlikely in the near term, a sudden escalation in EU-China trade disputes or human rights criticisms could prompt Beijing to suspend exemptions for specific countries, as it did briefly with Australia in 2020.
Moreover, the policy remains non-reciprocal. Chinese citizens still require visas for most of the 45 countries, with processing times of 4–8 weeks and fees up to €120 in Europe. This asymmetry has fueled calls for mutual visa waivers, though progress has been slow.
Global Context and Strategic Implications
China’s unilateral approach contrasts sharply with visa regimes in the West. The United States continues to impose strict visa requirements on Chinese nationals, with interview wait times exceeding 300 days in some cities. The European Union, while streamlining processes under the ETIAS system launching in 2026, still mandates visas for Chinese visitors.
In response, several countries have begun reciprocating. South Korea extended its own visa-free entry for Chinese tourists through 2026. Singapore and Thailand have waived visas entirely for short stays. Malaysia, already a beneficiary of China’s policy, eliminated visa requirements for Chinese citizens in December 2024.
Analysts view China’s strategy as part of a broader “charm offensive” ahead of major international events. With Peru hosting APEC in 2026 and China slated for 2027, Beijing is keen to project an image of openness and stability. The visa policy also supports the “Dual Circulation” economic model, which emphasizes domestic consumption while maintaining global integration.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, experts predict further expansions. Potential candidates include Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States—though geopolitical hurdles make this unlikely before 2027. India, despite strong tourism potential, remains excluded due to ongoing border disputes.
The Chinese government has set an ambitious target of 50 million annual inbound visitors by 2030, up from 30 million pre-pandemic. Achieving this will require not only visa liberalization but also improvements in English signage, payment systems (e.g., broader acceptance of Visa/Mastercard), and soft power initiatives like streamlined customs and friendlier immigration procedures.
For now, the message from Beijing is unequivocal: China is open for business—and for pleasure. As Mao Ning concluded her briefing, “We welcome friends from around the world to visit China, experience its development, and share in its opportunities.”
For millions of travelers holding passports from the 45 eligible nations, the path to the Middle Kingdom has never been smoother.
