"China Expands Visa-Free Entry to 70+ Countries – Full List Inside"

China Expands Visa-Free Access to 74 Nations in Major Tourism Boost

In a significant move to boost tourism and strengthen global ties, China has expanded its visa-free entry policy to 74 countries, allowing eligible foreign nationals to stay for up to 30 days. The new policy, announced this week, will take effect from early July 2025.

🌏 Aimed at Reviving Tourism and Soft Power

The initiative is part of China’s strategy to revitalize its tourism sector and enhance its soft power. In 2024, over 20 million travelers entered China without a visa—more than double the 2023 figure. Authorities are hopeful this upward trend will continue in 2025 and beyond.

“I’m practically overwhelmed with tours and struggling to keep up,” says Gao Jun, a veteran English-speaking tour guide with two decades of experience.

✅ Who Can Enter Visa-Free?

30-Day Visa-Free Access

Europe:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland.

Asia & Oceania:

Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uzbekistan.

South America:

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.

Middle East:

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

Central Asia & Caucasus:

Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan (effective July 16, 2025).

10-Day Visa-Free Transit Access

Europe:

United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Sweden, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia.

North America:

United States, Canada, Mexico (requires onward travel to a third country).

⚠️ Who’s Not Included?

The visa-free list does not include any African nations. Additionally, several Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, remain excluded.

🗣️ Official Statement

“This is a landmark decision aimed at deepening people-to-people exchanges and supporting China’s services sector,” said a spokesperson from China’s National Immigration Administration.

📅 One-Year Trial — But May Be Extended

Although the new policy is currently structured as a one-year trial, tourism officials suggest it could be extended or expanded, depending on how well it performs in terms of arrivals and economic impact.

China’s bold visa liberalization signals its intent to open up more to the world, encourage cultural exchange, and reclaim its position as a global tourism hub.