Visa-free travel to China extended until 2025 for list of 12 countries

In a further move to loosen travel restrictions and boost its travel sector and international influence, China is extending short stay visa-free travel for 12 countries on the growing list of those who benefit from easy travel to the People’s Republic of China.

Visa-free for up to 15 days

The visa-free period will allow unrestricted entry for short stays of up to 15 days and will now last until 31 December 2025 for passport holders from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

China has made a series of visa concessions and arrangements over recent years and months, and not just with European countries, as it ploughs ahead with a massive drive to recover after tight Covid-19 restrictions and to expand its worldwide power with a wide range of bi-lateral infrastructure projects. According to its Foreign Ministry, the measures are designed “to facilitate the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world.” 

Consolidating existing relationships

Many of the countries on the visa-free list were added as part of these moves only in the last year, for a trial period. Rather than bringing a new suite of countries to the visa-free list then, the latest move now builds on previous rapprochements and appears intended to consolidate existing relationships. 

The strategy is intended to “promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals,” according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, with only people visiting China for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family or friends, and transit purposes, eligible for the waiver. For longer visits and other purposes, visitors will need to apply for a visa through the usual channels.

Portugal still off the list

Germany’s foreign minister hailed the visa-free arrangement in December 2023 and encouraged China to extend its scope to other European Union countries. In addition, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last year the country wanted to make it more “convenient for Chinese citizens to travel abroad, and make foreign friends feel at home in China,” but one notable absence from the list of “foreign friends” remains Portugal.

The former Portuguese colony of Macao, now a gambling hub known as the “Vegas of China”, was formally handed over to the Chinese in 1999, and the two countries have been strategic partners in Forum Macao since 2003. Still, despite the Chinese saying they are open to even stronger relations, Portuguese citizens continue to need a visa for any and all travel to China.