China has introduced a new visa waiver policy, effective immediately, for travelers from 54 countries. This includes nations in Europe, Latin America, Asia, as well as the United States and Canada. The announcement was made by China’s National Immigration Agency via its official WeChat account.
Under the updated policy, travelers holding passports from the eligible countries can enter China without a visa, provided they have confirmed tickets for onward travel within 10 days. This applies across 60 locations in 24 provinces, including major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. The expanded program allows transit visitors to explore multiple regions within China during their stay, though some restrictions remain in place.
Previously, travelers were allowed visa-free stays ranging from 72 to 144 hours, depending on their point of entry, as long as they continued their journey to a third country or region. The new policy significantly broadens this flexibility, offering a more streamlined process for tourists, particularly those who might otherwise have to navigate a complex visa application process.
The initiative is part of China’s broader effort to attract international visitors as the country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent travel restrictions. In recent months, China has been progressively relaxing its visa policies to boost tourism and business exchanges. In addition to the new transit policy, passport holders from 38 countries, including France, Germany, Australia, and Japan, can now stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, and transit purposes.
China’s efforts to attract foreign travelers are reflected in recent statistics, with the number of international visitors rising nearly 50% year-on-year, and visa-free entries increasing by almost 80%. The government is hopeful that these initiatives will help stimulate the economy and reinforce China’s position as a key global tourism destination.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., the State Department recently lowered its travel advisory for China from Level 3, advising Americans to reconsider travel, to Level 2, urging “exercise increased caution.” This shift came after the release of three American citizens who had been detained in China for years, signaling a potential thaw in the strained U.S.-China relations.
The visa policy changes are expected to further enhance China’s attractiveness as a tourist destination, with particular interest in regions like Harbin, which recently kicked off its ice festival season, drawing large numbers of domestic and international visitors.
