7 More Countries Can Now Visit China Without a Visa

China is opening its doors wider than ever with a recent expansion of its visa-free entry program, now allowing citizens from seven additional countries to visit for up to 15 days without needing a visa.

This move is part of China's broader effort to revive international tourism and stimulate economic growth after the pandemic years of strict lockdowns and limited border access.

The newly eligible countries are Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovakia, and South Korea. This will bring the total number of visa-exempt nations to 27, including 24 European Union (EU) countries.

This expansion comes into effect on November 8, 2024, and will be available until at least the end of 2025.

China’s post-pandemic tourism figures have yet to bounce back fully, with recent data showing international entries are still about a third of pre-2020 levels. To counter this, China has taken a bold approach, unilaterally dropping visa requirements for selected nations in a bid to re-attract visitors and spur its tourism industry.

Who’s on the Visa-Free List?

The full list of countries now benefiting from visa-free access includes both EU and non-EU nations, reflecting China’s global approach to welcoming back tourists. Here’s the current list of visa-exempt countries:

Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland

Asia-Pacific: Malaysia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand

With these updates, citizens of these countries can visit China visa-free for up to 15 days, covering purposes like tourism, business, family visits, and transit.

Investing in Tourist Experiences: Beyond the Visa-Free Entry

To make travel more seamless and memorable, China isn’t just removing red tape, it’s enhancing the entire visitor experience. Through partnerships with companies like Trip.com, China has been promoting its unique culture, history, and scenic destinations to potential tourists around the world.

In a creative twist, the country has also capitalised on the popularity of gaming: the video game Black Myth: Wukong has helped spark international interest in ancient Chinese sites, with in-game locations inspired by real temples in the Shanxi region.

In addition, China has integrated new technology to further accommodate foreign visitors, offering expanded access to international e-payment options and launching innovative services like drone-delivered meals to tourists at the Great Wall. With such advancements, the country is making it easier—and more exciting—than ever to explore its vast landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

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