Travel Visa

China Expands Visa-Free Travel To 18 European Nations

China has declared new visa-free travel guidelines for nationals of five additional European nations, bringing the total to 18, further expanding its actions to facilitate tourism and business exchanges.

The developed visa exclusion scheme portrays China’s dedication to boosting global relationships and promoting easier, short-term trips.

Visa-Free Access For Five European Nations

Beginning on 15th October 2024, travelers coming from Cyprus, Slovenia, Denmark, Portugal, and Greece can go into China without the demand for a visa for up to 15 days. This new guideline applies to visits for intentions related to family visits, tourism, business, or transit and will continue till 31st December 2025.

The current development brings the total number of European nations qualified for visa-free trips to China to 18, including countries like France, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Ireland.

Expanding Visa-Free Entry Across Europe And Beyond

In 2024, Norway became part of China’s visa-free list, and in July, New Zealand, Austria, and Poland were also included in the visa-free scheme. This staged approach to visa exclusions, which started in early 2024, points out China’s continuing dedication to facilitating business and tourism bonds with Europe and other regions. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the initiative strives to assist the high-quality growth of exchanges between Chinese and international citizens, generating more profound cultural and economic involvement prospects.

List Of Visa-Free Nations

Currently, the European nations qualified for visa-free access to China consist of the following:

  1. Switzerland
  2. Austria
  3. Spain
  4. Belgium
  5. Slovenia
  6. Cyprus
  7. Portugal
  8. Denmark
  9. Poland
  10. France
  11. Norway
  12. Germany
  13. Netherlands
  14. Greece
  15. Luxembourg
  16. Hungary
  17. Italy
  18. Ireland

Travelers from these countries can enjoy visa-free trips for 15 days until the end of 2025, making China a more accessible location for short-term business travel and holidays.

Motivating Global Tourism And Business

China has observed a significant increase in foreign guests in 2024, with more than 90 million travelers entering the nation in the first nine months alone. This was 55.4 percent more than the previous year. This number portrays 93.4% of the tourism numbers viewed before the pandemic in 2019.

To improve the travel skills of international guests, the Chinese authority has made it compulsory for significant tourist allurements to approve different reimbursement techniques, including global bank cards, QR codes, and money.

This action is part of a broader plan to ensure a more accessible and comfortable experience for foreign travelers.

In conclusion, China’s expanded visa-free travel policy boosts foreign relations and entices additional guests from Europe and beyond. By easing access for short-term visits, China maintains its position as a significant location for tourism and global business events.