China has significantly broadened its visa exemption program through a series of strategic updates, making travel more accessible for nationals from dozens of countries.
The most recent expansion on November 5, 2025, represents the largest single addition to the program. The policy now covers 44 nations including major economies like Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Korea. Travelers from these countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transit purposes for up to 30 days through December 31, 2026.
Sweden joins this expansive list starting November 10, 2025, extending the program’s reach even further.
Earlier policy updates throughout 2025 have steadily increased the program’s scope. Russian passport holders gained access in September, while Gulf nations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia were added in late May. South American countries Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay joined the program in June.
The policy enhancement also extends beyond simply adding countries. Since November 2024, the maximum stay duration increased from 15 to 30 days, and travelers can now participate in cultural exchange activities – a significant expansion of permitted activities under visa-free entry.
Currently, 44 countries benefit from this comprehensive visa waiver program, representing a substantial shift in China’s approach to international travel facilitation.
My Insight
This November 5th update is exactly the kind of development we need to highlight for our clients! The scale of this expansion is unprecedented – adding over 40 countries to visa-free access shows China’s serious commitment to facilitating international business and tourism. For global mobility planning, this creates tremendous opportunities for short-term business travel and family visits without the traditional visa processing delays.