Since early 2024, the scheme has been rolled out in stages, adding 11 European countries and Malaysia to the list. This initiative aims to boost business, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
Citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland can enter China visa-free until the end of next year. The trial program allows visa-free stays for up to 15 days.
Despite lifting strict pandemic measures early last year, international travel to China hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, there were 35.5 million foreign entries and exits, compared to 97.7 million in 2019.
China previously offered visa-free entry to citizens of Brunei, Japan, and Singapore but suspended it during the COVID-19 outbreak. It resumed for Brunei and Singapore last July but not for Japan.
Popular destinations among Europeans include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Sanya, and Chengdu.
China extends visa-free entry to 12 European countries
News in AsiaChina has extended visa-free travel to Poland, Australia, and New Zealand until the end of 2025.