China has announced an extension of its visa-free entry policy for France and several other countries, which will now remain in effect until December 31, 2026.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden is also being included in this scheme, which will come into effect from November 10.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Mao Ning, confirmed this extension during a regular press briefing on Monday. This policy, which was previously set to expire at the end of 2024, allows eligible travelers to visit China for up to 30 days without a visa, for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, or transit.
China’s visa-free policy applies to citizens of dozens of countries across Europe, the Gulf region, South America, and the Asia-Pacific. The move is part of Beijing’s strategy to revive the tourism sector, which was severely affected by the pandemic. By removing visa restrictions, China aims to attract more foreign tourists and restore international relations to pre-pandemic levels.
The extension comes at a time when China is working to strengthen its ties with the European Union (EU), one of its major trading partners.
Recently, after high-level meetings in Brussels, China relaxed export restrictions on rare minerals for European countries. Both sides have agreed to maintain communication to ensure stability in industrial and supply chains. Analysts believe that China’s visa policy will not only boost tourism but also strengthen people-to-people and trade relations with European countries.
The countries whose citizens can now travel to China without a visa until December 31, 2026, include: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Additionally, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Uruguay are also included — however, Pakistan is not among these countries.
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Citizens of these countries will be allowed to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, or transit. China’s latest move is expected to not only boost tourism but also contribute to global economic recovery and strengthen diplomatic relations.
