China’s visa-free transit policy now covers 70+ countries in tourism, business push
Foreign travellers are returning to China in droves, thanks to the country's most generous visa reform in years. With tourism still recovering from the COVID-19 slump, Beijing has made a bold move—allowing visa-free travel for citizens of 75 countries, effective July 16.
In just the first few months of 2024, more than 20 million people entered China without a visa—more than double last year's figure. These travellers now make up nearly a third of all international arrivals, according to China’s National Immigration Administration.
A Travel Boost the World Was Waiting For
Before the pandemic, only a select few nationalities could visit China without a visa. Now, that list has expanded significantly. Citizens from across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia are now able to enter visa-free for up to 30 days. The change, introduced on a one-year trial, is designed to revive global tourism and fuel economic momentum.
“This really helps people to travel because applying for a visa was such a hassle,” said Georgi Shavadze, a visitor from Georgia.
Others share that relief. Norwegian traveller Oystein Sporsheim said getting a visa used to be a challenge. “They don’t very often open [the embassy], so it was much harder,” he shared.
Who’s In—and Who’s Still Out
Countries now enjoying visa-free access include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Uzbekistan, and several Gulf nations. But not everyone has made the list. The U.S., U.K., Canada, and Sweden remain excluded from the 30-day waiver.
For these countries, there’s a small consolation: a 10-day transit policy. If travellers from these nations are transiting through China en route to a third country, they can still enter through 60 eligible ports for a short visit.
Sweden’s absence has drawn attention. Once a visa-free contender, the Nordic country’s ties with China have cooled since the imprisonment of Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in 2020. Diplomatic tensions may be playing a role in its continued exclusion.
Tourism Industry Feels the Surge
The impact of the relaxed policy is already showing. Tour agencies are overwhelmed with bookings, and industry veterans are training new guides to keep up with rising demand.
“I’m practically overwhelmed with tours,” said Gao Jun, a seasoned English-speaking guide. He’s now running a training program to build more capacity.
At WildChina, a high-end travel firm, bookings have soared. “We’re up 50% from before the pandemic,” said managing director Jenny Zhao, who remains optimistic about the boom.
Data from Trip.com Group supports this. In the first quarter of 2024, China-bound bookings doubled compared to last year. Notably, 75% of those bookings came from visa-free countries.
A New Wave of Global Visitors
While some regions—particularly Africa—have been left out, the new visa policy is reshaping global travel patterns. Zhao says Europeans now make up 15–20% of her clients, a steep climb from less than 5% in 2019.
For now, the one-year trial is China’s bold bet on reconnecting with the world. And if the results continue to impress, it may just become the new normal for global travel to China.
