China Extends Visa-Free Entry to 9 More Countries, Doubles Stay Limit to 30 Days

China has further expanded its visa-free entry program to cover citizens from nine additional countries. Starting November 30, visitors from a total of 38 eligible countries can stay in China visa-free for up to 30 days, doubling the previous limit of 15 days.

This initiative, set to remain in effect until the end of 2025, reflects China's strategic push to revive and diversify its inbound tourism sector post-pandemic.

The newly added countries include Japan and eight European nations: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, and Latvia.

Japan had been advocating for visa-free entry to China. Earlier this month, a delegation of Japan Association of Corporate Executives had visited China urging the restoration of visa exemptions for short-term Japanese visitors. From 2003, China granted visa-free entry to Japanese nationals, but this was discontinued in 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

The visa-free program, which began in December 2023, initially covered six Europe