China to Introduce Visa-Free Travel for Citizens of Three New European Countries
In a significant development, China has announced that citizens of three additional European countries will soon be able to enter the nation without a visa for stays of up to 15 days.
In a significant development, China has announced that citizens of three additional European countries will soon be able to enter the nation without a visa for stays of up to 15 days. This announcement comes as part of China’s ongoing efforts to facilitate international travel and enhance diplomatic relations.
During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, revealed that citizens of Greece and Slovenia would soon be exempt from visa requirements. This announcement follows a recent declaration allowing visa-free travel for Norwegian nationals.
Following his meetings with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon and Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis, Wang Yi expressed enthusiasm about strengthening ties with both nations. He stated, “I am pleased to inform the Slovenian side that the Chinese government has decided to grant visa exemption to Slovenian citizens. This is good news for the peoples of both countries and will greatly promote friendly exchanges and deepen mutual trust.”
Wang Yi also highlighted the historical significance of Greece, noting the shared cultural heritage and the ancient Silk Road that once linked the two civilizations. He emphasised the importance of enhancing civilizational exchanges and practical cooperation between China and Greece, affirming that the visa-free policy would facilitate closer human-to-human connections.
The announcement regarding Norway's visa exemption came earlier this month during a visit by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to China. President Xi Jinping disclosed that Norwegians would be allowed to travel to China without a visa, a move that Prime Minister Støre welcomed as a means to foster closer cooperation among business representatives, students, and travellers.
With the addition of Greece and Slovenia, the number of countries benefiting from visa-free travel to China has reached 18. This policy allows citizens from these nations to travel to China for tourism, business, family visits, or transit until December 31, 2025.
The list of countries that have recently gained visa-free access includes France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, as of December 1, 2023. Since March 14, 2024, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Hungary, and Austria have also been granted similar access. Additionally, citizens of Poland, Australia, and New Zealand have enjoyed visa-free travel since July 1, 2024. The United Kingdom is currently seeking to extend China’s visa waiver policy to British nationals.
Objectives of the Visa Waiver Policy
China's visa waiver initiative aims to boost tourism, a sector that has been gradually recovering since the pandemic. By simplifying travel procedures, China hopes to attract more visitors, particularly from Europe, and reclaim its position as a leading destination in the global tourism industry.
Furthermore, the visa facilitation policy is designed to promote trade by easing travel for business representatives from eligible countries. The removal of visa requirements simplifies short-term business trips, enabling smoother negotiations and fostering commercial partnerships.
For travellers who still require a visa, China has streamlined the application process over the past year. Changes include optimising the visa application form, eliminating Covid-19 travel requirements, cancelling the need for an appointment to submit applications, reducing consular fees, and suspending fingerprinting requirements until December 31, 2025.
As these developments unfold, the initiative highlights China’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation and strengthening its global tourism and trade sectors.
