China Announces One-Year Visa-Free Entry for Russian Citizens

China has officially approved a one-year visa waiver policy for Russian passport holders, aiming to further boost bilateral relations and make cross-border travel more accessible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed on Tuesday.

This new visa exemption is designed as a trial programme and will run from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026. During this period, Russian citizens entering China can enjoy a maximum stay of 30 days per visit without needing a visa.

Details of the Visa-Free Programme

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, explained that individuals with ordinary Russian passports are now eligible to enter China for business trips, tourism, family and friend visits, cultural exchanges, and transit purposes.

Guo further emphasized that the decision reflects the strategic cooperation between President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, noting that China-Russia relations have been consistently advancing on both governmental and public levels.

According to Jiakun, the streamlined border policy aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges while contributing positively to the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

China’s Wider Visa-Free Travel Policy

Currently, China grants visa-free access to 47 countries whose citizens hold ordinary passports. This arrangement allows for a 30-day stay and remains effective until December 31, 2025, with certain extensions into 2026 for selected nations.

Countries included in this policy are Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Norway, Japan, Peru, Uruguay, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Oman, Kuwait, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland, Slovakia, and the Netherlands.

This initiative underscores Beijing’s goal of strengthening international connectivity and promoting tourism and business exchanges with its global partners.