China extends visa-free travel to 54 nations

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – China has expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending stays and travel options for citizens from 54 countries, officials announced Tuesday.

The permitted stay for eligible travelers has been increased to 10 days, or 240 hours, up from the previous limits of 72 and 144 hours, according to the National Immigration Administration.

The updated policy also increases access to 60 ports across 24 provinces and regions, compared to 39 ports in 19 regions previously.

Citizens of 54 countries, including the US, UK, Russia, Canada, and Brazil, can now enter China visa-free while transiting to a third country or region. The changes aim to facilitate tourism and business exchanges, as China reports a significant rise in foreign visits this year.

The expanded visa-free areas include regions with rich cultural heritage, such as Shanxi and Jiangxi, as well as economic hubs like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta.

- Separate 30-day visa-free access

Additionally, travelers from 38 nations can stay in China visa-free for up to 30 days until Dec. 31, 2025.

This policy applies to ordinary passport holders from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, and Brunei Darussalam.

The visa-free arrangement covers visits for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit. However, travelers exceeding the 30-day limit or visiting for purposes beyond these categories will still require a visa.