China has been rapidly expanding the list of nationals who can travel to the country visa-free. From November 30, 2024, eight additional European countries’ citizens can travel without a visa.
China will also standardize the visa-free period, which has been 15 days for some and 30 days for others, to be the latter for everyone from the same date.
There are now 32 (from November 30) European countries from which citizens can travel to China visa-free for up to 15 days:
- Andorra (added November 8, 2024)
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria (from November 30, 2024)
- Croatia (from November 30, 2024)
- Cyprus
- Denmark (added November 8, 2024)
- Estonia (from November 30, 2024)
- Finland (added November 8, 2024)
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland (added November 8, 2024)
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia (from November 30, 2024)
- Liechtenstein (added November 8, 2024)
- Luxembourg
- Malta (from November 30, 2024)
- Monaco (added November 8, 2024)
- Montenegro (from November 30, 2024)
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia (from November 30, 2024)
- Norway (added November 8, 2024)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania (from November 30, 2024)
- Slovakia (added November 8, 2024)
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
Travelers with passports from Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand can also visit China using this same facility. South Korea was added on November 8, and Japan will be added on November 30.
Note that this visa-free facility for all countries mentioned above is valid through December 31, 2025, when it expires unless extended.
Conclusion
There are 38 countries whose nationals can travel to China visa-free (I am missing ONE from the list above), and I am glad they standardize the maximum stay period to 30 days.
This certainly makes it easier to fly on Chinese airlines and incorporate a stop-over in one of the hub cities. I will undoubtedly revisit the country next year now that I do not need to apply for a visitor visa.
