China has decided to extend visa-free travel for a total of 12 countries until December 31, 2025, permitting unrestricted entry for short stays.
As the Chinese authorities have revealed, the list of countries whose citizens will continue to enjoy visa-free entry privileges until the end of 2025 is as follows:
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Switzerland
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, who confirmed the news, visa-free travel for these 12 countries has been prolonged in an effort to promote exchanges between Chinese and foreigners.
This means that China is currently focused on strengthening its relationship with the countries that it already has agreements in place and depending people-to-people ties.
In line with the visa-free policy, passport holders of the 12 countries mentioned above can enter China without the need to obtain a visa for stays not exceeding 15 days.
Moreover, visa-free entry is permitted only to those entering China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit purposes.
Travelers from the 12 countries who want to stay in China for more than 15 days, as well as those wanting to enter for purposes other than those mentioned above, have to undergo the visa application process.
Portugal Continues to Push for Visa Exemption
While China has so far dropped the visa requirement for nationals of several European Union countries, the case is not the same for Portugal.
Portuguese passport holders continue to be required to obtain a Chinese visa before traveling to the country, regardless of the purpose of their entry and stay period.
The Portuguese authorities have said that the inclusion of Portugal in China’s visa-free travel policy would have a positive impact on both countries and have called on China to consider adding Portugal to the list of countries whose citizens are not required to apply for a visa for short stays.
On the other hand, the Chinese authorities have not made an official statement on the issue at hand. They have just said that they are open to strengthening their relations with Portugal.