On November 22, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian hosted the press conference. A reporter inquired whether China, which currently grants visa-free access to citizens of 29 countries, plans to add more countries to this list. The reporter also asked if there were considerations to further extend the visa-free stay duration or expand the purposes for visa-free entry.
Lin Jian stated that to further facilitate the movement of people between China and other countries, the Chinese government has decided to expand the list of visa-free countries. From November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, citizens holding ordinary passports from nine countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan will be eligible for visa-free entry on a trial basis. Additionally, China will optimise its visa-free policy by including “exchange visits” as a valid purpose for visa exemption and extending the permitted stay from 15 days to 30 days.
Starting November 30, 2024, citizens holding ordinary passports from 38 visa-free countries, including the nine countries. They will be allowed visa-free entry into China for business activities, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, or transit, provided their stay does not exceed 30 days.
