Russian travelers will be able to continue entering China without a visa for more than an additional year.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced today that Beijing had decided to extend until December 31, 2027, the visa-free policy granted to Russian citizens. The measure applies to Russian nationals holding ordinary passports and covers short-term stays of up to 30 days.
Eligible travelers may visit China without a visa for business, tourism, visits to relatives or friends, exchanges, or transit.
Describing the decision as a new step intended to “continue facilitating cross-border travel between China and Russia,” the spokesperson placed the measure in the context of relations between Beijing and Moscow. “Under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, China-Russia relations have been moving forward on a high level,” Guo Jiakun said.
China, he added, “will work with Russia to further facilitate people-to-people exchange, and inject more impetus to the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.”
A visa-free policy launched in September 2025
China initially announced the visa-free policy for Russian citizens on a trial basis, with an implementation period running from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026. The arrangement already allowed holders of ordinary Russian passports to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days, for the same travel purposes.
The extension of the visa waiver comes as Vladimir Putin began a two-day state visit to China on May 19. During the trip, the Russian president highlighted the role of the visa-free regime in bilateral relations, praising the impact of the measure on people-to-people exchanges between China and Russia.
“The development of our humanitarian contacts has been boosted by the mutual regime of visa-free travel for our citizens, which has been introduced at your initiative, my dear friend. We will certainly continue with this practice,” the Russian president said.
Russia has also lifted visa requirements for Chinese citizens
In response to Beijing’s visa-free policy for Russian nationals, Russia has also introduced visa-free entry for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports.
Since December 1, 2025, Chinese nationals have been able to enter Russia without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, including for tourism, business travel, private visits, participation in scientific, cultural, economic, sociopolitical or sporting events, as well as transit. The Russian measure is currently scheduled to remain in effect until September 14, 2026.
China’s extension through December 31, 2027, therefore gives the Chinese side of the arrangement a longer time frame for now. Whether Moscow will introduce a similar extension for Chinese travelers remains to be seen.
China continues to ease its visa policy
The decision confirms the growing role of visa exemptions in China’s entry policy. Since the full resumption of international travel, Beijing has gradually expanded visa-free arrangements to many nationalities, with stays generally limited to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, or transit.
For several nationalities, including citizens of many European countries, China’s current unilateral visa-free policy is in effect until December 31, 2026. Russian citizens now benefit from a separate timeline.
The visa exemption applies only to travelers who meet the conditions set by Chinese authorities, including passport type, purpose of travel and length of stay.
Russian nationals, as well as citizens of other eligible countries, who wish to stay in China for more than 30 days, or travel for a purpose not covered by the exemption, must still apply for a visa before departure.
