China Expands Visa-Free Policy for Nine Additional Countries in New Trial

China is expanding the visa-free policy to include Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea.

Starting November 8, 2024, visitors from these countries can travel to China visa-free for up to 15 days.

This change is being trialed to strengthen relations between China and these countries.

Beginning on November 8, China’s visa-free policy will be expanded to passport holders from nine additional countries in an effort to “promote personnel exchanges” with China, according to its foreign ministry.

The visa-free policy was first trialed in December 2023, allowing passport holders from Malaysia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and The Netherlands to enter the country without a visa.

The new expanded trial, beginning in just a few days, will enable passport holders from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea to visit the country visa-free.

China’s visa-free policy enables travel to China for up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, or transit. Citizens from other countries and those who do not meet the visa-free policy requirements will still need to obtain a visa to enter the country.

This trial is set to run until December 31, 2025.