Peru Joins Latvia, Malta, Luxembourg, Poland, Iceland, Romania, Portugal, Montenegro And Many Other European Nations As China Unveils New Thirty-Day Visa-Free Access Supercharging Tourism For Europeans

Published on
January 31, 2026

China is taking a bold step to reshape its inbound tourism strategy by rolling out new thirty-day visa-free access for travellers from Peru, Latvia, Malta, Luxembourg, Poland, Iceland, Romania, Portugal, Montenegro and many other European nations, a move designed to eliminate long-standing entry barriers, encourage spontaneous and longer stays, boost airline and hospitality demand, and accelerate tourism growth from Europe as international travel confidence strengthens and competition for high-value visitors intensifies.

China’s tourism industry is picking up pace, and the latest move by authorities signals just how serious the country is about welcoming more international visitors. Travel to China, once known for paperwork-heavy visa processes, has become significantly easier. For trips planned before the end of next year, travelers from a growing list of countries can now enter China without a visa and stay for up to thirty days.

The latest announcement expands visa-free access to forty-seven countries, most of them in Europe, with several key markets in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and the Americas also included. The United Kingdom is part of this expanded list, opening the door for British travelers to explore China with fewer barriers than ever before.

This policy shift is not happening in isolation. It is part of a broader strategy to revive and accelerate tourism growth after years of restricted travel. Officials are leaning heavily on visa-free entry as a way to make the country more competitive in the global tourism market, particularly as travelers increasingly prioritize destinations that are simple to enter and easy to navigate.

The results so far suggest the strategy is working. During the third quarter of two thousand twenty-five, more than seven million foreign visitors entered China using the visa-free policy. That figure represented a sharp increase compared to the same period a year earlier. Even more telling is the share of arrivals: nearly three quarters of all inbound travelers during that period used the visa-free system rather than applying for traditional visas.

These numbers underline a clear shift in how people are choosing to travel to China. Short stays, city breaks, business trips, and multi-country itineraries have become far more attractive now that visitors can enter without lengthy approval processes. For tourism authorities, the policy helps boost visitor numbers quickly while encouraging spending across hotels, transport, attractions, and retail.

Alongside the unilateral visa-free expansion, China has also signed bilateral agreements with several countries, allowing mutual visa-free travel for their citizens. These agreements further broaden access and strengthen travel ties beyond the standard tourist market. Combined, the unilateral and bilateral arrangements represent one of the most open entry frameworks China has introduced in decades.

For travelers, the benefits are practical and immediate. Visa-free entry removes application fees, reduces waiting times, and lowers the risk of travel plans being disrupted by paperwork delays. It also makes last-minute trips more feasible, whether for leisure, events, or business meetings. For destinations within China, especially cities outside the traditional tourist circuit, the policy offers a chance to attract new audiences who may have previously overlooked the country due to entry restrictions.

The list of eligible countries is wide-ranging and reflects China’s focus on diversified source markets. Travelers from the following forty-seven countries can now enter China visa-free for stays of up to thirty days:

Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kuwait
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Uruguay

This mix highlights a strong European presence, complemented by key partners in Asia-Pacific, the Gulf region, and South America. It also signals where tourism authorities see the greatest potential for growth in outbound travel to China.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the policy, there is still some uncertainty about its long-term future. Current guidance suggests the visa-free expansion will remain in place until the end of two thousand twenty-six, but there has been no confirmation on whether it will be extended beyond that point. For now, travelers are being encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity while it is available.

For the tourism sector, the timing is critical. Airlines are rebuilding networks, hotels are reopening or expanding, and regional destinations are investing heavily in infrastructure and visitor experiences. Visa-free access acts as a catalyst, helping convert this investment into actual arrivals.

For visitors, the change offers a rare chance to explore China with minimal bureaucracy. From major cities to lesser-known regions, the country is positioning itself as more open, more accessible, and more competitive in a crowded global travel market. With strong growth already visible in visa-free arrivals, the policy is shaping up to be one of the most influential tourism decisions China has made in recent years.