China will extend its visa-free entry policy for countries including France to December 31, 2026 and expand the scheme to cover Sweden, effective November 10, the foreign ministry said on Monday.
Effective November 10, citizens of Sweden will be able to travel to China without a visa for short-term stays. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning did not, however, specify which additional countries beyond France will benefit from the extension. The existing policy, originally due to expire at the end of this year, applies to over 30 countries including Spain and Germany.
The visa-free arrangement allows eligible travelers to visit China for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 30 days without a visa. Currently, the policy covers citizens from much of Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several nations across South America and the Gulf region.
The move forms part of Beijing’s broader efforts to revitalize tourism and strengthen global engagement, following years of pandemic-related restrictions that significantly slowed foreign travel to the world’s second-largest economy.
