Skift Take
China’s new visa-free program shows just how eager it is to bring back tourists. It’s already drawing in new visitors, but reaching pre-pandemic numbers is still a challenge. The real question is: can they keep travelers coming back? These relaxed visa rules are a great start, but turning them into long-term success will take more effort.
China has now announced visa-free entry for citizens of 5 countries — Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia starting October 15. With this move, nationals from these countries can now visit China for up to 15 days without needing a visa.
The expansion builds on a broader push by China to attract more foreign tourists and boost its tourism sector, which is still struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels.
China’s visa-free policy now extends to 18 European countries, including earlier additions such as Norway in September and Poland in July. This gradual expansion signals a strategic effort to lure more European tourists back to the mainland. Citize