BEIJING – China has announced visa-free travel for citizens of various countries on a trial-basis, starting from December 1, 2023.

The announcement was made by a spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week during a routine press briefing. He said the service has been launched in order “to further facilitate cross-border travel and China’s high-quality development and high-standard opening up”.

List of Countries Allowed Visa-Free Travel to China

China has decided to apply unilateral visa-free policy to more countries on a trial basis, which involves extending visa-free treatment to travelers holding ordinary passports from six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.

From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, citizens from the above-mentioned countries holding ordinary passports can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for no more than 15 days for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes, the ministry said.

However, Pakistan has not been added to the list.

Earlier, the exempt was granted to citizens of Singapore and Brunei, who are entering China for business, tourism, family visits and transit for no more than 15 days.