Here is a comprehensive overview of the latest visa-free policies in 2025, covering China’s visa-free policies for foreigners. It is updated according to the latest developments:

I. China’s Visa-Free Policies for Foreigners (2025 Update)

Expansion of Visa-Free Countries to 38
Since November 30, 2024, 9 new countries including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan have been added to the pilot visa-free list. As a result, the total number of visa-free countries has reached 38.
The visa-free stay period has been extended to 30 days, and the purposes of visit include business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit (previously 15 days).

Complete Categorized List of 38 Countries
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visa-free countries include:

32 European Countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, etc. (including the newly added 9 Eastern European countries).

4 Asian Countries: Japan, South Korea, Brunei, and Malaysia.

2 Oceanian Countries: Australia and New Zealand.

II. Important Notes

Policy Validity: The pilot period for China’s visa-free policy for foreigners will last until December 31, 2025, and may be adjusted in the future.

Visa-Free Restrictions: Visa-free entry is not allowed for work, study, or news reporting. If staying beyond the permitted period, a visa must be applied for in advance.

Non-Ordinary Passports: Those holding non-ordinary passports (such as official passports) need to check the bilateral agreements.

Pre-Departure Confirmation: As policies in various countries are updated dynamically, it is recommended to verify the latest requirements through the China Consular Service Network or the official website of the destination country before departure.

The visa-free policy has become a “golden business card” for China’s opening-up. It not only attracts foreign tourists to experience the vitality of China’s culture and economy (for example, Japanese scholars can visit China 12 times a year with visa-free access), but also provides convenience for Chinese citizens to “travel at will”. It is suggested to set aside one week before traveling to check the latest requirements to avoid itinerary being affected by minor policy changes.