In a new step to re-energise inbound business travel and tourism, China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) issued a notice on 7 November confirming that its unilateral visa-free programme for 44 countries will be prolonged to 24:00 on 31 December 2026. The same circular announces that, from 10 November 2025, ordinary-passport holders from Sweden will also enjoy 30-day visa-free entry for business, tourism, family visits, transit or cultural exchanges.
The extension cements a policy first rolled out piecemeal in late-2023 to rebuild international connectivity after the pandemic and to shore up consumption. Countries covered span all of Europe’s Schengen area plus Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and nine Latin-American and Gulf states. Travellers who meet the conditions may enter any mainland port, remain for up to 30 days per visit and make multiple visits during the validity window, eliminating the need for a consular visa or China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) appointment.
For multinationals, the move removes a major logistical barrier that had driven up compliance costs on short-notice trips by executives, engineers and sales staff. Procurement teams can now rotate expatriates through China on a rolling basis; regional headquarters in Singapore or Hong Kong can dispatch talent without visa lead-times; and event organisers can market conferences with clear entry terms through 2026.
![China Extends Unilateral Visa-Free Entry to 44 Countries and Adds Sweden, Valid to End-2026]()
Chinese tourism boards are also optimistic. Prior to COVID-19, Sweden sent more than 170,000 visitors a year to China. Industry stakeholders expect pent-up demand for winter sports, design fairs and study tours to revive flight routes such as Stockholm–Beijing and Gothenburg–Shanghai once the 30-day waiver takes effect.
Companies should still remind travellers that the waiver covers stays of 30 days per entry, cannot be extended onshore, and that those engaging in media, religious or other restricted activities must secure appropriate permits in advance. Travellers exceeding 30 days or changing purpose will need to convert to the correct visa at exit-entry bureaux inside China.
Overall, the announcement signals Beijing’s intention to keep borders open and predictable for at least the next 14 months, giving corporates a firmer planning horizon for assignments, rotations and in-person deal making.
The extension cements a policy first rolled out piecemeal in late-2023 to rebuild international connectivity after the pandemic and to shore up consumption. Countries covered span all of Europe’s Schengen area plus Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and nine Latin-American and Gulf states. Travellers who meet the conditions may enter any mainland port, remain for up to 30 days per visit and make multiple visits during the validity window, eliminating the need for a consular visa or China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) appointment.
For multinationals, the move removes a major logistical barrier that had driven up compliance costs on short-notice trips by executives, engineers and sales staff. Procurement teams can now rotate expatriates through China on a rolling basis; regional headquarters in Singapore or Hong Kong can dispatch talent without visa lead-times; and event organisers can market conferences with clear entry terms through 2026.
Chinese tourism boards are also optimistic. Prior to COVID-19, Sweden sent more than 170,000 visitors a year to China. Industry stakeholders expect pent-up demand for winter sports, design fairs and study tours to revive flight routes such as Stockholm–Beijing and Gothenburg–Shanghai once the 30-day waiver takes effect.
Companies should still remind travellers that the waiver covers stays of 30 days per entry, cannot be extended onshore, and that those engaging in media, religious or other restricted activities must secure appropriate permits in advance. Travellers exceeding 30 days or changing purpose will need to convert to the correct visa at exit-entry bureaux inside China.
Overall, the announcement signals Beijing’s intention to keep borders open and predictable for at least the next 14 months, giving corporates a firmer planning horizon for assignments, rotations and in-person deal making.
