With China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free entry now formally in force for 45 nations as of 10 November 2025, travel media are issuing last-minute guidance for would-be visitors. Prestige Online’s 9 November explainer walks readers through eligibility—covering most of Europe plus Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and several South American and Gulf states—and reminds travellers that stays over 30 days or any work, study or media activity still require the appropriate visa.
The piece highlights practical checks: visitors must hold six-month-valid passports, proof of onward or return travel, and in some airports be prepared to show accommodation bookings. Airlines have updated Timatic databases, but carriers warn that check-in agents may initially err on the side of caution; passengers should therefore carry printouts of official MFA notices.
![What Travellers Need to Know as China’s Expanded Visa-Free Entry Takes Effect]()
For corporate mobility managers the extension simplifies short-term business trips and vendor visits, reducing lead times that previously stretched to two weeks for an M-visa. Companies are advised to revisit travel-approval workflows to capitalise on the waiver and to brief staff on China’s health-declaration QR code, still required on arrival.
The article also notes that Sweden joins the scheme for the first time, and that the policy is guaranteed until 31 December 2026, providing rare medium-term certainty in China’s entry regime. Analysts expect an uptick in inbound traffic over the Lunar New Year peak, with Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital preparing additional immigration booths to handle traffic surges.
The piece highlights practical checks: visitors must hold six-month-valid passports, proof of onward or return travel, and in some airports be prepared to show accommodation bookings. Airlines have updated Timatic databases, but carriers warn that check-in agents may initially err on the side of caution; passengers should therefore carry printouts of official MFA notices.
For corporate mobility managers the extension simplifies short-term business trips and vendor visits, reducing lead times that previously stretched to two weeks for an M-visa. Companies are advised to revisit travel-approval workflows to capitalise on the waiver and to brief staff on China’s health-declaration QR code, still required on arrival.
The article also notes that Sweden joins the scheme for the first time, and that the policy is guaranteed until 31 December 2026, providing rare medium-term certainty in China’s entry regime. Analysts expect an uptick in inbound traffic over the Lunar New Year peak, with Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital preparing additional immigration booths to handle traffic surges.
