Beijing has quietly extended its unilateral 30-day visa-waiver scheme for citizens of 48 countries—including Poland—until 31 December 2026. The notice, issued on 3 November and highlighted by Chinese and Polish state media on 10 November, means that Polish passport-holders can continue to enter China for business, tourism or family visits without a visa and stay for up to one month per trip.
Background: China first trialled a short-term visa-free programme with 12 EU states in 2024 to help revive inbound tourism after the Covid-19 shutdown. The policy was broadened in early 2025 and now covers most Schengen members plus the UK and Australia. Poland’s inclusion coincides with LOT Polish Airlines restoring daily Warsaw–Beijing flights and Chinese consulates resuming issuance of multiple-entry business visas on arrival.
![China Keeps 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Poles Until End-2026]()
Business implications:
• Polish manufacturers can send engineers and sales staff to Chinese plants without waiting for Z-type invitation letters.
• SMEs save roughly PLN 990 (≈€225) per single-entry visa, cutting travel budgets.
• The waiver is single-entry and cannot be extended in-country; travellers needing longer stays must still obtain the appropriate visa in advance.
Practical advice: confirm at check-in that your passport has at least six months’ validity and two blank pages; airlines have denied boarding when system updates lag behind policy changes. Carry a return ticket and hotel booking as Chinese immigration frequently asks for proof of onward travel under the waiver.
Strategic view: the extension cements China’s push to rebuild commercial ties with Central Europe at a time when EU–China relations are tense over electric-vehicle tariffs. For Polish exporters, easier travel can help diversify markets beyond the saturated EU—particularly in agri-food, cosmetics and gaming, where Polish brands have gained traction in China.
Background: China first trialled a short-term visa-free programme with 12 EU states in 2024 to help revive inbound tourism after the Covid-19 shutdown. The policy was broadened in early 2025 and now covers most Schengen members plus the UK and Australia. Poland’s inclusion coincides with LOT Polish Airlines restoring daily Warsaw–Beijing flights and Chinese consulates resuming issuance of multiple-entry business visas on arrival.
Business implications:
• Polish manufacturers can send engineers and sales staff to Chinese plants without waiting for Z-type invitation letters.
• SMEs save roughly PLN 990 (≈€225) per single-entry visa, cutting travel budgets.
• The waiver is single-entry and cannot be extended in-country; travellers needing longer stays must still obtain the appropriate visa in advance.
Practical advice: confirm at check-in that your passport has at least six months’ validity and two blank pages; airlines have denied boarding when system updates lag behind policy changes. Carry a return ticket and hotel booking as Chinese immigration frequently asks for proof of onward travel under the waiver.
Strategic view: the extension cements China’s push to rebuild commercial ties with Central Europe at a time when EU–China relations are tense over electric-vehicle tariffs. For Polish exporters, easier travel can help diversify markets beyond the saturated EU—particularly in agri-food, cosmetics and gaming, where Polish brands have gained traction in China.
