In the clearest sign yet of fast-deepening mobility ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin on 1 December 2025 signed an executive order allowing holders of ordinary Chinese passports to enter Russia without a visa for up to 30 days until 14 September 2026 . The waiver applies to tourism, business trips, family visits, cultural and sporting events and even simple transit, removing a paperwork burden that previously required biometric data, invitation letters and fees.
Beijing launched a reciprocal 30-day visa-free trial for Russian citizens in September, but Moscow’s move goes further by covering virtually all individual Chinese travellers rather than only group tours. Within hours of the announcement, Chinese online travel agencies reported flight-search spikes of up to eight-fold, while Qunar said searches on its Beijing–Moscow route jumped 44 per cent . Aeroflot and China Eastern are already evaluating up-gauging aircraft and reopening seasonal secondary routes such as Ningbo-Vladivostok.
![Russia grants 30-day visa-free entry to Chinese travellers, triggering surge in demand]()
For multinational companies operating across the Sino-Russian corridor—from energy projects in the Amur region to e-commerce warehouses in Harbin—the exemption slashes lead times for staff rotations, acceptance tests and short-term technical assignments. Mobility managers should update travel policies immediately, reminding employees that work or study activities and stays beyond 30 days still require the appropriate permits.
Travellers must carry onward-travel proof, accommodation confirmations and register with local authorities if staying in private housing. Russian border officials have hinted at routine invitation checks to deter misuse. In Beijing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the policy as “good news that will give an all-round boost” to bilateral friendship and urged citizens of both countries to ‘discover each other’s beautiful scenery’ .
Analysts expect Chinese arrivals in Russia to surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels as early as spring 2026, driven by pent-up leisure demand and the appeal of a weak rouble. The move also cements a broader trend of China expanding—or reciprocating—visa-free regimes to re-energise outbound travel and people-to-people links.
Beijing launched a reciprocal 30-day visa-free trial for Russian citizens in September, but Moscow’s move goes further by covering virtually all individual Chinese travellers rather than only group tours. Within hours of the announcement, Chinese online travel agencies reported flight-search spikes of up to eight-fold, while Qunar said searches on its Beijing–Moscow route jumped 44 per cent . Aeroflot and China Eastern are already evaluating up-gauging aircraft and reopening seasonal secondary routes such as Ningbo-Vladivostok.
For multinational companies operating across the Sino-Russian corridor—from energy projects in the Amur region to e-commerce warehouses in Harbin—the exemption slashes lead times for staff rotations, acceptance tests and short-term technical assignments. Mobility managers should update travel policies immediately, reminding employees that work or study activities and stays beyond 30 days still require the appropriate permits.
Travellers must carry onward-travel proof, accommodation confirmations and register with local authorities if staying in private housing. Russian border officials have hinted at routine invitation checks to deter misuse. In Beijing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the policy as “good news that will give an all-round boost” to bilateral friendship and urged citizens of both countries to ‘discover each other’s beautiful scenery’ .
Analysts expect Chinese arrivals in Russia to surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels as early as spring 2026, driven by pent-up leisure demand and the appeal of a weak rouble. The move also cements a broader trend of China expanding—or reciprocating—visa-free regimes to re-energise outbound travel and people-to-people links.
