China and Russia officially switched on a sweeping mutual visa-waiver programme on 11 December, eliminating entry-permit requirements for ordinary passport holders of either country for stays of up to 30 days. Beijing’s waiver for Russians, first trial-launched in September, has now been mirrored by Moscow, creating what officials describe as one of the largest bilateral visa-free zones in the world. The agreement applies to tourism, family visits, commercial meetings and cultural exchanges, but excludes long-term work or study.
Early indicators point to a surge in demand: Chinese online agency Tongcheng said search queries for “Russia winter tour” tripled week-on-week, while Russian carrier Aeroflot reported that bookings on its Moscow-Shanghai route are up 41 percent for the January holiday peak. Regional airports in Harbin, Hailar and Vladivostok are positioning themselves as hub gateways, adding extra charter frequencies for group tours and ski packages.
![Beijing and Moscow activate reciprocal 30-day visa-free travel corridor]()
For travellers who still need assistance with documents that fall outside the new 30-day visa-free window—such as work permits, student visas or onward transit paperwork—VisaHQ can help streamline the process. Its China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) provides up-to-date requirements, fee calculators and concierge support, ensuring both individuals and corporate mobility teams secure the right paperwork quickly and reliably.
Beyond leisure, the waiver is expected to grease the wheels of cross-border trade in energy and logistics. Executives in the oil-services sector said short-cycle visits for contract negotiations can now be arranged “in days rather than weeks,” cutting costs tied to visa invitations and courier fees. Freight forwarders anticipate smoother crew changes on the China–Europe rail corridor via Russia, potentially reducing delays that plagued multimodal shipments during the pandemic years.
Both governments have set a mid-September 2026 expiry for the pilot but left the door open to extension subject to a joint review of security and economic outcomes. Travellers are advised to carry proof of onward travel and travel insurance, as border officials retain discretion to request supporting documentation. HR and mobility teams should update destination guides, factoring in the new waiver when planning rotations between Chinese and Russian project sites.
Early indicators point to a surge in demand: Chinese online agency Tongcheng said search queries for “Russia winter tour” tripled week-on-week, while Russian carrier Aeroflot reported that bookings on its Moscow-Shanghai route are up 41 percent for the January holiday peak. Regional airports in Harbin, Hailar and Vladivostok are positioning themselves as hub gateways, adding extra charter frequencies for group tours and ski packages.
For travellers who still need assistance with documents that fall outside the new 30-day visa-free window—such as work permits, student visas or onward transit paperwork—VisaHQ can help streamline the process. Its China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) provides up-to-date requirements, fee calculators and concierge support, ensuring both individuals and corporate mobility teams secure the right paperwork quickly and reliably.
Beyond leisure, the waiver is expected to grease the wheels of cross-border trade in energy and logistics. Executives in the oil-services sector said short-cycle visits for contract negotiations can now be arranged “in days rather than weeks,” cutting costs tied to visa invitations and courier fees. Freight forwarders anticipate smoother crew changes on the China–Europe rail corridor via Russia, potentially reducing delays that plagued multimodal shipments during the pandemic years.
Both governments have set a mid-September 2026 expiry for the pilot but left the door open to extension subject to a joint review of security and economic outcomes. Travellers are advised to carry proof of onward travel and travel insurance, as border officials retain discretion to request supporting documentation. HR and mobility teams should update destination guides, factoring in the new waiver when planning rotations between Chinese and Russian project sites.
