Chinese state broadcaster CGTN reported on 28 January that Beijing has formally extended its unilateral visa-free policy for Finnish citizens until 31 December 2026, confirming earlier Ministry of Foreign Affairs notices. The announcement, timed to coincide with Prime Minister Orpo’s visit, means Finns can continue to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism or family visits.
Why this matters Finland is one of only 45 countries worldwide to benefit from China’s waiver, and the extension provides rare, medium-term certainty for corporate travel planners. Before the waiver took effect in 2023, obtaining a single-entry Chinese visa could take up to 15 working days and cost €151 including service fees. Eliminating that requirement saves time and money for Nordic start-ups scouting Chinese partners, researchers attending joint R&D workshops, and tour operators selling Lapland-to-Shanghai winter packages.
Market reaction Visit Finland told CGTN that search volumes for flights to Beijing spiked 42 percent within three hours of the news, while Finnair said it is evaluating the launch of a seasonal Guangzhou route in winter 2026–27. Finnish chamber-of-commerce representatives in Shanghai predict that SME participation in trade fairs such as the China International Import Expo will rebound to pre-pandemic levels next year.
![CGTN: China Extends Visa-Free Access for Finns, Urges More Two-Way Tourism]()
Compliance tips Travellers should note that the waiver covers stays of no more than 30 consecutive days and cannot be extended in-country except in emergencies. Those planning longer assignments must still apply for the appropriate residence permits. Finnish firms are advised to update their travel-risk policies to reflect China’s latest health-insurance requirements for visa-free entrants.
Should Finnish citizens need assistance securing visas for other countries or arranging longer-stay documentation for China, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The service’s Finland portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and real-time tracking for more than 200 destinations, helping both travellers and corporate mobility teams stay compliant with evolving entry rules.
Broader context The extension dovetails with Beijing’s wider push to re-open after years of pandemic controls. CGTN cited Ministry data showing 7.25 million foreign arrivals under various visa-free schemes in Q3 2025—a 48 percent year-on-year jump—highlighting China’s reliance on targeted waivers to revive inbound tourism and business travel.
Why this matters Finland is one of only 45 countries worldwide to benefit from China’s waiver, and the extension provides rare, medium-term certainty for corporate travel planners. Before the waiver took effect in 2023, obtaining a single-entry Chinese visa could take up to 15 working days and cost €151 including service fees. Eliminating that requirement saves time and money for Nordic start-ups scouting Chinese partners, researchers attending joint R&D workshops, and tour operators selling Lapland-to-Shanghai winter packages.
Market reaction Visit Finland told CGTN that search volumes for flights to Beijing spiked 42 percent within three hours of the news, while Finnair said it is evaluating the launch of a seasonal Guangzhou route in winter 2026–27. Finnish chamber-of-commerce representatives in Shanghai predict that SME participation in trade fairs such as the China International Import Expo will rebound to pre-pandemic levels next year.
Compliance tips Travellers should note that the waiver covers stays of no more than 30 consecutive days and cannot be extended in-country except in emergencies. Those planning longer assignments must still apply for the appropriate residence permits. Finnish firms are advised to update their travel-risk policies to reflect China’s latest health-insurance requirements for visa-free entrants.
Should Finnish citizens need assistance securing visas for other countries or arranging longer-stay documentation for China, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The service’s Finland portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and real-time tracking for more than 200 destinations, helping both travellers and corporate mobility teams stay compliant with evolving entry rules.
Broader context The extension dovetails with Beijing’s wider push to re-open after years of pandemic controls. CGTN cited Ministry data showing 7.25 million foreign arrivals under various visa-free schemes in Q3 2025—a 48 percent year-on-year jump—highlighting China’s reliance on targeted waivers to revive inbound tourism and business travel.
