China’s decision to extend 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden is the first time Nordic passport holders can visit the world’s second-largest economy without advance paperwork.
Background and details: The new policy—effective immediately and running through 2026—covers business, tourism, family and short-term study trips of up to 30 days. It forms part of a wider initiative that now exempts 50 nationalities from the standard L- or M-visa process. Travelers must still hold a passport valid for six months, a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation, but no embassy appointment or visa fee is required.
Why it matters for Finnish corporates: China remains Finland’s fourth-largest trading partner; pre-pandemic, more than 120 Finnish firms maintained operations on the mainland. Eliminating visa lead-times (which averaged 5–10 working days) removes friction for engineers, project managers and sales teams who need to mobilize at short notice. Sectors likely to benefit first include clean-tech, pulp-and-paper machinery and winter-sports training services linked to the 2029 Harbin Asian Winter Games.
![China grants 30-day visa-free entry to Finnish travelers]()
Travel operations: Finnair, already rebuilding its Helsinki–Shanghai and Helsinki–Beijing frequencies, told TTW it will evaluate additional seasonal capacity once load factors reach 80 %. Finnish inbound tour operators are likewise preparing Lapland-to-China “two-way” packages, anticipating a rebound of Chinese visitors when reciprocity expands.
For Nordic travelers whose itineraries still demand traditional paperwork—such as multi-entry projects or stays beyond the 30-day waiver—VisaHQ can take the administrative load off your desk. Through its Finnish portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/), the company assembles required documents, books consular appointments and tracks real-time rule changes, making it easier to align complex travel plans across China and other markets.
Practical tips:
• Check that your passport is stamped “Visa Exempt” on arrival; overstays incur RMB 500 per day.
• Travelers needing multiple entries beyond 30 days should still apply for a conventional visa.
• Carry a printed hotel booking—authorities in some regional airports still request hard copies.
Looking ahead: Beijing has hinted the scheme could be prolonged or made permanent if visitor numbers hit 2019 levels (about 20 000 Finns). Companies relying on frequent shuttles should monitor bilateral talks scheduled for Q3 2026, which may add work-permit fast tracks for Nordic specialists.
Background and details: The new policy—effective immediately and running through 2026—covers business, tourism, family and short-term study trips of up to 30 days. It forms part of a wider initiative that now exempts 50 nationalities from the standard L- or M-visa process. Travelers must still hold a passport valid for six months, a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation, but no embassy appointment or visa fee is required.
Why it matters for Finnish corporates: China remains Finland’s fourth-largest trading partner; pre-pandemic, more than 120 Finnish firms maintained operations on the mainland. Eliminating visa lead-times (which averaged 5–10 working days) removes friction for engineers, project managers and sales teams who need to mobilize at short notice. Sectors likely to benefit first include clean-tech, pulp-and-paper machinery and winter-sports training services linked to the 2029 Harbin Asian Winter Games.
Travel operations: Finnair, already rebuilding its Helsinki–Shanghai and Helsinki–Beijing frequencies, told TTW it will evaluate additional seasonal capacity once load factors reach 80 %. Finnish inbound tour operators are likewise preparing Lapland-to-China “two-way” packages, anticipating a rebound of Chinese visitors when reciprocity expands.
For Nordic travelers whose itineraries still demand traditional paperwork—such as multi-entry projects or stays beyond the 30-day waiver—VisaHQ can take the administrative load off your desk. Through its Finnish portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/), the company assembles required documents, books consular appointments and tracks real-time rule changes, making it easier to align complex travel plans across China and other markets.
Practical tips:
• Check that your passport is stamped “Visa Exempt” on arrival; overstays incur RMB 500 per day.
• Travelers needing multiple entries beyond 30 days should still apply for a conventional visa.
• Carry a printed hotel booking—authorities in some regional airports still request hard copies.
Looking ahead: Beijing has hinted the scheme could be prolonged or made permanent if visitor numbers hit 2019 levels (about 20 000 Finns). Companies relying on frequent shuttles should monitor bilateral talks scheduled for Q3 2026, which may add work-permit fast tracks for Nordic specialists.
