China extends visa-free entry to 74 countries – but with notable exceptions

China has significantly loosened its visa policy, now allowing citizens from 74 countries to enter for up to 30 days without a visa.

This move aims to revitalise the country’s tourism sector and economy and is already drawing a noticeable increase in foreign visitors.

However, there are notable exceptions: The United Kingdom and the United States are among the countries not on the visa-free list.

According to the National Immigration Administration, over 20 million foreign visitors entered China visa-free in 2024, almost one-third of the total and more than double the previous year’s figure.

This surge comes as China continues its post-pandemic recovery, with 13.8 million visitors in 2023, less than half the 31.9 million recorded in 2019.

The eased restrictions are proving popular with travellers.

Georgi Shavadze, a Georgian living in Austria, remarked during a recent Beijing visit: “This really helps people to travel because it is such a hassle to apply for a visa and go through the process.”

While domestic tourists still largely outnumber international visitors, travel companies and guides are now preparing for a substantial influx of summer holidaymakers.

Veteran English-speaking tour guide Gao Jun, who has over two decades of experience, said he is “practically overwhelmed with tours and struggling to keep up”.

To meet the surging demand, he has launched a new venture to train aspiring English-speaking guides, saying: “I just can’t handle them all on my own.”

“I’m practically overwhelmed with tours and struggling to keep up,” says Gao Jun, a veteran English-speaking tour guide with over 20 years of experience.

To meet growing demand, he launched a new business to train anyone interested in becoming an English-speaking tour guide.

“I just can’t handle them all on my own,” he said.

After lifting tough Covid-19 restrictions, China reopened its borders to tourists in early 2023, but only 13.8 million people visited in that year, less than half the 31.9 million in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.

30 days for many in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Mideast

In December 2023, China announced visa-free entry for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Almost all of Europe has…