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Beijing to Allow Visa-Free Travel for Russians for One Year Starting September 2025
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China will introduce aa pilot visa-free policy for Russian citizens from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced at a briefing in Beijing on September 2.
The new arrangement allows Russian nationals to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for purposes including business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
“China attaches great importance to strengthening exchanges between the peoples of the two countries and supports enhanced interaction between citizens,” Guo said. He added, “We invite more Russian friends to visit China more often.”
Until now, Russian citizens were required to obtain visas to enter China, with procedures varying by purpose of travel. Tourist and business visas typically allowed stays of up to 30 days, while longer-term visas for work or study required additional documentation and approvals.
The application process involved submitting invitations, proof of funds, and travel itineraries, often taking several days or weeks for approval.
The new policy is aimed at easing travel and boosting cross-border exchanges. It follows similar visa-free or visa-simplification measures that China has introduced in recent years for citizens of selected countries, reflecting Beijing’s broader strategy of facilitating international engagement while strengthening ties with Moscow.
Earlier, it was reported that Russia’s Gazprom signed a memorandum with China on constructing the “Power of Siberia-2” gas pipeline through Mongolia, potentially supplying up to 50 billion cubic meters annually over 30 years.
