Starting November 8, nationals from six additional Schengen countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Slovakia—will be eligible for visa-free entry to China for up to 15 days. This exemption applies to travelers visiting for tourism, business, family visits, and transit.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently confirmed that passport holders from these countries can enter China without a visa starting on November 8 until December 31, 2025, as reported by Monte OZ Travels. This move aims to encourage cross-border travel, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
On the same date, travelers from two other European microstates, Andorra and Monaco, will also gain visa-free access to China under the same terms, extending through the end of 2025.
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced this policy expansion during a recent meeting with Finland’s President, Alexander Stub. Jinping shared that including Finland on the visa-free list will deepen ties and foster cultural exchange between the two nations, welcoming Finnish visitors for business, tourism, and study.
In a separate discussion in September, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with President Xi Jinping to discuss Norway-China relations. Following their conversation, Xi confirmed that Norway would also be included in China’s visa-free policy, marking a new phase in the 70-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Støre described the exchange as productive and transparent, covering shared priorities as well as differences in perspective.
China’s Visa-Free Policy: Recent Extensions for Other European Countries
In June, China initiated a visa-free arrangement with Poland, allowing Polish citizens to visit China for up to 15 days without a visa. Earlier in the year, in March, China extended similar provisions to Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Ireland, permitting citizens of these nations to visit for tourism, business, family visits, and transit. This arrangement is set to remain active until November 30, 2024.
These recent changes reflect China’s broader efforts to promote international connectivity, making it easier for people from across Europe to engage in short-term travel to China.