Russia allows visa-free entry for Chinese nationals
The initiative mirrors Beijing’s recent decision to extend similar visa-free access to Russian citizens.
President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that permits visa-free entry into Russia for Chinese citizens, allowing them to stay for periods of up to 30 days.
This development is a reciprocal action, following Beijing’s recent move to offer the same visa-free access to Russian nationals. China had introduced this measure on a one-year trial basis in September, aiming to further ease travel between the two nations.
Chinese passport holders are now eligible for visa-free travel to Russia for purposes including private visits, business, tourism, or participation in scientific, cultural, political, economic, or sporting events. The new policy takes effect on December 1 and is initially set to remain in place until September 14, 2026.
Putin had previously expressed his approval of Beijing’s decision to allow visa-free entry for Russians, stating it would “undoubtedly” serve to deepen cultural and economic relations between the countries, and had vowed that Moscow would take corresponding reciprocal steps.
The impact of this policy shift is already evident in travel figures, with the number of Russian visitors to China increasing by 30-40% year-on-year in October.
Two years prior, Russia and China had agreed on visa-free travel for organized tour groups, a measure that also contributed to boosting tourism. Between January and July of the current year, 237,000 Russians traveled to China, while 262,000 Chinese tourists visited Russia.
Currently, eight Russian airlines operate 36 flight routes to China, and ten Chinese carriers service 24 routes to Russia, collectively amounting to approximately 230 flights weekly.
According to Aeroflot, Russia’s national flag carrier, passenger traffic to China nearly tripled in 2024, reaching 830,000 travelers. Demand was primarily focused on key destinations such as Hainan Island, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.