China grants visa exemption to 4 more countries

China has included four more countries in its visa-exemption program, raising the number of countries to which it grants unilateral visa-free travel to 47. This decision was announced following the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

China has granted visa-free entry to all member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Previously, mutual visa-exemption agreements were signed with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in 2018.

Seeking to revive tourism in the post-pandemic period, the Chinese administration continues to grant unilateral visa-free travel rights to many countries, primarily in Europe and Asia. Citizens of countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and Malaysia can travel to China visa-free for up to 15 days.

Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg were included in the visa-exemption program as of March 14, 2024; Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan as of November 30, 2024; and Latin American countries Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay as of June 12, 2025.

China currently maintains mutual visa-exemption agreements for standard passports with 18 countries, and this number is higher for holders of diplomatic passports.

IS THERE A VISA EXEMPTION FOR TURKISH CITIZENS?

Turkish citizens are required to obtain a visa for travel to mainland China. Holders of ordinary passports must apply for a visa at the relevant Chinese diplomatic missions before traveling to China.

Turkish citizens traveling to Hong Kong and Macau are exempt from visas. However, a visa must be obtained to cross from these regions into mainland China; visa applications cannot be made from Hong Kong or Macau.

Those traveling from China to Hong Kong and returning to China are advised to obtain a double-entry visa. In cases of visa violations, sanctions such as fines, imprisonment, and bans on entry to China are applied.

News Source: 12punto