China has announced a one-year, trial visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Russia, enabling them to enter the country for up to 30 days without a visa. The initiative, confirmed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, will run from September 15, 2025, through September 14, 2026. This move allows Russian nationals entry for purposes including business, tourism, visiting relatives, cultural or academic exchanges, and transit stays under 30 days.
At a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun emphasized the policy aims to deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the growing strategic partnership between China and Russia. He stated that China is extending its visa-free list under the direction of top leaders and welcomes more frequent visits from “Russian friends”.
The Russian travel sector has welcomed the announcement. The Russian Union of Travel Industry described the decision as “amazing news” that will fundamentally change how Russians approach travel to China, while the Association of Tour Operators of Russia anticipates a surge in tourist numbers of 30–40%. Flight and hotel search data from platforms like Qunar.com already reflect a boom—flight searches from Moscow have nearly doubled week-on-year, with some volume surging to four times the usual rate.
This diplomatic gesture comes amid a backdrop of deepening China–Russia ties. On the eve of a grand military parade in Beijing, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s WWII defeat—President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping praised the “unprecedentedly high” level of bilateral relations. Among the agreements signed was the visa-free travel plan for Russians commencing mid-September.
