Beginning June 1, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy trial for five countries - Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, adding new members to its visa-free "circle of friends." This marks the first time China's visa-free policy has been extended to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
With this expansion, the number of countries eligible for China's unilateral visa-free policy has now reached 43. On the first day of implementation, airports in Shenzhen (Guangdong), Kunming (Yunnan), Hangzhou (Zhejiang), and other mainland cities welcomed the first batch of travelers from these five Latin American countries enjoying the new visa-free convenience. These passengers unanimously stated that visa-free entry is extremely convenient and will actively promote bilateral exchanges, expressing their intention to fully enjoy the benefits brought by China's visa-free policy in the future.
To further facilitate personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries, China recently expanded the scope of its visa-free policy again. From June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, ordinary passport holders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transit stays not exceeding 30 days.
Not long ago, China announced it would implement a trial visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, achieving "full coverage" of visa-free access for GCC member states.
Travelers praise convenience for tourism and business in China
The new unilateral visa-free measures were immediately met with positive responses from citizens of relevant countries. Industry experts predict that after the trial implementation of the visa-free policy, more Latin American tourists will enter China for sightseeing and business exchanges. Starting early morning on June 1, multiple mainland airports welcomed their first visa-free travelers from these five Latin American countries.
"This is my first time coming to China, to Shenzhen," said a Brazilian passenger at 5:56 am, who arrived at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport via Hainan Airlines flight HU750 from Madrid, Spain. With efficient facilitation by border inspection authorities, he smoothly entered China, becoming the first foreign passenger to enjoy the new policy at Shenzhen Airport.
He also said the visa-free process saved significant time, and he plans to visit Shenzhen and Guangzhou with Chinese friends to experience high-tech products and enjoy local cuisine.
"Visa-free entry is extremely convenient. We can come for tourism, for business, to learn more about China," said another Brazilian traveler who arrived in Hangzhou in the afternoon via QR890 from Doha, Qatar, among the first group from the five Latin American countries to enjoy the new policy in Hangzhou. She completed entry procedures quickly and began her Hangzhou trip, noting this was her sixth visit to China for business purposes but the first time enjoying visa-free entry.
Significant growth in border crossings in 2025
Since December 2023, China has successively implemented unilateral visa-free trial policies for France, Switzerland, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovakia, and other countries. Subsequently, in 2024 alone, foreign nationals entering China under this policy reached 3.391 million person-times, a year-on-year increase of 1,200.6%.
This year, with the positive effects of China's visa-free policies and reciprocal visa exemption agreements, combined with the implementation of convenient instant tax refund measures, immigration policies have seen major benefits, with significant growth in passenger flow at major ports. Data from the National Immigration Administration shows that during this year's Labor Day holiday, the total number of foreign entries and exits reached 1.115 million person-times, including 380,000 entries under visa-free policies, a 72.7% year-on-year increase.
Wen Wei Po journalists learned from multiple mainland border inspection stations that to ensure the smooth implementation of the visa-free policy, border stations have introduced a series of support measures, which include advanced coordination with airlines to establish information-sharing mechanisms for accurate tracking of passenger itineraries, dynamic allocation of duty personnel based on visa-free passenger volumes, and scientific development of duty support plans.
Meanwhile, they have intensified promotion of the self-service declaration system for foreign arrival cards, using new media platforms and electronic displays for multi-channel policy publicity. At entry points, border stations have specially assigned staff to provide policy consultation and clearance guidance for foreign passengers, reminding them of the visa-free policy's applicable scope and relevant precautions to ensure efficient and orderly clearance.
Direct flight routes opened at multiple ports
Additionally, multiple ports have successively opened direct flight routes. For example, Hangzhou port has launched 29 scheduled routes directly connecting to Madrid (Spain), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia), Rome (Italy), and other countries and regions. Since the beginning of this year, the number of passengers from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay entering and exiting through Shenzhen Airport has exceeded 2,000, a nearly 80% year-on-year increase.
(Source: Wen Wei Po: Journalist: Zhao Yicun; English Editor: Darius)
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