By Wale Odunsi

China has extended its visa-free policy with dozens of allied countries to December 31, 2026, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday.

The decision approved by the Communist Party Central Committee aims to facilitate seamless cross-border travel between China and foreign partners.

Findings show that the policy had been in effect for most beneficiary nations until December 31, 2025, and in separate months in 2026 for others.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has added Sweden to the visa-free scheme effective from November 10, 2025, to December 31, 2026.

China presently offers visa-free travel to citizens from at least 50 nations. Holders of ordinary passports can stay up to 30 days for business, tourism, and exchange visits.

The countries are Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, and Greece.

Others include Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Norway, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Kuwait, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

Also on the list are Japan, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Peru, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Slovakia, Netherlands, and Uruguay.

In April, China and Malaysia signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption as part of measures to strengthen their bilateral relations.

The pact followed President Xi? Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia, where he met with the King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, and held talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Currently, Chinese passport holders can enter over 90 countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival, while the number of nations eligible for visa-free transit to China has increased to 55.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, about 27 million foreign visitors entered China in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 96 percent.