China sees foreign tourists return as visa-free policy expands to 74 countries

Foreign tourists are slowly returning to China as the country relaxes its visa rules more than ever before. People from 74 countries can now visit China for up to 30 days without needing a visa — a big change from earlier restrictions, according to a report from The Hill.

China has been expanding visa-free access to attract more tourists, boost its economy, and strengthen its image abroad. In 2024, over 20 million foreigners entered China without a visa, making up almost a third of all foreign visitors and more than twice the number from the previous year, according to the National Immigration Administration.

“It really makes traveling easier because applying for a visa is such a hassle,” said Georgi Shavadze, a Georgian living in Austria, during a visit to Beijing’s Temple of Heaven.

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While most tourist spots are still crowded mainly with domestic visitors, travel companies and tour guides expect a bigger wave of foreign tourists, especially as the summer holiday season begins.

“I’m practically overwhelmed with tours and struggling to keep up,” said Gao Jun, an English-speaking tour guide with over 20 years of experience. To handle the growing demand, he has started a new business training others to become English-speaking guides. “I just can’t handle them all on my own,” he added.

China reopened its borders to tourists in early 2023 after strict COVID-19 measures, but only 13.8 million people visited that year — less than half the 31.9 million who came in 2019 before the pandemic.

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Visa-free entry has expanded quickly. In December 2023, China allowed travelers from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia to enter without visas. Since then, nearly all of Europe has been added, along with five Latin American countries, Uzbekistan, and four Middle Eastern nations. By July 16, Azerbaijan will bring the total to 75 visa-free countries.

Although the US remains China’s biggest source of foreign tourists — making up about 30 per cent of current business — European visitors now account for 15–20 per cent, a significant jump from less than 5 per cent before 2019, according to travel professional Zhao. “We’re quite optimistic,” Zhao said. “We hope these policies will continue.”