Latin Americans can now visit China visa-free under a new policy announced by the Chinese government. Starting June 1, 2025, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay will be allowed to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. This visa-free arrangement is set to last until May 31, 2026, and applies to travel for business, tourism, family visits, and transit purposes.
Strengthening China-Latin America Relations
The announcement was made during the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum held in Beijing on May 13, 2025. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Cien stated that this policy aims to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and deepen mutual understanding between China and Latin American countries.
Expanding China’s Visa-Free Program
With the inclusion of these five Latin American countries, the number of nations granted unilateral visa liberalization by China has reached 43. This move aligns with China’s broader strategy to revive international travel and tourism, which had been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, China has extended visa-free travel to several countries, including:
- France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia – 15-day visa-free access starting December 1, 2023
- Singapore – 30-day visa exemption from January 26, 2024
- Thailand – indefinite visa exemption from January 28, 2024
- Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg – as of March 14, 2024
- Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan – from November 30, 2024
Additionally, the visa-free transit policy for travelers from 54 countries has been extended to 10 days, encouraging stopover tourism and more flexible travel planning.
Implications for Travelers
For citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, this policy simplifies the process of traveling to China. Travelers can now plan trips for business meetings, tourism, or visiting family without the need to apply for a visa, provided their stay does not exceed 30 days. However, it’s important to note that this visa exemption does not apply to work, study, or media-related travel, which still requires appropriate visas.
Key Details of the Visa-Free Policy
| Country | Visa-Free Duration | Eligible Purposes | Policy Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Up to 30 days | Business, Tourism, Family Visits, Transit | June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
| Argentina | Up to 30 days | Business, Tourism, Family Visits, Transit | June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
| Chile | Up to 30 days | Business, Tourism, Family Visits, Transit | June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
| Peru | Up to 30 days | Business, Tourism, Family Visits, Transit | June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
| Uruguay | Up to 30 days | Business, Tourism, Family Visits, Transit | June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
China currently offers mutual visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders with 18 countries. It also maintains mutual exemptions for diplomatic, special, and service passport holders with many nations, including Türkiye. With this growing list of unilateral and mutual visa agreements, China continues to position itself as a more accessible destination for global travelers.
