China is granting visa-free entry to passport holders from nine additional countries, effective November 8, 2024, through December 31, 2025.
Citizens from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea can stay in China for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, and transit.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian announced the policy on social media, stating, “China is opening its doors even wider! Starting this Friday, travelers from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and the Republic of Korea will enjoy #visa-free entry for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, and transit!”
The Chinese Visa Application Service Center elaborated that this initiative aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges between China and other nations. While citizens of the nine countries can enter without a visa, those who do not meet the visa-free requirements must apply for a visa prior to traveling to China.
To enter China without a visa, travelers must have a valid ordinary passport and documentation supporting their trip, such as an invitation letter or hotel reservation.
Entry is permitted at any air, land, or sea point, with stays allowed until midnight on the 15th day after arrival. There are no limits on the number of times the visa waiver can be used, but immigration officers determine entry eligibility.
Meanwhile, a journalist and travel editor from a leading Philippine newspaper, a strong proponent of visa-free travel to China for Filipinos, raised the question: “Eh, travelers from the Philippines? When can be visa-free?”
