Russian travelers enter China visa-free as new policy takes effect

Russian travelers are seen on their way to the border inspection hall at a port in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 15, 2025. On Sept. 2, China announced a trial visa-free policy for Russian citizens holding ordinary passports, effective from Sept. 15, 2025, to Sept. 14, 2026.

Russian citizens holding ordinary passports who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends or exchange visits and transit for no more than 30 days can enter China visa-free. (Photo by Liu Song/Xinhua)

An immigration officer helps a Russian traveler with customs clearance at a port in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 15, 2025. On Sept. 2, China announced a trial visa-free policy for Russian citizens holding ordinary passports, effective from Sept. 15, 2025, to Sept. 14, 2026.

Russian citizens holding ordinary passports who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends or exchange visits and transit for no more than 30 days can enter China visa-free. (Photo by Liu Song/Xinhua)

An immigration officer helps Russian travelers to fill in arrival cards in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 15, 2025. On Sept. 2, China announced a trial visa-free policy for Russian citizens holding ordinary passports, effective from Sept. 15, 2025, to Sept. 14, 2026.

Russian citizens holding ordinary passports who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends or exchange visits and transit for no more than 30 days can enter China visa-free. (Xinhua/Tang Siqi)