Starting 1 June, and effective for a year, passport holders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay will be allowed to enter China without a visa. The move, announced by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is intended to boost business, tourism, and family visits.
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that under the new policy, nationals of these five Latin American countries will be permitted to stay in China for up to 30 days ‘for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits or transiting. The visa-free stay is limited to 30 days.
China has extended visa-free entry to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay on a trial basis from Jun 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026. Looking forward to welcoming more friends from #LatinAmerica to China. pic.twitter.com/Srzkw9Gahk
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) May 15, 2025
Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the measure aims to stimulate China’s economy while strengthening diplomatic ties with Latin America. “China remains committed to high-level opening-up and will introduce more measures to facilitate cross-border travel,” Lin said during a press briefing. “We also welcome more foreign friends to make good use of the visa-free and visa facilitation policies to visit China, take a look around, and experience the colourful, passionate, and vibrant China”.
The five countries are among the largest economies in Latin America and key trade partners for China.
As of May 2025, 48 benefited from China’s visa-free entry policy, including France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy, as well as Thailand, South Korea, and Japan.
China is committed to greater levels of openness!
— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) May 16, 2025
Starting from June, ordinary passport holders from 43 countries, with 5 new additions from Latin America, will enjoy visa-free stays of up to 30 days.
Explore the beauty of China hassle-free! 🌏✨ #ChinaTravel pic.twitter.com/BUJA12iPtx
Japan, which had enjoyed visa-free travel to China before the COVID-19 pandemic, welcomed the decision. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi noted that Tokyo had been requesting a resumption of visa-free access since pandemic-era restrictions were lifted. ‘We hope the visa exemption measure announced by the Chinese side will contribute to further smoothing our exchanges between Japan and China.’
The continued expansion of China’s visa-free policies reflects Beijing’s broader efforts to revive inbound tourism and promote international business ties after years of strict pandemic controls.
A direct flight between Mexico City and Shenzhen in southern China was launched in 2024. At more than 14,000 kilometres, it is the longest direct international passenger route from China. Other routes such as Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo, Beijing-Madrid-Havana and Beijing-Tijuana-Mexico City have also boosted China-LAC relations.
According to Chinese media outlet Xinhua, citing data from the travel platform Ctrip, inbound tourism orders from Argentina grew by 168% compared to the previous year, while orders from Brazil and Chile both increased by over 80%.
