China to extend visa waiver for Malaysia, 11 European countries until 2025

By Hoang Phong May 9, 2024 | 10:00 pm PT

Visitors pose for photos at Shanghai Disney Resort as the Shanghai Disneyland theme park in Shanghai, China May 11, 2020. Photo by Reuters

The Chinese government has decided to extend its visa waiver for nationals of Malaysia and 11 European countries until the end of next year.

The European countries are Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

Until Dec. 31, 2025, citizens of these countries will be allowed to enter China for business, sightseeing, transit, and other purposes for up to 15 days without having to apply for a visa, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular press conference on Tuesday.

China received 13.1 million foreigners in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year increase of 305%, Global Times reported citing a source from the National Immigration Administration.

China had earlier waived visas for them through 2024.