Policy seen as strategic move to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with the region
China has begun offering visa-free entry to citizens of five Latin American countries for the first time, in a move designed to expand diplomatic and economic ties with the region.
Under a new pilot policy effective June 1, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay holding ordinary passports may now enter China without a visa for up to 30 days. Permitted purposes include business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges, and transit. The policy will remain in effect through May 31, 2026.
This initiative marks the first time China has unilaterally granted visa-free access to nations in Latin America and the Caribbean. With its implementation, the number of countries whose citizens may enter China without a visa under similar agreements rises to 43.
Part of Broader Opening Strategy
The measure aligns with Beijing’s broader strategy of promoting international openness and fostering global people-to-people connections. Improved air connectivity and simplified entry procedures are expected to further reduce travel barriers between China and Latin America, historically hindered by distance and complex visa systems.
In 2024, China launched its longest international passenger route — a direct flight from Mexico City to Shenzhen, covering more than 14,000 kilometers. Other key routes linking China and Latin America include Beijing–Madrid–São Paulo, Beijing–Madrid–Havana, and Beijing–Tijuana–Mexico City.
Carolina Araya, a Chilean national and Spanish language instructor, shared her enthusiasm on social media following the announcement.
“With this visa-free policy, it will be much easier for my parents to visit us,” she said. “I look forward to welcoming them here in China.”
Carola Ramón, a representative of the Argentine Council on Foreign Relations, noted the growing academic and cultural exchanges between China and Argentina in recent years. She emphasized that visa-free access could significantly enhance those relationships while fostering broader regional cooperation.
Trade and Mobility on the Rise
Economic relations between China and Latin America have deepened significantly. Bilateral trade volumes surpassed $500 billion in 2024, more than doubling over the past decade. Chinese exports such as electric vehicles have gained ground in Latin markets, while Latin American products like Chilean cherries and Argentine beef have become household staples in China.
Visa reforms are part of China’s wider efforts to promote cross-border mobility. In May 2025, China also extended visa-free entry to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain for up to 30 days. Separately, the country expanded its visa-free transit policy to 240 hours for eligible travelers from 54 countries.
These efforts have already yielded notable results. In 2024, China recorded 3.39 million visa-free entries, a 1,200 percent increase from the previous year. During the 2025 May Day holiday alone, more than 380,000 travelers entered China under visa-free arrangements, up 72.7 percent year-over-year.
Yu Haibo, associate professor of tourism management at Nankai University in Tianjin, said the expanding visa access demonstrates Beijing’s commitment to inclusive globalization. “These measures reflect China’s determination to promote a more dynamic, open, and resilient form of global engagement,” he said.
