Russia, China Grant Visa-Free Entry

Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing visa-free entry for Chinese citizens into Russia for stays of up to 30 days, effective from December 1, 2025, to September 14, 2026. This move mirrors China's earlier decision to grant similar visa-free access to Russian nationals, which was introduced on a one-year trial basis starting September 15, 2025. The reciprocal measures aim to deepen cultural and economic ties between Russia and China, facilitating travel for private visits, business, tourism, and participation in various events. The policy shift has already shown positive effects on travel data, with Russian visitors to China increasing by 30-40% year-on-year in October. Russian airlines operate 36 routes to China, and Chinese carriers serve 24 routes to Russia, totaling around 230 flights per week. Aeroflot reported a nearly tripled passenger traffic to China in 2024. Chinese travel platforms Alibaba Group — Fliggy and Tongcheng Travel observed significant jumps in searches for Russia-related travel following the announcement, indicating strong market interest.