Chinese Citizens Can Travel to Russia Without a Visa

A decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially waived visa requirements for Chinese citizens traveling to Russia for tourism or business. The new policy, active from December 1, 2025, to September 14, 2026, allows ordinary passport holders from China to enter and stay in Russia for up to 30 days.

The order, cited by Russian news agency TASS and also reported by China’s state broadcaster CCTV News, confirms that Chinese citizens can benefit from the visa exemption for purposes including business or guest visits, tourism, participation in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic or sporting events, and transit.

Screenshot of the Russian news agency TASS’s website
tass.com

Bilateral exchanges between Russia and China

Russia’s decision aligns with the principle of reciprocity. China simultaneously announced a trial visa-exemption policy for ordinary Russian passport holders, which began on September 15, 2025 and will run until September 14, 2026. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, Russians may enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for reasons including business, tourism, visits to acquaintances, exchanges, or transit.

Could Russia and Saudi Arabia abolish visa requirements next?

The visa-exemption announcement has already sparked a sharp rise in travel interest among Chinese visitors to Russia.

A government-level agreement has also been signed between Russia and Saudi Arabia to waive visa requirements for each other’s citizens, allowing stays of up to 90 days per year. The plan could enter force in early 2026.

Russia currently seeks to extend visa-free entry, on a reciprocal basis, to passport holders from China, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia. The decree has so far been signed only between Russia and China.