Xi Jinping in France: Chinese President announced the extension of the visa-free regime for the French

Good news if you are planning to visit China in the coming months. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Monday in Paris a one-year extension, until the end of 2025, of a short-term tourist visa exemption for French people wishing to travel to the Asian country. The measure allows visa-free tourism in China for a stay of no more than 15 days. It was initially launched last year on an “experimental” basis for the period from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.

“We have decided to extend the visa-free regime for foreign citizens from 12 countries, including France, until the end of 2025, so that they can come to China for short periods of time,” Xi said. He spoke as part of his state visit to France alongside President Emmanuel Macron and during a press statement at the Elysee Palace.

China’s image has taken a hit during the Covid-19 pandemic and the country is hoping to attract back foreign tourists whose numbers have fallen since the outbreak. Over the past year, China has announced several measures to waive tourist visas for citizens of Asian countries as well as European countries such as Germany, Italy and Spain.

Consensual agreement

For its part, the French government announced on Monday that it would ease the issuance of visas for Chinese on business or tourism trips to France.

This measure will allow people to enter and leave France to attend various trade fairs and business meetings without having to apply for a visa at each entry. And “continue to develop partnerships with local economic players” (chambers of commerce, professional federations, etc.), specified the services of the French Prime Minister.

Entry and processing of visa applications from groups of Chinese tourists on the France-Visas platform will also be “facilitated” from the first half of 2025.