Putin Announces Visa-Free Travel for Chinese Nationals to Russia, Promising Enhanced Bilateral Ties

On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin announced that Chinese citizens will soon have the opportunity to enter Russia without a visa. This decision follows Beijing’s recent removal of visa requirements for Russian travelers.

Since September, Russian passport holders have enjoyed visa-free travel to China for up to 30 days under a trial program intended to last one year. Putin referred to this initiative as a “friendly gesture” and assured that Moscow would reciprocate the arrangement.

During a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin reiterated this commitment, stating in a televised address that “the same measures will soon be implemented for citizens of the People’s Republic of China visiting Russia.”

“This will undoubtedly lead to a significant and positive ‘burst’ in the advancement of our relations,” he added, although he did not provide a specific timeline for when the visa requirements for Chinese passport holders will be lifted.

Currently, Russia and China have a reciprocal visa exemption arranged for organized group travel, which was temporarily paused when China imposed border restrictions for nearly three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, last year, China permitted Russian passengers in transit to stay for up to 10 days without a visa.

Putin’s announcement in September about the potential abolition of visa requirements for Chinese nationals spurred a notable increase in hotel bookings and flight inquiries by Chinese tourists eager to plan trips to Russia, anticipating the forthcoming visa-free entry.