China Grants Visa-Free Access to Swedish Citizens for Short-Term Travel

Nov 4, 2025

Sweden Added to China’s Expanding Visa-Free Entry Program

Effective from November 10, 2025, Swedish citizens holding ordinary passports can enter China without a visa for short stays of up to 30 days. This policy applies to travel for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange programs, and transit. The exemption is valid until December 31, 2026.

Travelers must adhere to both the stated purpose of visit and the 30-day duration limit. Those planning to stay longer or travel for work, journalism, or other non-exempt purposes must continue to apply for a visa in advance. The exemption also does not apply to Swedish citizens using diplomatic, service, or other non-ordinary travel documents.

Part of a Broader Shift Toward Streamlined Travel

This update places Sweden alongside several other European countries recently granted similar short-stay visa exemptions by China. Within the past year, China has extended visa-free access to passport holders from:

• Germany
• France
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• Spain
• Malaysia

These exemptions reflect China’s strategic efforts to support economic growth by encouraging business travel, tourism, and academic exchanges. For European nations, they also mark a positive step in strengthening bilateral relations and easing mobility across borders.

Navigating the New Exemption Period

For Swedish travelers, the exemption offers welcome flexibility. However, it’s important to note that the exemption has a fixed timeline: from 00:00 (Beijing time) on November 10, 2025, to 24:00 on December 31, 2026. Entry and exit must occur within this window to benefit from visa-free access.

Travelers should also prepare for standard immigration checks upon arrival, including proof of onward travel, accommodation details, and valid travel insurance.

Visas not included in this waiver will remain supported by CIBT. For any additional inquiries, please reach out to our Customer Service team: [email protected]

This update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to CIBTvisas for any case- or company-specific assessments.

Read next: India launches e-Arrival Card to streamline entry for foreign nationals.

Back to Blog        Contact Us