Putin lifts visa requirements for Chinese citizens until 2026

WISE NEWS PRESS / MOSCOW, Russia — Dec. 1, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting Chinese citizens the right to visa-free travel for stays of up to 30 days, marking a significant step in easing travel restrictions between the two nations.

The decision serves as a direct reciprocal response to China’s earlier move to waive visa requirements for Russian nationals. Aimed at strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties, the new regulation is expected to significantly accelerate tourism and economic interaction between the strategic partners through its expiration date of September 14, 2026.

Reciprocity in action

According to the decree published in Russia's official legal information system, the visa-free regime allows Chinese passport holders to enter Russia for tourism and business purposes without prior consular approval for trips lasting up to a month.

The move formalizes the principle of reciprocity in Moscow-Beijing relations. China had previously lifted visa requirements for Russian citizens, signaling a deepening of the "no-limits" partnership often touted by both capitals. This regulatory alignment is seen as an effort to remove bureaucratic hurdles hindering people-to-people exchanges.

Boost for tourism economy

The mutual lifting of visa restrictions is projected to revitalize the tourism sectors of both countries. Following China's initial decision to waive visas for Russians, travel agencies reported an immediate surge in interest.

Russian tour operators noted that demand for airline tickets to China increased by more than 30 percent shortly after the restrictions were eased. Moscow anticipates a similar influx of Chinese tourists, which would provide a substantial revenue stream for the Russian hospitality and retail sectors amidst ongoing Western sanctions.

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