Russia has officially introduced a temporary visa-free regime for Chinese citizens, which has already led to an influx of travelers to border destinations and, according to experts, will become one of the key drivers for the development of tourist exchange between the two countries in 2026. The decision is fixed by a presidential decree, according to which Chinese residents will be able to enter Russia without a visa from December 1, 2025 to September 14, 2026. The new rules apply to tourist, business and humanitarian trips, as well as transit, provided that the stay does not exceed 30 days.
Restrictions remain in place for those who plan to work in Russia, engage in journalism, receive education, or carry out transportation activities — these categories are still required to apply for a visa. In fact, the regime is focused on temporary visits and international mobility of the population, rather than on long-term immigration purposes.
The easing measures introduced by Russia became a mirror measure after China opened a trial visa-free regime for Russians back in September 2025. The Chinese side noted that this measure caused a surge in the interest of Russian tourists: the demand for trips increased by 50-100 percent. Now a similar growth is expected in the opposite direction.
Already in the first days after the decree came into force, queues were observed at checkpoints in the Far East — Chinese residents began to actively cross the border without a visa. Tourists admitted that they decided to travel immediately after the news about visa-free travel appeared, which confirms the high sensitivity of the tourism market to such changes.
According to Russian experts, the simplification of the regime will strengthen not only tourist ties, but also business contacts. China is traditionally one of Russia's largest trading partners, and expanding humanitarian ties can enhance logistical and economic flows. For the border regions, this means additional income, and for the tourism industry, the formation of new products and routes.
The Russian side emphasizes that it considers temporary visa-free travel not as a symbolic gesture, but as a practical tool capable of increasing transport accessibility, stimulating the development of hotel infrastructure and increasing the workload of air carriers. The 2026 season is expected to be a record-breaking one for tourist exchange between the two countries.
