President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed an executive order temporarily waiving visa requirements for Chinese nationals, a reciprocal step after Beijing lifted visa requirements for Russian passport holders earlier this year.
The measure, which takes immediate effect and runs through Sept. 14, 2026, allows Chinese citizens to enter Russia without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism or work.
Putin had said last week that Chinese travelers would “in the very near future” be able to enter Russia visa-free, a move he described as a “good and positive ‘explosion’ in the development of our relations” during talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Moscow.
The mutual visa waiver is part of a one-year trial program. Russia and China already operate a visa-free regime for group tours, and last year, Beijing began allowing Russian travelers in transit to stay for up to 10 days without a visa.
Putin’s pledge, combined with recent diplomatic tensions between China and Japan, has triggered a surge in searches and bookings for travel from China to Russia, market analysts told The Moscow Times last week.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
