the French are exempt from tourist visas until the end of 2025 for stays not exceeding fifteen days

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the extension for one year, until the end of 2025, of the short tourist visa exemption for French people wishing to travel to the Asian country. The leader made this announcement in Paris, Monday May 6, on the first day of his two-day state visit to France, during a joint press conference with Emmanuel Macron.

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This measure allows tourism in China without a visa for stays not exceeding 15 days. It was initially launched last year as “experimental” for the period from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.

“We have decided to extend the visa waiver policy for foreign citizens of 12 countries, including France, until the end of 2025 so that they can travel to China for short periods.”

Xi Jinping, Chinese President

China’s image has deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic and the country hopes to bring back foreign tourists, whose numbers have fallen since the epidemic. Over the past year, China has announced several tourist visa exemption measures for citizens of Asian countries, as well as European countries such as Germany, Italy and Spain.

For its part, the French government announced that it would facilitate the issuance of visas for Chinese on business trips or who come to France for tourism. This measure will make it possible to enter and leave French territory for various trade fairs and business meetings without having to request a visa at each entry. And of “continue to develop partnerships with local economic players” (chambers of commerce, professional federations, etc.), specified the services of the French Prime Minister. The entry and processing of visa applications from Chinese tourist groups on the France-Visas platform will also be “facilities” from the first half of 2025.