This decision had already been hinted at the CELAC-China ministerial forum.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Thursday that visitors from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay will now be exempt from visa requirements when traveling to China.

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“We aim to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges and promote friendly cooperation,” the Chinese diplomat said, referring to a policy that will operate on a trial basis from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

“China continues to open up by expanding visa-free access, warmly welcoming more foreign friends to visit,” Lin added, noting that his country China remains committed to high-level openness and will continue introducing additional measures to facilitate personnel exchanges with other countries, inviting more international friends to visit China and experience its vibrancy and diversity.

This visa exemption policy brings the five South American countries in line with many European and Asian nations that already benefit from visa-free access for short-term visits

Citizens of these five countries will be allowed to enter China using their ordinary passports for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges, and transit.

The visa exemption will apply as long as the stay does not exceed 30 days.

During the latest ministerial forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), there were indications that the decision had been made. This was also the occasion when Chinese President Xi Jinping revealed plans to invest US$10 billion in the region.

It is known that Brazil typically applies reciprocal visa policies, raising expectations for a possible similar arrangement for Chinese citizens during the same period.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry

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