South Korea announced it will provide visa-free entry for tourist groups from China between September 29 and June 2026. The government aims to stimulate foreign tourism and strengthen economic recovery ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set to take place in late October. This temporary visa exemption is part of broader efforts to attract more Chinese visitors and promote travel ties between the two countries.
The visa-free policy was initially revealed in March, following China’s move last November to grant visa exemptions to South Koreans and some foreign visitors. South Korea’s decision reflects optimism over improving bilateral relations under the new administration of President Lee Jae Myung. The government sees this as an opportunity to deepen cooperation and tourism exchanges with China, especially during key holiday periods.
The timing of the visa exemption coincides with China’s golden week holidays in early October, which is expected to significantly boost inbound tourism and support South Korea’s domestic economy. The tourism ministry highlighted that this measure will help revitalize the tourism sector as foreign visitor numbers recover steadily after recent declines caused by the pandemic.
South Korea is preparing to host the APEC summit from October 31 to November 1 in Gyeongju, where leaders from 21 economies will meet. The event is also anticipated to provide a platform for high-level talks, potentially between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. The visa-free policy is part of broader efforts to maximize the economic and diplomatic benefits of hosting the major international summit.