Ningbo welcomes visa-free European travelers under new policy

China's new visa-free policy for citizens of four European countries has been launched in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Effective from Oct 15 to Dec 31, 2025, China's new visa-free policy for citizens of Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia has transformed the tourism landscape, allowing ordinary passport holders from these four nations to come to China for business, tourism, family visits, and transit stays of up to 15 days without a visa.

Ningbo welcomed its first inbound visa-free travelers from the newly included countries on Oct 15, which consisted of six Slovenians aboard flight FM898 from Budapest.

Slovenian businessman Kuzmic Tadej was among the first to arrive and was thrilled with the convenience offered by the visa-free policy.

"I frequently visit China for business, and the visa-free policy has not only saved me the hassle and cost of applying for a visa but also streamlined my travel process," said Tadej, who quickly boarded another flight to Guangzhou to attend the Canton Fair just two hours after arriving in Ningbo.

To ensure smooth customs clearance for the visa-free travelers, Ningbo Airport Immigration Inspection Station had made preparations in advance. It communicated with airlines, conducted thorough assessments, and deployed service and police resources to accommodate the influx of travelers.

"Prior to the enforcement of the new visa-free policy, we conducted comprehensive assessments to predict traveler flow dynamics. During the traveler inspection process, we adjusted our inspection channels based on real-time conditions. We also enhanced on-site guidance and consultation services to provide comprehensive support for seamless customs clearance," said officer Cao Yizheng.