China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that citizens of the Russian Federation holding ordinary passports may continue to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days until 24:00 on 14 September 2026. The policy, first introduced on a trial basis last September, was highlighted again in Moscow-based financial outlet AK&M on 14 June, underscoring Beijing’s commitment to maintaining the waiver amid rising bilateral trade and tourism.
![China Confirms Visa-Free Entry for Russian Ordinary-Passport Holders Until September 2026]()
For travelers who require paperwork beyond the 30-day exemption—such as long-stay work, study or media visas—VisaHQ can simplify the entire process. Its China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time requirement updates, document pre-checks and courier options, helping both individuals and corporate travel planners avoid costly mistakes and save administrative time.
The arrangement covers trips for business, leisure, family visits, cultural exchanges and transit. Russian visitors need only present a passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward ticket. Work, study and media activities still require the appropriate long-stay visas. For Chinese companies, the waiver removes a significant administrative hurdle: executives can now invite Russian partners to plant tours, trade fairs and joint-venture negotiations on short notice. Flight capacity between the two countries has responded—Chengdu Airlines, China Eastern and Aeroflot have collectively restored more than 90 % of 2019 seat inventory. Russian SMEs exporting agri-food and timber products to China are also benefitting. “We used to budget three weeks for visa issuance; now a customs broker can fly to Harbin tomorrow to resolve a paperwork glitch,” says Artem Kuznetsov, CEO of Vladivostok-based logistics firm PrimCargo. Companies should note that the waiver is unilateral; Chinese citizens still need visas for Russia except under organized-tour group programs. HR teams are advised to track passport validity closely—the 30-day clock cannot be reset by a side trip to Hong Kong or Macau.
For travelers who require paperwork beyond the 30-day exemption—such as long-stay work, study or media visas—VisaHQ can simplify the entire process. Its China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time requirement updates, document pre-checks and courier options, helping both individuals and corporate travel planners avoid costly mistakes and save administrative time.
The arrangement covers trips for business, leisure, family visits, cultural exchanges and transit. Russian visitors need only present a passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward ticket. Work, study and media activities still require the appropriate long-stay visas. For Chinese companies, the waiver removes a significant administrative hurdle: executives can now invite Russian partners to plant tours, trade fairs and joint-venture negotiations on short notice. Flight capacity between the two countries has responded—Chengdu Airlines, China Eastern and Aeroflot have collectively restored more than 90 % of 2019 seat inventory. Russian SMEs exporting agri-food and timber products to China are also benefitting. “We used to budget three weeks for visa issuance; now a customs broker can fly to Harbin tomorrow to resolve a paperwork glitch,” says Artem Kuznetsov, CEO of Vladivostok-based logistics firm PrimCargo. Companies should note that the waiver is unilateral; Chinese citizens still need visas for Russia except under organized-tour group programs. HR teams are advised to track passport validity closely—the 30-day clock cannot be reset by a side trip to Hong Kong or Macau.
