Putin Seeks to Make Russia-China Visa-Free Travel Permanent
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the visa-free travel policy between his country and China to be made permanent. However, he acknowledged that this can only be executed if Beijing deems it possible and important.
“We are ready to work together to create a permanent visa-free regime if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful,” said Putin during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday (31/8/2026), as reported by the Russian news agency TASS.
According to Putin, visa-free travel between Russia and China has increased the percentage of tourists in both countries by 43 per cent in the first half of this year. Consequently, both Moscow and Beijing stand to benefit.
On 1 December 2025, Putin signed a decree allowing Chinese citizens to enter Russia for up to 30 days without a visa until 14 September 2026, based on the principle of reciprocity. Previously, China introduced a similar visa-free regime for Russian citizens.
Furthermore, both parties have extended the right to enter without a visa until the end of 2027. The Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, previously stated that the removal of visa requirements increased the flow of tourists from China to Russia by almost 1.5 times in the first quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, Xi Jinping stated that under his strategic guidance and that of Putin, China-Russia relations will become increasingly close and stable. As reported by CGTN, Xi noted that during Putin’s visit to Beijing last May, the two leaders made arrangements to ensure China-Russia bilateral relations become more strategic and long-term.
In addition, Xi Jinping mentioned that he and Putin reached a consensus to deepen cooperation between the two nations across various sectors. Xi also touched upon the increasing global uncertainty. In this context, Xi expressed readiness to cooperate with Russia.
“China is willing to work with Russia and others to strengthen the forces leading global governance reform and to advance an equal and orderly multipolar world,” said Xi.