As of September 15, 2025, a pilot visa-free agreement between Russia and China has officially come into force and will remain valid until September 14, 2026, according to the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR).

Under the new rules, Russian citizens can now travel to China without a visa for up to 30 days. There is no limit on the number of entries per year.

The visa-free policy applies to:

• tourism,

• business visits,

• participation in humanitarian exchanges,

• family visits,

• and transit travel.

However, it does not apply to:

• those intending to work,

• study,

• engage in journalism,

• or travel as drivers, freight forwarders, or interpreters.

To enter China, Russian citizens only need a valid passport and a completed migration card. Random COVID-19 testing may be carried out at border points.

According to ATOR, the first travelers to benefit from the new policy were residents of Russia's Far Eastern regions. Entry is currently being processed normally, noted Alexander Lvov, chairman of the "World Without Borders" association.