China eliminates visa requirement for Chilean travelers
From June 1, 2025, Chile and China will open a new chapter in their bilateral relations : Chilean citizens will be able to enter the Asian country without a visa for stays of up to 30 days .
The measure, announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry , marks an important step towards consolidating diplomatic, cultural and economic ties between the two countries, which already enjoy a privileged relationship in the region.
The exemption is part of a broader policy that will also benefit citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay , and is part of an effort by the Chinese government to facilitate personnel exchanges with Latin America.
This measure will be implemented experimentally for one year , until May 31, 2026, allowing authorities to assess its impact and make any necessary adjustments in the future. Although the measure is still in the testing phase , it is likely that, if successful, it will be extended or even institutionalized as part of a permanent policy.
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The impact of the announcement for Chile
The news was announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian during a press conference on the sidelines of a summit with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) .
In his words (via T13 ), Lin stated: “We welcome more foreign friends to make good use of China’s visa exemption and facilitation policies in order to visit China more often.”
This opening represents a strategy by the Asian giant to strengthen its presence and ties with Latin America , in a constantly changing international context and with growing commercial, technological and tourism interests between both regions.
Far from being a recent rapprochement, the relationship between Chile and China has been forged over more than five decades. Chile was the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with China in 1970 , and it was also the first in Latin America to support China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 1999 .
Furthermore, in an unprecedented milestone, Chile became the first country in the world to sign a Free Trade Agreement with China in 2005 , laying the foundation for an increasingly deep economic relationship. Since then, the trade ties have continued to strengthen.
Who will be able to travel to China and under what conditions?
From the specified date, Chilean citizens will be able to enter China without a visa for trips of up to 30 days , whether for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, cultural exchanges, or transit . In the latter case, the regulations allow for temporary stopovers in Chinese airports of less than 24 hours for connections to other flights.
According to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Chile , travelers will be subject to regular immigration inspections, so they must carry documents that support their purpose of entry , such as airline tickets, invitation letters or hotel reservations .
It is clarified that this measure does not apply to those traveling for work, study or journalism reasons , who must continue to manage their visa in the traditional way.
Furthermore, the policy allows multiple entries with no restrictions on the number of entries or the total number of days accumulated during the year . However, authorities remind visitors that activities undertaken during their stay must align with the stated purpose of the trip. In other words, a tourist visitor cannot engage in work or academic activities during their stay .
Barrier-free tourism
The fact that travel can also be undertaken for cultural exchange or family visits allows for stronger human connections beyond economic factors. Students, artists, academics, or simply friends residing in both countries can now connect more easily, in a context where international mobility is becoming increasingly important .
The decision to eliminate the visa requirement not only targets the cultural, diplomatic, and economic spheres, but also represents a huge opportunity for tourism .
China, with its vast cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant megacities like Beijing , Shanghai, and Guangzhou , could receive a growing number of Chilean visitors eager to explore its wonders without having to go through the visa process. In turn, this measure could encourage more Chinese citizens to visit Chile , drawn by destinations like San Pedro de Atacama or Patagonia .
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