Putin Wants Russia-China Visa-Free Travel to Become Permanent

Vladimir Putin wants Russia and China to make their visa-free travel arrangement permanent, but said the plan depends on whether Beijing considers it feasible and useful.

“We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful,” Putin said while meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Putin said visa-free travel increased tourism between Russia and China by 43% in the first half of the year, giving both Moscow and Beijing a benefit. Russia introduced a reciprocal arrangement allowing Chinese citizens to enter for up to 30 days without visas through September 14, 2026. China had previously introduced a similar policy for Russian citizens, and the two sides later extended visa-free entry rights through the end of 2027.

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We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful.

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui previously said the removal of visa requirements had increased Chinese tourist flows to Russia by nearly 1.5 times in the first quarter of 2026.

Xi said Russia-China relations would grow closer and more stable under his and Putin’s strategic direction. He also said they had agreed during Putin’s visit to Beijing in May to give bilateral ties a more strategic and long-term character and to deepen cooperation across sectors. “China is willing to work with Russia and others to strengthen the forces leading reform of global governance and advance an equal and orderly multipolar world,” Xi said.

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China is willing to work with Russia and others to strengthen the forces leading reform of global governance and advance an equal and orderly multipolar world.