Starting 29 September 2025, South Korea will allow Chinese group tourists to enter without a visa. This temporary visa-free policy will run until 30 June 2026, the South Korean government announced on 6 August.
Prime Minister Kim Myeon-sook revealed the decision during a policy meeting focused on boosting tourism. The government aims to increase travel demand from China, which is expected to help revive the local economy and encourage domestic spending.
Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing commented on social media, saying, “South Korea’s decision to waive visas for Chinese tour groups is welcome news for Chinese travelers planning to visit the country.”
Since China introduced a visa-free policy for South Korean citizens in November, travel between the two countries has risen quickly. Given their close geographical and cultural ties, the governments anticipate that more frequent exchanges will strengthen mutual understanding and bilateral relations.