Visa-free policy to drive intl. visitor surge

Shenzhen is poised to see a significant increase in international arrivals as China extends its visa-free policy to more South American countries.

Tourists complete entry forms with assistance from a border police officer at a Shenzhen checkpoint. Photos from Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Starting June 1, travelers holding ordinary passports from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay will be able to enter China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced earlier this month.

This one-year pilot program is the latest in China's efforts to deepen people-to-people exchanges and economic ties with South America.

Several of the five countries, including Brazil and Chile, are already part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, and many have seen a surge in trade and investment from China over the past decade.

Expat tourists share a joyful moment at Window of the World in Shenzhen.

Situated on opposite sides of the globe, travel between Latin America and China once presented significant challenges, stemming not only from visa complexities but also from vast distances.

Nowadays, however, increased air connectivity coupled with relaxed visa restrictions have brought these distant lands much closer. In 2024, a direct flight connecting Mexico City, Mexico, and Shenzhen was launched. Covering more than 14,000 kilometers, it is the longest direct international passenger route from China.

Other routes, such as Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo, Beijing-Madrid-Havana, and Beijing-Tijuana-Mexico City, have also strengthened links between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Tourists join performers in a vibrant festival celebration at Hongqiao Park in Guangming District.

Data from online travel platforms show strong potential for inbound tourism from the five Latin American countries. This year, Ctrip, a leading Chinese online travel platform, reported a 168% year-on-year increase in inbound tourism orders from Argentina, while orders from both Brazil and Chile grew by more than 80%.

In 2024, Shenzhen's foreign trade with Latin America reached 212 billion yuan (US$29.4 billion), a year-on-year increase of 22.6%.

As of May 19 this year, Shenzhen checkpoints had recorded 2.64 million foreign travelers, a year-on-year increase of 41%, including 560,000 who entered visa-free, a year-on-year increase of 105%, official data show.