Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a presidential decree extending visa-free entry for Chinese citizens into Russia until December 31, 2027, reinforcing travel and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
According to the decree published on Russia’s official legal information portal, the visa-free arrangement was previously set to expire on September 14, 2026, but has now been extended for more than a year.
Under the reciprocal agreement, Chinese citizens can enter Russia without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, while Russian nationals enjoy the same visa-free privilege when traveling to China.
The extension follows China’s decision in May 2026 to prolong visa-free access for Russian citizens until the end of 2027, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing.
The reciprocal visa-free regime was first introduced after President Putin signed a decree on December 1, 2025, allowing Chinese citizens to visit Russia without a visa for up to 30 days. China implemented a similar policy for Russian citizens beginning September 15, 2025.
Russian authorities believe the move will significantly boost tourism, business travel, investment, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, while further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and China.
The visa-free expansion comes as both countries continue to deepen cooperation across economic, diplomatic, and regional initiatives amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics. Increased cross-border travel is also expected to benefit airlines, the hospitality sector, and businesses operating between the two nations.