South Korea to Allow Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists from Late September

 

South Korea has announced it will allow visa-free entry for tourist groups from China between September 29, 2025, and June 2026. The move is part of efforts to revive the tourism sector and stimulate the domestic economy ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which South Korea will host from October 31 to November 1 in the city of Gyeongju. The visa exemption aligns with China’s earlier decision in November 2024 to offer visa-free entry to South Korean and foreign tourists, signaling improving diplomatic ties between the two countries. President Lee Jae Myung’s liberal administration is expected to take further steps toward strengthening regional cooperation. The South Korean Ministry of Tourism said the policy is timed to coincide with China’s early October national holiday, a peak travel season, and aims to increase visitor numbers while promoting economic activity through travel, retail, and cultural sectors in anticipation of high-level international engagement.

The visa-free policy has already impacted South Korea’s financial markets, with shares of major tourism-related companies surging on expectations of increased Chinese consumer spending. Hyundai Department Store saw its stock rise by 7.1%, Hotel Shilla gained 4.8%, casino operator Paradise climbed 2.9%, and Hankook Cosmetics surged 9.9%. These gains reflect investor optimism over a likely surge in demand for luxury retail, hospitality, and beauty products sectors where Chinese tourists have historically been major contributors. South Korea’s tourism ministry framed the visa waiver as a temporary but strategic decision, aiming not only to support tourism recovery but also to position the country as a welcoming destination in the lead-up to the high-profile APEC forum. The summit could serve as a diplomatic bridge, with possible bilateral talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines. Overall, the visa policy marks both an economic stimulus and a signal of improving regional diplomacy.

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