South Korea will offer visa-free entry to group tourists from China starting September 29 through June 2026, the government announced on Wednesday.
The temporary measure is part of a broader effort to revitalize foreign tourism ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which will take place from October 31 to November 1 in Gyeongju, a historic city in southeastern South Korea.
This visa-free offer builds upon an earlier agreement announced in March, following China’s decision in November 2024 to offer visa exemptions to South Koreans and other international visitors. It also reflects warming diplomatic ties under the new administration of President Lee Jae Myung, a liberal leader who assumed office earlier this year.
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The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that the timing of the decision, just ahead of China’s National Day holidays in early October, is intended to stimulate South Korea’s domestic economy, especially as the country sees a resurgence in foreign tourist arrivals.
“This initiative is expected to inject strong momentum into the tourism and retail sectors,” a ministry official said during a high-level meeting on tourism strategies ahead of the APEC summit.
Financial markets responded positively, with shares of companies in the tourism and retail sectors surging on expectations of increased Chinese demand:
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Hyundai Department Store shares rose 7.1%
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Hotel Shilla increased by 4.8%
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Casino operator Paradise climbed 2.9%
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Hankook Cosmetics surged 9.9%
The upcoming APEC summit, which will convene leaders from 21 member economies, is seen as a significant diplomatic event. Speculation is high that Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump may hold separate bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit, drawing further global attention.
The visa-free policy is expected to serve as both a diplomatic gesture and an economic stimulus, bolstering South Korea’s post-pandemic recovery in the tourism and retail sectors.
