South Korea starts trial visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists

South Korea began a trial visa-free entry program for Chinese group tourists on September 29, which will remain in effect until June 30, 2026.

Under the policy, groups of three or more Chinese travelers can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 15 days. Jeju Province remains under its previous arrangement, allowing both individual and group visitors from China to stay visa-free for up to 30 days.

Chinese travelers have long been a mainstay of South Korea's tourism industry. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, South Korea welcomed 16.37 million international visitors in 2024, with 4.6 million – 28.1 percent – coming from China, the largest share of any country.

The South Korean government estimates that every additional one million Chinese group tourists could raise the country's GDP by 0.08 percentage points. Officials see the visa-free policy not only as a boost for tourism but also as a strategic measure to stimulate broader economic growth.