Mutual visa-free policies prove a win-win for China, S. Korea Waivers to boost tourism, economic growth for both, experts said

Tourists wait to enter a duty-free shop in Seoul, South Korea, on June 9. YONHAP NEWS AGENCY

Experts said that China and South Korea are set for a win-win result from their tourism cooperation after implementing mutual visa-free policies in succession, a move that will boost not only the tourism industry but also economic growth on both sides.

During China's eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in early October, tourism destinations and shopping malls in South Korea saw a surge of Chinese tourists, thanks to the implementation of the temporary visa-free policy by the South Korean government.

Under the policy, Chinese group tourists — consisting of three or more people — are allowed to enter South Korea without a visa from Sept 29 to June 30, 2026, and stay up to 15 days. Previously, only the country's Jeju Island gave such access, allowing Chinese individuals and group tourists to stay for up to 30 days with a visa waiver. That access is still valid.

"Thanks to the visa-free policy, the number of group tourists bound for South Korea from the National Day holiday till date has registered a growth of over 60 percent compared with September at our platform, while it has multiplied compared with the same period in 2024," said Liu Haomiao, a manager responsible for tour products to South Korea at domestic travel portal Tuniu.