Ready for a tourism thrill? Starting September 29, 2025, the Republic of Korea (ROK) is rolling out a temporary 9-month visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups ✈️🎉. This welcome move follows China's own visa exemption for ROK visitors and aims to fire up Seoul's economy.
Why it matters:
- Economic Kickstart: Tourism drives domestic demand and jobs.
- Historic Stats: Over 8M Chinese visitors in 2016 (47.5% of arrivals); 6M in 2019; rebound to 4.6M in 2024 (28.1%).
- Spending Power: Chinese tourists spent $1,689/person in 2019, topping American and Japanese visitors.
Timing is everything: The waiver comes just before China's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, a golden window for group tours and festive vibes 🏮.
Instant Impact: After the August announcement, search volumes for Seoul flights shot up nearly 70% on Qunar.com 📈.
Beyond shopping sprees, this strategy is part of ROK's broader plan to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on specific export markets. By boosting domestic consumption—especially in hotels, retail, and airlines—the ROK is hedging against global trade headwinds.
Bottom line: For young travelers and Asia enthusiasts, this is your sign to pack your bags and explore vibrant Seoul—Visa-free! 😎🛫
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
