On September 9, 2024, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre arrived in Beijing for a three-day state visit, marking a historic moment in China-Norway relations.
The news first came out via Norwegian media outlet Norwegian Broadcasting Cooperations (NRK). Screenshot by That's
As the highlight of the visit, Norwegian media outlet Norwegian Broadcasting Cooperations (NRK) reported that China will grant Norwegian citizens 15-day visa-free travel, making Norway the first and only Nordic country to receive such a privilege.
Currently, China offers 15-day visa-free entry to citizens of 12 European countries, including:
Austria
Belgium
France
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
Poland
Spain
Switzerland
While the specific start and end dates for the visa-free policy have yet to be disclosed, it is expected to follow China's existing visa-free arrangements with 25 other countries worldwide, which typically allow for 15-day stays valid until the end of 2025.
Despite the new visa waiver, direct passenger flights between China and Norway have yet to resume following the pandemic.
The only current direct connection is a cargo flight route between Nanchang in Jiangxi Province and Oslo, launched in July 2024.
Discussions on improving transportation links are expected to follow, especially as more Norwegian visitors are anticipated under the new visa-free policy.
During his visit, Prime Minister Støre will meet with Chinese leaders in Beijing and Shanghai to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, accompanied by a Norwegian business delegation.
In addition to the visa-free agreement, the People's Bank of China and the Central Bank of Norway signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation on economic development and financial stability, fostering deeper bilateral engagement.
This visa-free initiative is part of a broader effort by China, which has recently introduced similar policies for various other nations, to boost international tourism and strengthen its global ties post-pandemic.
READ MORE: Here's How to Travel to China Visa-Free...
For those planning trips to China, the Chinese National Immigration Administration has provided official clarifications on various aspects of the visa-free policy.
READ MORE: Your Questions on China's Visa-Free Travel Answered...
For all your travel tips, visa advice, and insider recommendations on exploring China, stay tuned to our China Travel Tips series.
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[Cover image by Billy Jiang/That's]
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