Turkey Announces Visa Exemption for Chinese Citizens!
The Turkish government has announced that starting from January 2, 2026, citizens of the People’s Republic of China holding ordinary passports will be granted visa-free entry for tourism and transit purposes. According to the official gazette, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed a presidential decree allowing Chinese citizens to stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within any 180 days.
Previously, China required an electronic visa for Turkey, which was issued quickly but still involved a fee. With this new policy, travelers can save nearly ¥500! This is indeed a delightful start to the new year.
Compared to European Union countries, Turkey offers shorter flight times and often more affordable airfare. However, tourism in Turkey does have its challenges, primarily due to soaring prices caused by inflation. As of July 2024, Turkey’s inflation rate stood at 61.8%, making it difficult to predict expenses as prices rise faster than travel guides can update.
Brazil Plans to Grant Visa-Free Access to Chinese Citizens
In related news, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reported on the 25th, citing Brazilian media Valor Econômico, that the Brazilian government is preparing to implement a visa exemption policy for Chinese citizens traveling to Brazil for tourism or business purposes. According to sources, this move represents a significant shift in Brazil’s policy, aimed at deepening ties with its largest trading partner.
The measure is expected to be announced in early 2026, reflecting a growing consensus within the Lula administration that easing entry regulations will boost tourism, trade, and investment in Brazil. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on the matter.
According to data released by the Central Bank of Brazil, China has been Brazil’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and the first country to reach an export volume of over $100 billion to Brazil. In the first half of 2025, China was Brazil’s tenth-largest source of foreign direct investment, totaling $379 million, already exceeding the total for the entire previous year.
Unlocking New Opportunities for Sino-Turkish Cooperation
From 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM local time on January 2, multiple direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other Chinese cities landed at Istanbul Airport.
As Turkey’s visa exemption policy for ordinary passport holders from China took effect, the first group of Chinese travelers enjoyed the convenience of hassle-free entry.
“We are honored to be among the first Chinese tourists to benefit from Turkey’s visa exemption policy. Entering with just our passports was incredibly smooth,” said a tour guide with over a decade of experience leading trips to Turkey. On the first day of the policy’s implementation, she arrived in Istanbul with a tour group of over twenty people. She expressed great optimism about the visa exemption, predicting that busy days lie ahead for tourism professionals.
A businessman specializing in the fur trade arrived in Istanbul and waited at the airport for his Turkish partners. “I’ve been collaborating with Turkish merchants for over a decade, traveling here three to four times a year,” he said. The visa exemption policy will significantly facilitate his business activities and further enhance trade exchanges with local partners.
To mark the occasion, China Southern Airlines’ Istanbul office held an event at the airport to welcome the first group of Chinese travelers under the new policy, offering souvenirs to lucky passengers.
In anticipation of increased passenger traffic following the visa exemption, China Southern Airlines plans to increase the frequency of direct flights from Guangzhou, Beijing, and Ürümqi to Istanbul starting in March this year. By then, the total weekly flights could reach 17, further expanding the “Air Silk Road” between China and Turkey.