South Korea to waive visas for Chinese tourists Sept 2025–Jun 2026

South Korea will roll out a temporary visa waiver for Chinese tourists from late September 2025 through June 30, 2026, a move designed to lift inbound travel during China’s biggest holiday periods. Officials and industry watchers say the step should boost hotel stays, retail spending, and tour bookings across the country, yet it is unlikely to deliver a strong profit jump for Chinese airlines because carriers still face overcapacity, intense fare competition, and higher operating costs. The plan marks a targeted push to revive tourism after the pandemic slump, without making a permanent change to entry rules.

Timing and purpose

The timing is calibrated for peak demand. Launching just before China’s week-long National Day holiday and stretching through Lunar New Year and the spring travel season, the visa waiver aims to tap into the strongest windows for outbound trips from China.

Authorities have presented the measure as a temporary program focused on tourism, fitting within broader efforts to rebuild visitor numbers from South Korea’s largest pre-pandemic source of foreign travelers. As of August 26, 2025, officials have not released granular steps for how the waiver will work in practice — such as whether it will cover individual as well as group travelers, or whether any advance online registration will be required.

While much of the fine print remains pending, the policy direction is clear: make it easier for Chinese nationals to visit for short stays, right when many families, students, and retirees in China tend to take vacations.

Expected tourism benefits

The window captures key shopping and festival periods that matter for South Korea’s tourism-dependent businesses, from duty-free outlets in Seoul to seaside hotels in Busan and dining hotspots in Jeju. Industry voices expect the change to:

• Draw back repeat visitors who paused trips during the pandemic
• Attract first-time travelers weighing regional options for holidays
• Boost occupancy and retail transactions during peak weeks

Local governments and tourism operators are likely to respond by adding Chinese-language services, adjusting opening hours, and offering holiday-aligned packages to capture the multiplier effect: hotel stays → restaurants → shopping → service jobs.

Aviation: demand vs. profitability

Despite likely higher passenger volumes on South Korea routes, the visa waiver is not forecast to quickly strengthen airline margins. Key structural headwinds persist:

• Overcapacity on international routes keeps yields down
• Competition between Chinese and Korean carriers suppresses fares
• Operational costs, especially fuel, remain elevated
• Demand recovery is still incomplete compared with pre-pandemic levels

Analysts note that fuller planes do not automatically translate into healthier profits. According to VisaVerge.com, the waiver will help fill seats during peak weeks but won’t resolve deeper airline issues tied to pricing power and cost control. Carriers face choices such as:

1. Adjusting schedules and capacity to stabilize yields
2. Seeking partnerships or code-sharing to improve efficiency
3. Relying more on ancillary revenue (with limits on short-haul flights)

Airlines that manage to cluster flights around peak days and coordinate with tour operators may protect yields, but success depends on broader demand growth and disciplined capacity management.

Policy context and interaction with K-ETA

South Korea’s approach sits alongside its wider entry policy posture in 2025:

• Nationals of 22 jurisdictions (including the United States 🇺🇸 and Japan) are exempt from K-ETA until December 31, 2025.
• Nationals from 113 countries and regions remain eligible for visa-free entry for stays ranging from 30 to 90 days, though most still need to apply for K-ETA unless specifically exempted.

The temporary measure for Chinese passport holders is distinct: during the waiver window they will not need to apply for a visa for short tourist visits. Officials have not announced whether any pre-arrival data step — such as a streamlined authorization — will be added.

For authoritative guidance on entry rules and updates, consult the Korea Immigration Service: https://www.immigration.go.kr. Officials are expected to post procedural details once the rollout plan is finalized.

Policy changes overview (quick facts)

Important: As of August 26, 2025, procedural details (coverage, pre-registration, length of stay limits) have not been published. Travelers and businesses should watch official channels.

What this means for Chinese travelers

Core points for travelers as of August 26, 2025:

• The waiver applies to Chinese passport holders for tourism between late September 2025 and June 30, 2026.
• Eligible visitors will not need a visa for short-term tourist stays during this period.
• It is unclear if both group and individual travelers are covered or whether pre-arrival registration will be required.
• Air seats and hotels are likely to tighten around the first week of October (National Day) and Lunar New Year.

Practical tips:

• Monitor official updates and complete any announced pre-registration promptly.
• Check airline and airport guidance for carrier-specific requirements.
• Confirm other entry rules if holding additional nationalities or intending to travel elsewhere.

Official guidance: https://www.immigration.go.kr.

Operational impacts for South Korean businesses

Businesses should prepare for a likely rise in arrivals, especially during peak holiday weeks. Anticipated adjustments include:

• Hotels: more front-desk and housekeeping staff; holiday promotions
• Retailers: extended hours; stocking popular products
• Tour providers: additional guides and drivers; group itineraries aligned to school breaks
• Local governments: pop-up help desks; more Chinese-language signage

Early procedural details from authorities would enable better forecasting and staffing plans.

Key questions still outstanding

As implementation details emerge, the practical questions to watch include:

• Will the waiver cover both independent travelers and organized tour groups?
• Will the waiver specify a maximum stay length for Chinese tourists?
• Will any pre-travel online step be required for security or screening?

Answers to these will shape booking behavior, airline call center volumes, and travel agency workloads.

Final assessment and outlook

• The visa waiver removes a concrete barrier and sends a clear signal of welcome to Chinese tourists during busy seasons.
• It should boost tourism activity at the margin, especially around National Day and Lunar New Year, benefitting hotels, retail, and services.
• For Chinese airlines, the profit upside is likely to be gradual, not sudden, because of lingering overcapacity, competitive fares, and higher operating costs.
• Sustained improvement in airline profitability will require a broader rebound in outbound Chinese travel, careful capacity management, and disciplined pricing.

Key takeaway: The waiver sets a firm calendar and provides a planning horizon for travelers and businesses. The policy’s success will hinge on both procedural clarity from authorities and how smoothly the visitor experience is delivered on the ground.

For official updates and procedural details once they are released, consult the Korea Immigration Service: https://www.immigration.go.kr.