Published on
October 28, 2025
In a bid to attract more tourists and strengthen ties with China, South Korea has launched a new visa-free program for Chinese tour groups. This initiative, which began on September 29 and will continue until June 2026, allows groups of three or more mainland Chinese tourists to visit South Korea without needing a visa. The move is already paying off, with increased interest in travel to South Korea and a notable surge in tourists visiting popular spots like Jeju Island.
Jeju Island: A Hotspot for Chinese Tourists
Jeju Island, already a favorite destination for travelers, is seeing the most significant benefits of the new visa-free scheme. According to Sam Chan, the general manager of BSS Travel in Seoul, the island has become an even more popular destination for Chinese tourists. As Jeju allows both individual and group travelers from mainland China to enter without a visa, the island’s tourism industry is thriving.
Chan notes that tour groups are already flocking to Jeju, with local travel agencies arranging guides to lead these groups around the island. However, the industry is hopeful that the policy will expand beyond Jeju, bringing more visitors to South Korea’s other major cities like Seoul. If this happens, the demand for hotels, tour guides, and transportation services will increase, creating a wider boost for the tourism sector.
The Visa-Free Scheme: A Game Changer for South Korea’s Tourism Industry
The new visa-free policy is part of a broader strategy to increase international tourism to South Korea. By allowing groups from China to enter without the burden of a visa, South Korea hopes to increase the number of Chinese visitors, who are known for their affinity for travel. The policy has already resulted in an uptick in customer inquiries about South Korea tours, with Chinese travel agencies noting a rise in bookings for group travel to the country.
Qiu Kexi, chairman of BCTS Travel Service in Hunan Province, mentions that the policy has caused a significant spike in interest from customers who want to visit South Korea. He also highlights that Chinese tourists are increasingly searching for South Korean attractions online, a clear indication of the growing demand.
Travelers seeking to explore South Korea’s rich culture, scenic landscapes, and bustling cities now have a more straightforward route thanks to this new initiative. If the visa-free program continues to prove successful, it’s likely to be expanded, possibly including individual travelers as well.
A Positive Impact on South Korea-China Relations
This visa-free initiative follows a similar move by China in November last year, when it granted South Korean nationals visa exemptions for up to 30 days. The mutual exchange of visa-free policies has boosted tourism between the two nations and is expected to have a long-lasting effect on bilateral relations. Analysts agree that fostering greater people-to-people exchanges through tourism will strengthen ties between South Korea and China, facilitating greater cultural understanding and cooperation.
According to Qiu, the rise in South Korean visitors to China, driven by Beijing’s visa-free policy, is already noticeable. More than 910,000 South Koreans visited China in the year following the visa change. This growing trend is expected to continue as both countries focus on enhancing their tourism sectors and mutual exchanges.
Future Prospects for South Korea’s Tourism
The South Korean government’s strategy to bring in more Chinese tourists fits into a larger global trend of increasing tourism flows. As South Korea prepares for further international events, including the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, tourism will likely continue to play a central role in fostering international cooperation. South Korea’s tourism industry is well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing rise in interest from Chinese travelers, especially with the possibility of expanding the visa-free program.
Conclusion: More Chinese Tourists Are Exploring South Korea
With the introduction of the visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups, South Korea is set to benefit from a wave of tourists eager to explore its vibrant cities and picturesque landscapes. Jeju Island has already seen a surge in visitors, and there is growing hope that other regions will see similar growth if the policy expands. As both South Korea and China continue to foster their bilateral tourism relations, this initiative marks a pivotal moment in global tourism trends, offering both nations new opportunities for growth and cultural exchange.
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