Lula announces visa exemption for Chinese nationals
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced he will grant exemption for certain categories of short-term visas to Chinese citizens, in reciprocity to the exemption measure adopted by China in 2025.
Lula informed Chinese President Xi Jinping of the decision in a telephone conversation on Thursday evening (Jan. 22).
In a statement released Friday morning (23), the Planalto presidential palace explained that the decision comes in the context of growing cooperation in areas of “frontier knowledge.”
China’s visa exemption policy has included Brazilian nationals since June 1, 2025, valid for one year, and was later extended until December 31, 2026.
The measure also includes other South American countries – Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay – in the total of 45 nations that are part of China’s unilateral policy.
The goal is to facilitate the exchange of people between the Asian country and other regions, as part of China’s efforts to build closer ties with Latin America and other blocs.
Brazil, Argentina, and Chile are among the five largest economies in the region. Since 2024, most European countries, as well as Japan and South Korea, have not required visas to travel to China.
Holders of valid ordinary passports from these countries are exempt from visa requirements when entering China for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange programs, and transit. They can stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa.
Phone call
The phone call between Lula and Xi Jinping lasted about 45 minutes. The two leaders discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations since President Xi’s visit to Brazil and the formation of the Brazil–China Community of Shared Future for a More Just World and a More Sustainable Planet in November 2024. The initiative elevates the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“In this regard, they highlighted the synergies between their respective national development projects – particularly in the areas of infrastructure, ecological transition, and technology,” a statement from Lula’s office says.
Regarding the global scenario, the note goes on, Lula stressed that Brazil and China are nations that play a “central role in defending multilateralism, international law, and free trade.”
“Presidents Lula and Xi reiterated their commitment to strengthening the United Nations as a means of defending peace and stability in the world,” the statement reads.
China’s state-run news agency, Xinhua, also released information about the phone call and added that Xi Jinping told Lula that China and Brazil should safeguard the common interests of the Global South and jointly maintain the central role of the United Nations amid the “turbulent international situation.”
“China is committed to always being a good friend and partner to Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, and to moving forward together in building a China–LAC community with a shared future,” the Chinese president is quoted as saying according to Xinhua.
