The act is in reciprocity with the measure adopted by China since 2025
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that he will grant exemptions from some categories of short-term visas to Chinese citizens, in reciprocity with the exemption measure adopted by China since 2025.
Lula informed the decision to the President of China, Xi Jinping, in a telephone conversation on Thursday night (22).
In a note released this Friday morning (23), Palácio do Planalto explained that the exemption occurs in the context of expanding cooperation in areas on the “frontier of knowledge”.
China’s visa exemption policy began to include Brazilian citizens since June 1, 2025, with a validity of one year that 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 objective is to facilitate the exchange of people between the Asian country and other regions, in the context of China’s rapprochement 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, do not need a visa 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, exchanges and transit purposes. They can stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days without a visa.
Phone call
The phone call between Lula and Xi Jinping lasted around 45 minutes.
The two leaders talked about the strengthening of bilateral relations since President Xi’s visit to Brazil and the formation of the Community of a Shared Future for a Fairer World and a More Sustainable Planet, in November 2024. In this regard, they highlighted the synergies between the respective national development projects, especially in the areas of infrastructure, ecological transition and technology.
President Lula announced, in this context, that he will grant exemption from some categories of short-term visas to Chinese citizens, in reciprocity to the exemption measure adopted by China since 2025.
The initiative increases the strategic partnership between the two countries.
With information from Planalto and Agência Brasil on 01/23/2026
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026/01/23/lula-anuncia-isencao-de-visto-a-cidadaos-chineses/
