China & Samoa Begin Mutual Visa-Free Travel

By Billy Jiang, April 3, 2025

Starting today, April 2, travelers from China and Samoa can officially pack their bags without worrying about visas.

According to the National Immigration Administration of China, the two countries have signed a mutual visa exemption agreement that allows citizens to visit each other without a visa for stays of up to 30 days per entry and a total of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period.

This new policy applies to holders of diplomatic, service/official, and ordinary passports from both countries.

However, travelers planning to work, study, live long-term, or engage in media activities still need to apply for the appropriate visa in advance.

Before today, Samoa had already offered unilateral visa-free access to Chinese citizens, but now, the feeling is mutual—and it’s official.

So, where exactly is Samoa?

This peaceful Pacific island nation lies just west of the Samoa Islands in the South Pacific Ocean and is made up of two main islands—Upolu and Savai’i—along with several smaller ones.

Nestled just west of the International Date Line, Samoa holds the claim to fame of being one of the first places on Earth to see the sunrise each day.

With its tropical rainforest climate, Samoa enjoys warm and inviting temperatures all year round.

The best time to visit is during its dry season from May to October, when the weather is particularly pleasant for beach lovers, waterfall chasers, and island explorers alike.

At the moment, there are no direct flights between the Chinese mainland and Samoa, so travelers should expect to transit via Auckland, New Zealand or Nadi, Fiji, which are the most common layover hubs on the route.

Tip for travelers: Samoa does not require a visa for tourism or recreational visits, but all travelers aged 12 and above must pay a departure tax when leaving the country.

As of April 2025, China unilaterally grants visa-free entry to 36 countries and reciprocal visa-free entry to 27 countries, demonstrating a proactive stance in attracting international tourists.

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[Cover image by Billy Jiang/That's]