JAKARTA - Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin announced on June 4 that the government had started a process to allow Chinese citizens to enter Uruguay without visas. The foreign ministry said Lubetkin made the announcement at a farewell event for Chinese Ambassador Huang Yazhong.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a June 5 press conference, “Greater ease of travel between China and Uruguay will contribute to better mutual understanding and more exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples.”
The measure would reciprocate China’s waiver for Uruguayan travellers. China’s foreign ministry visa-free entry guide lists Uruguay among 50 countries whose nationals may enter China without visas when holding valid ordinary passports. Eligible visitors may stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visits to family or friends, exchanges and transit. The Chinese waiver for Uruguay remains in effect through December 31.
China was Uruguay’s largest export destination in 2025. Uruguay XXI said in a February 3 update that Uruguayan exports to China totalled USD 3.493 billion, representing 26% of the country’s exports and an increase of nearly 12% from 2024. China bought 86% of Uruguay’s soybean exports and remained a leading market for pulp and beef.
Uruguay’s published admission guide, dated August 19, 2025, still requires visas for most Chinese ordinary-passport holders. The guide allows an exception for travellers with a valid visa from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or the European Union if their first entry is through Carrasco, Montevideo or Colonia.
The announcement follows Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi’s official visit to China from February 1 to 7. Orsi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on February 3, the 38th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Their delegations signed agreements and memoranda covering trade and investment promotion, meat exports, science, technology, environmental cooperation, fisheries and intellectual property.
