Visa-free Chinese tourists set to boost South Korea’s casino sector

South Korea began allowing visa-free entry for Chinese tourist groups on Monday to boost tourism and the economy. 

Under the pilot program, which will run until June 2026, groups of three or more tourists from mainland China can stay in South Korea for up to 15 days without a visa, Reuters reports. The policy coincides with China’s National Day holidays from October 1–8 and a cluster of South Korean holidays, creating a prime period for travel and tourism.

The policy is expected to benefit multiple sectors. South Korea’s foreigners-only casinos, which rely heavily on Chinese visitors, are expected to be among the biggest winners. Jeju Dream Tower, operated by Lotte Tour Development, is offering 10% discounts along with dining and retail perks. Chinese visitors account for 80% of its foreign guests ahead of Golden Week.

Jeju Shinhwa World is also providing free theme-park entry for tour groups through 2025, while INSPIRE Entertainment Resort on the mainland has launched a WeChat Mini Program to streamline booking, digital payments, and concert access. Grand Korea Leisure, operator of Seven Luck casinos, is combining its 20th-anniversary campaigns with tourism promotions.

The program follows China’s decision in November 2024 to grant South Koreans up to 30 days of visa-free travel. South Korea previously offered a similar entry to Chinese tourists from December 2017 to March 2018, during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

The initiative aligns with the agenda of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who hopes to further strengthen ties ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anticipated visit for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in late October.

Chinese tourists are South Korea’s largest foreign visitor group. According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), 2.54 million Chinese visitors arrived in South Korea during the first half of 2025, reaching 90% of pre-pandemic levels. Officials expect the visa-free program to further increase arrivals, particularly during the October Golden Week holiday, one of the busiest travel periods in China.

Retailers are also preparing for increased demand. Duty-free giants Lotte, Shilla, and Shinsegae are adjusting product lines to match Chinese preferences and offering digital payment discounts of RMB 30–40 ($4.21–5.61) in late September and early October. 

Moreover, Chinese travel agencies have begun marketing “visa-free first group” packages for the National Day holiday, highlighting cultural experiences such as hanbok walks at Gyeongbokgung Palace and tours in Gangwon Province. Hotels are offering group rates and mobile payment perks, while airlines are expanding short-stay packages combining Seoul and Jeju, popular destinations for cultural and leisure visits.

Still, officials noted potential challenges, including high hotel prices and evolving travel habits among Chinese visitors, who are increasingly spending on cultural and lifestyle activities rather than bulk shopping. 

In 2024, Chinese visitors made up nearly 28% of all foreign arrivals, cementing their position as the country’s largest international tourist group. Their contributions are particularly significant for South Korea’s casino sector, where 16 of the 17 licensed casinos cater exclusively to foreigners, with high-spending Chinese gamblers driving much of the revenue.