Uruguay's announcement to grant visa-free entry to Chinese citizens makes it the second South American country after Brazil to waive visa requirements, underscoring a growing effort by countries in the region to attract Chinese tourists and business travelers as economic ties with China deepen.

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin announced on Thursday that Uruguay would implement a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports, with details to be released at a later date.

The announcement came less than a month after Brazil unveiled a similar policy allowing holders of ordinary Chinese passports to stay for up to 30 days visa-free.

Analysts say the back-to-back decisions suggest a growing willingness among Latin American governments to lower barriers for Chinese visitors following China's unilateral visa-free policies to the region.

Niu Haibin, director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said China's unilateral visa-free policies for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay have helped build mutual trust over the past year.

"The positive response to China's visa-free arrangements, together with Brazil's decision to grant visa-free access to Chinese citizens, has created momentum for broader policy coordination across the region," Niu said. "If the policies operate smoothly, more Latin American countries may consider similar measures in the future."

Travel agencies reported increased inquiries following the announcement, with Beijing-based travel agency UTour saying consultations related to Uruguay rose by about 15 percent.

Li Mengran, marketing manager at UTour, said Chinese tourists traveling to South America typically visit several countries on a single trip, meaning easier entry procedures in one country often have spillover effects across the region.

"Brazil and Uruguay introducing visa-free policies in succession will significantly improve travel convenience for Chinese visitors and help stimulate demand across the broader South American tourism market," Li said.

Analysts at Qunar's big data research institute said easier access to multiple destinations could help travelers spread the cost of long-haul flights across several countries, boosting the appeal of South America as a destination during the upcoming summer holiday and National Day travel seasons.

However, Li noted that visa waivers alone would not eliminate some of the structural constraints facing South American tourism.

Most routes still require multiple flight connections due to limited air links with China, while differing visa requirements across neighboring countries continue to complicate multi-destination travel planning, she said.

Visa facilitation has already helped boost travel flows between China and South America.

According to the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection, more than 81,000 travelers from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay entered China through Shanghai ports between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, up 50.5 percent year-on-year. Notably, nearly 70 percent of these arrivals utilized the visa-free policy.

Niu said this experience has enabled more Latin American visitors to gain first-hand exposure to China.

"The policy has strengthened mutual understanding and demonstrated the benefits of easier mobility," he said.

According to China's General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade between China and Uruguay reached $7.19 billion in 2025, up 9.2 percent from a year earlier, with China remaining Uruguay's largest trading partner and largest export market.

Exports to China totaled $3.49 billion last year, accounting for about 26 percent of Uruguay's total exports. China is also the largest overseas market for Uruguayan soybeans and wool, and one of the leading destinations for its beef exports.

At the same time, Chinese products accounted for roughly a quarter of Uruguay's imports, including automobiles, machinery and electronic equipment.

Analysts said easier travel could also facilitate business visits, trade negotiations and investment discussions, helping support broader commercial engagement between the two countries.

The visa waiver follows a period of intensified diplomatic engagement between Beijing and Montevideo, Uruguay's capital.

In February, Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi visited China, where the two countries issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

"As economic ties deepen, governments on both sides are seeking to reduce practical barriers to the movement of people," Niu said."Visa facilitation is often one of the most visible outcomes of deeper political trust and economic integration."