China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prolonged its short-stay visa-waiver scheme for citizens of 50 countries — including Ireland — until 31 December 2026, according to a statement released in Beijing and reported internationally on 4 November. Irish ordinary-passport holders may continue to visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism or family visits. Beijing also added Sweden to the list, bringing the total of eligible nations to 50.
The policy, originally due to lapse at the end of 2025, has become a pillar of China’s effort to revive inbound travel and foreign investment. Irish companies with manufacturing operations or sourcing offices in China welcomed the certainty the two-year extension provides, noting that short-notice trips for quality control and negotiations had spiked since travel restrictions were lifted earlier this year.
![China extends visa-free entry for Irish passport holders to 31 December 2026]()
The waiver does not cover work permits or long-term assignments; employees posted for more than 30 days will still need a Z-visa and residence permit. Travellers must also register with local police within 24 hours of arrival, a requirement that can be completed automatically when checking into most hotels but can catch out those staying in private accommodation.
Irish mobility managers should update travel-approval flows to remove unnecessary visa-cost allocations for short trips, but continue to factor in China’s digital arrival-card system and occasional regional Covid-testing requirements. The extension also aligns with the planned launch of China’s e-visa platform in mid-2026, which should streamline longer-stay applications for Irish assignees.
Bottom line: until at least end-2026, most Irish executives can enter China at short notice without a visa, giving companies greater flexibility as supply-chain diversification debates continue.
The policy, originally due to lapse at the end of 2025, has become a pillar of China’s effort to revive inbound travel and foreign investment. Irish companies with manufacturing operations or sourcing offices in China welcomed the certainty the two-year extension provides, noting that short-notice trips for quality control and negotiations had spiked since travel restrictions were lifted earlier this year.
The waiver does not cover work permits or long-term assignments; employees posted for more than 30 days will still need a Z-visa and residence permit. Travellers must also register with local police within 24 hours of arrival, a requirement that can be completed automatically when checking into most hotels but can catch out those staying in private accommodation.
Irish mobility managers should update travel-approval flows to remove unnecessary visa-cost allocations for short trips, but continue to factor in China’s digital arrival-card system and occasional regional Covid-testing requirements. The extension also aligns with the planned launch of China’s e-visa platform in mid-2026, which should streamline longer-stay applications for Irish assignees.
Bottom line: until at least end-2026, most Irish executives can enter China at short notice without a visa, giving companies greater flexibility as supply-chain diversification debates continue.
