A coordinated wave of announcements on 2–3 December revealed that eight major tourism markets—Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea—now offer 30-day visa-free entry to Chinese passport holders . While some exemptions were launched earlier, the joint messaging underlines how quickly governments are moving to capture China’s long-haul outbound rebound.
European tourism boards expect the policy to lengthen itineraries and lift high-spend segments such as luxury retail and fine dining. In the Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand hope easier entry will revive flight loads on the traditionally lucrative Chinese New Year season, while Japan and South Korea see the waiver as crucial to offset softer domestic consumer demand.
![Eight popular destinations, including France and Australia, synchronise 30-day visa-free entry for Chinese citizens]()
For Chinese corporates, the alignment vastly simplifies scheduling conference trips, technical site visits and incentive travel. HR departments can trim lead times for short-term assignments and avoid embassy appointment bottlenecks that plagued 2023-24.
Travellers should note that visa-free status usually bars gainful employment and limits single stays to 30 days within a 90-day period; overstays can incur hefty fines or future entry bans. Airlines are expected to respond with additional frequencies and promotional fares as soon as the northern-hemisphere summer-2026 timetable opens.
Mobility specialists advise booking early: destination-management companies in France and Spain report January-February hotel blocks filling quickly for Chinese groups, while ski resorts in Hokkaido are reopening Mandarin websites after a three-year hiatus.
European tourism boards expect the policy to lengthen itineraries and lift high-spend segments such as luxury retail and fine dining. In the Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand hope easier entry will revive flight loads on the traditionally lucrative Chinese New Year season, while Japan and South Korea see the waiver as crucial to offset softer domestic consumer demand.
For Chinese corporates, the alignment vastly simplifies scheduling conference trips, technical site visits and incentive travel. HR departments can trim lead times for short-term assignments and avoid embassy appointment bottlenecks that plagued 2023-24.
Travellers should note that visa-free status usually bars gainful employment and limits single stays to 30 days within a 90-day period; overstays can incur hefty fines or future entry bans. Airlines are expected to respond with additional frequencies and promotional fares as soon as the northern-hemisphere summer-2026 timetable opens.
Mobility specialists advise booking early: destination-management companies in France and Spain report January-February hotel blocks filling quickly for Chinese groups, while ski resorts in Hokkaido are reopening Mandarin websites after a three-year hiatus.
