A coordinated wave of announcements on 2–3 December confirmed that Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea now all grant 30-day visa-free entry to Chinese passport holders. While some waivers were introduced earlier, the joint messaging underscores fierce competition to capture China’s fast-rebounding outbound market.
European tourism boards project longer itineraries that will lift high-spend segments such as luxury retail and fine dining. In the Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand see the move as a lifeline for airlines gearing up for the Chinese New Year peak, whereas Japan and South Korea view Chinese visitors as critical to offsetting sluggish domestic demand.
![Eight Major Destinations Synchronise 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Citizens]()
The alignment is equally significant for corporate mobility. HR teams can now plan conference visits, due-diligence trips and incentive travel without contending with embassy appointment backlogs that plagued 2023-24. However, travellers must remember that most visa-free regimes prohibit remunerated work, limit single stays to 30 days within a 90-day period and carry hefty penalties for overstays.
Airlines are expected to add frequencies and promotional fares once the northern-hemisphere summer-2026 timetable is finalised. Destination-management companies in France and Spain report January-February hotel blocks filling rapidly, while ski resorts in Hokkaido are re-launching Mandarin websites after a three-year hiatus.
Mobility managers should audit travel-approval workflows, clarify allowable activities under visa-free entry and remind staff to maintain proof of onward travel and sufficient funds—standard requirements under most waiver schemes.
European tourism boards project longer itineraries that will lift high-spend segments such as luxury retail and fine dining. In the Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand see the move as a lifeline for airlines gearing up for the Chinese New Year peak, whereas Japan and South Korea view Chinese visitors as critical to offsetting sluggish domestic demand.
The alignment is equally significant for corporate mobility. HR teams can now plan conference visits, due-diligence trips and incentive travel without contending with embassy appointment backlogs that plagued 2023-24. However, travellers must remember that most visa-free regimes prohibit remunerated work, limit single stays to 30 days within a 90-day period and carry hefty penalties for overstays.
Airlines are expected to add frequencies and promotional fares once the northern-hemisphere summer-2026 timetable is finalised. Destination-management companies in France and Spain report January-February hotel blocks filling rapidly, while ski resorts in Hokkaido are re-launching Mandarin websites after a three-year hiatus.
Mobility managers should audit travel-approval workflows, clarify allowable activities under visa-free entry and remind staff to maintain proof of onward travel and sufficient funds—standard requirements under most waiver schemes.
