China’s latest inbound-mobility package, unveiled on 11 December by the People’s Daily and confirmed by the National Immigration Administration (NIA), couples wider visa-free access with a tangible financial sweetener: larger and easier departure-tax refunds. Together, the measures aim to convert record-high interest in post-pandemic China travel into longer stays and, crucially, higher per-capita spending.
On the visa side, Beijing reiterated that its unilateral 30-day visa-free scheme—already covering most of Europe, Australia–New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and key South American and GCC countries—will remain in force until at least 31 December 2026. More ports now support the 240-hour (10-day) transit waiver, bringing the total to 65 and adding gateways such as Guangzhou, Zhongshan and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Eligible travellers can roam 24 provincial-level regions without a visa provided they hold an onward ticket to a third country.
For travellers unsure whether their itinerary or passport qualifies under the new rules, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The company’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers real-time updates on visa-free policies, transit waivers and required documentation, and can arrange concierge services or courier submission when a traditional visa is still needed—making compliance easier for both individuals and corporate travel teams.
![China Links Bigger Visa-Free Network with Higher Tax-Refund Limits to Lure Foreign Visitors]()
The fiscal incentive targets shoppers. Effective immediately, the minimum single-purchase amount qualifying for a value-added-tax refund falls from 500 yuan to 200 yuan (≈ US $28), while the cash-refund ceiling at airport counters doubles to 20,000 yuan (≈ US $2,770). Shanghai—home to 1,700 participating stores—has already processed nearly 100,000 refund claims from 179 nationalities in the first nine months of 2025, a 230 % surge year-on-year. Nationally, refund volumes jumped 97 %, signalling pent-up demand.
For multinational employers, the policy mix lowers friction for short-term assignees, auditors and technicians who often need rapid entry and flexible itineraries. Extended transit options mean project staff can route through mainland hubs without breaching visa rules, while lighter refund thresholds reduce incidental costs on equipment or client gifts. Event organisers eyeing China for conferences now have a clearer runway through 2026, mitigating visa-approval uncertainty.
Travel managers should update booking systems to flag the new 240-hour ports and ensure personnel carry proof of onward travel. Finance departments may revisit expense caps, as employees can reclaim VAT on smaller purchases—receipts must be stamped by eligible merchants and claims lodged within 90 days of purchase. Importantly, the reforms do not waive China’s requirement that foreigners file an online arrival card, but the NIA’s new web and app portals simplify that process.
Analysts interpret the twin policies as part of a broader campaign to revive inbound tourism, whose numbers still trail 2019 levels by roughly 35 %. By locking in visa-free certainty through 2026 and boosting shopping rebates, Beijing hopes to shift the narrative from “open but complicated” to “open and rewarding,” particularly ahead of the 2026 Winter Asian Games in Harbin.
On the visa side, Beijing reiterated that its unilateral 30-day visa-free scheme—already covering most of Europe, Australia–New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and key South American and GCC countries—will remain in force until at least 31 December 2026. More ports now support the 240-hour (10-day) transit waiver, bringing the total to 65 and adding gateways such as Guangzhou, Zhongshan and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Eligible travellers can roam 24 provincial-level regions without a visa provided they hold an onward ticket to a third country.
For travellers unsure whether their itinerary or passport qualifies under the new rules, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The company’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers real-time updates on visa-free policies, transit waivers and required documentation, and can arrange concierge services or courier submission when a traditional visa is still needed—making compliance easier for both individuals and corporate travel teams.
The fiscal incentive targets shoppers. Effective immediately, the minimum single-purchase amount qualifying for a value-added-tax refund falls from 500 yuan to 200 yuan (≈ US $28), while the cash-refund ceiling at airport counters doubles to 20,000 yuan (≈ US $2,770). Shanghai—home to 1,700 participating stores—has already processed nearly 100,000 refund claims from 179 nationalities in the first nine months of 2025, a 230 % surge year-on-year. Nationally, refund volumes jumped 97 %, signalling pent-up demand.
For multinational employers, the policy mix lowers friction for short-term assignees, auditors and technicians who often need rapid entry and flexible itineraries. Extended transit options mean project staff can route through mainland hubs without breaching visa rules, while lighter refund thresholds reduce incidental costs on equipment or client gifts. Event organisers eyeing China for conferences now have a clearer runway through 2026, mitigating visa-approval uncertainty.
Travel managers should update booking systems to flag the new 240-hour ports and ensure personnel carry proof of onward travel. Finance departments may revisit expense caps, as employees can reclaim VAT on smaller purchases—receipts must be stamped by eligible merchants and claims lodged within 90 days of purchase. Importantly, the reforms do not waive China’s requirement that foreigners file an online arrival card, but the NIA’s new web and app portals simplify that process.
Analysts interpret the twin policies as part of a broader campaign to revive inbound tourism, whose numbers still trail 2019 levels by roughly 35 %. By locking in visa-free certainty through 2026 and boosting shopping rebates, Beijing hopes to shift the narrative from “open but complicated” to “open and rewarding,” particularly ahead of the 2026 Winter Asian Games in Harbin.
