China’s inbound tourism roars back as visa-free arrivals jump 35.8 %
Hainan’s closed-port experiment fuels 64 % leap in visa-free foreign visitors
Beijing signals possible 30-day visa-free access for Canadians—implementation still pending
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Philippines opens 14-day visa-free entry to Chinese nationals, boosting regional travel
From 16 January the Philippines allows mainland Chinese citizens to enter visa-free for up to 14 days. The one-year pilot removes paperwork for short trips but bars extensions or paid work, so businesses must still secure permits for longer or remunerated assignments.
Medan Chinese visa centre’s holiday closure delays Lunar-New-Year paperwork
The Medan CVASC closed for a local religious holiday, delaying standard Chinese visa processing by at least two working days and threatening to disrupt pre-Lunar-New-Year travel. Mobility planners should track host-country holidays and reroute urgent cases to open centres.
China’s inbound tourism roars back: visa-free arrivals up 35.8 % at New-Year opening
Official data released 18 January show that foreign arrivals under China’s visa-free and transit-waiver programmes jumped 35.8 % year-on-year during the New-Year holiday, confirming that the country’s expanded exemption lists are stimulating inbound travel. Greater visitor volume boosts tourism revenue and makes short-notice business trips easier, but companies must still observe the no-work restrictions that apply to visa-free entries.
One month after customs ‘closure’, Hainan logs 64 % leap in visa-free foreign visitors
Since Hainan FTP began full customs closure on 18 December 2025, visa-free arrivals have soared. Data released 18 January show 87,000 foreigners—up 64 % year-on-year—entered the island without visas in the past month, underscoring the appeal of its 30-day waiver and duty-free shopping policies. The surge is good news for tourism operators and companies rotating staff through Hainan’s growing free-trade industries.
Philippines grants 14-day visa-free entry to Chinese nationals, fuelling regional travel rebound
Effective 16 January 2026, Chinese citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for stays of up to 14 days via Manila or Cebu, provided they hold onward tickets and confirmed accommodation. The one-year trial is expected to stimulate tourism and business visits, but travellers must leave or convert to appropriate permits if work is involved.
Medan Chinese visa centre’s holiday closure delays Lunar-New-Year travel paperwork
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Medan, Indonesia, was closed on 16 January for a local religious holiday, delaying passport collections until 19 January. The one-day shutdown disrupts visa plans for Indonesian executives and Chinese expatriate families preparing Lunar-New-Year trips and highlights the need for mobility teams to track host-country holiday calendars.