China Adds Canada and UK to 30-Day Visa-Free Entry Scheme
Spring-Festival Travel Rush Sets New Daily Record
Visa-Free Shoppers Flock to China as Agencies Pledge Fully Digital Entry Services by 2027
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Reminder on China’s 24-Hour Temporary-Residence Registration Rule for Foreigners
An updated legal briefing issued on 21 February emphasises that foreign nationals in China must complete PSB temporary-residence registration within 24 hours of arrival at any new address. Tighter electronic cross-checks mean lapses can now delay residence-permit renewals, so companies are urged to reinforce compliance procedures.
Direct Quanzhou–Cebu Flights to Resume as Visa Easing Spurs Demand
Xiamen Airlines will restart Quanzhou–Cebu flights from 29 March 2026, according to a 21 February *Philstar* report. The move, enabled by relaxed Philippine entry rules for Chinese visitors, will shorten travel times for Fujian businesses with operations in Cebu and is expected to boost two-way tourism and trade.
China adds Canada and UK to 30-day visa-free entry, lifting total to 50 countries
Effective 17 February 2026, Canada and the UK joined China’s 30-day visa-free entry scheme, bringing the eligible-country total to 50. The waiver covers business, tourism, family visits and transit but excludes paid work. Companies gain faster deployment options and cost savings, yet must still monitor purpose-of-stay limits and China’s cybersecurity rules.
Spring Festival travel rush to surpass 2 million daily border crossings, Immigration Administration warns
NIA estimates show daily border traffic during the nine-day 2026 Spring Festival break topping 2.05 million, 14 % above 2025. Record rail and flight volumes will create bottlenecks at major airports and land crossings, prompting companies to adjust travel dates or use alternative gateways.
China upgrades digital services for foreigners ahead of holiday peak
A multi-ministry guideline highlighted on 20 February promises smoother digital payments and English-language support for overseas visitors. Improvements to Alipay/WeChat foreign-card binding, online arrival cards and instant VAT refunds reduce friction for short-term assignees and business travellers.
U.S. March 2026 Visa Bulletin advances EB-1 and EB-2 for China, easing backlog pressure
The March 2026 Visa Bulletin, published 20 February, advances China’s EB-1 cutoff to 1 Dec 2023 and EB-2 to 1 Oct 2016. Chinese nationals whose priority dates are now current can file I-485 applications in March, securing interim work/travel cards and shortening U.S. permanent-residence timelines.
Record ‘silver-economy’ travel prompts airlines to adjust capacity during Spring Festival peak
Airlines report a 160 % year-on-year rise in senior travellers during the 2026 Spring Festival, accounting for one in five seats on key domestic routes. The surge is lengthening priority-service queues and prompting carriers to add capacity and special-assistance staff—factors corporate travel planners must now incorporate.