Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on 7 March, Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli set out the clearest road-map yet for turning China into what he called “the world’s most convenient long-haul destination.” Under the new plan—part of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030)—Beijing will accelerate five parallel work-streams: 1) expanding the list of countries enjoying 30-day visa-free entry, 2) adding 10 more airports and four land-sea crossings to the 144-/240-hour transit-visa waiver, 3) rolling out pre-arrival e-entry cards that generate a QR code for immigration, 4) linking all international bank cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay by year-end, and 5) doubling the number of same-day tax-refund counters in duty-free zones.
Sun disclosed that 150 million inbound trips were recorded in 2025—up 17 percent year-on-year—while spending surpassed US$130 billion. More than 30 million travellers entered under visa-free regimes, confirming that “policy liberalisation directly converts into arrivals.” To amplify the effect, provincial tourism bureaus will be required to publish visa-free city itineraries in at least six languages and to train 50,000 additional hotel staff in English and “one second foreign language.”
![China Pledges ‘One-Stop’ Visa and Payment Upgrades to Woo More Foreign Visitors]()
To help travellers and corporate mobility planners navigate these rapidly evolving entry rules, VisaHQ offers real-time visa guidance and application support for China. Its portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) breaks down eligibility for the new visa-free categories, tracks 144-/240-hour transit allowances, and can still secure traditional visas or invitation letters when required—providing a one-stop solution while Beijing’s reforms phase in.
Payment pain-points, long a complaint of business travellers, are also being addressed. International credit cards will be fully interoperable with China’s QR-code payment ecosystem by Q4 2026; trial pilots in Shanghai and Shenzhen have already processed ¥12 billion in transactions. Separately, cash-exchange “small-change packages” will be sold at rail hubs to help visitors who still prefer banknotes.
Industry reaction has been swift. Global TMCs such as FCM Travel told Global Mobility News that simpler entry “removes the last major friction” for managers relocating talent to China’s tier-two tech hubs. Large retailers eye faster VAT refunds as a boost to tourist shopping, while event organisers say the promise of same-day e-gate enrolment will make China more competitive against Singapore and Dubai for large congresses. Companies planning 2026 incentive trips or regional headquarters rotations should begin updating mobility policies to reflect the easier access—especially the expanded transit-visa network that now links European and Australasian routes through Chinese hubs.
Sun disclosed that 150 million inbound trips were recorded in 2025—up 17 percent year-on-year—while spending surpassed US$130 billion. More than 30 million travellers entered under visa-free regimes, confirming that “policy liberalisation directly converts into arrivals.” To amplify the effect, provincial tourism bureaus will be required to publish visa-free city itineraries in at least six languages and to train 50,000 additional hotel staff in English and “one second foreign language.”
To help travellers and corporate mobility planners navigate these rapidly evolving entry rules, VisaHQ offers real-time visa guidance and application support for China. Its portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) breaks down eligibility for the new visa-free categories, tracks 144-/240-hour transit allowances, and can still secure traditional visas or invitation letters when required—providing a one-stop solution while Beijing’s reforms phase in.
Payment pain-points, long a complaint of business travellers, are also being addressed. International credit cards will be fully interoperable with China’s QR-code payment ecosystem by Q4 2026; trial pilots in Shanghai and Shenzhen have already processed ¥12 billion in transactions. Separately, cash-exchange “small-change packages” will be sold at rail hubs to help visitors who still prefer banknotes.
Industry reaction has been swift. Global TMCs such as FCM Travel told Global Mobility News that simpler entry “removes the last major friction” for managers relocating talent to China’s tier-two tech hubs. Large retailers eye faster VAT refunds as a boost to tourist shopping, while event organisers say the promise of same-day e-gate enrolment will make China more competitive against Singapore and Dubai for large congresses. Companies planning 2026 incentive trips or regional headquarters rotations should begin updating mobility policies to reflect the easier access—especially the expanded transit-visa network that now links European and Australasian routes through Chinese hubs.
