Speaking at a press conference on 8 March during the National People’s Congress, Foreign Minister Wang Yi provided the clearest metrics yet on China’s visa-liberalisation drive. He revealed that 73 percent of inbound visitors in 2025 entered under one of China’s visa-free schemes, and that Beijing has now granted unilateral waivers to 50 nations while concluding mutual visa-exemption treaties with 29 others. (english.news.cn)
The figures confirm anecdotal reports from airlines and hoteliers that policy changes are translating into real passenger growth. China’s National Bureau of Statistics earlier said visa-free arrivals exceeded 30 million in 2025, up nearly 50 percent year-on-year. Wang emphasised that the foreign ministry will “refine cross-border travel rules” and “upgrade support services,” pointing to faster e-visa portals, wider acceptance of foreign bank cards and multilingual health-declaration apps.
Travel coordinators who still require visas—whether because their nationality is not yet covered or because they plan extended stays—can streamline the paperwork through VisaHQ, which offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and expedited filing via its dedicated China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/).
![Foreign Minister Wang Yi: 73 % of 2025 Visitors Entered China Visa-Free as Policy List Hits 50 Countries]()
Why it matters for corporates. • With three-quarters of travellers already visa-exempt, multinational assignment planners can assume shorter lead times for most short-term trips, but must stay alert to country-specific carve-outs. • Supply-chain managers should factor in more reliable face-to-face visits with Chinese vendors, easing pandemic-era bottlenecks. • If China reaches its aspirational target of 50 million annual visa-free visitors by 2027, Tier-2 cities such as Chengdu and Wuhan are likely to receive more direct intercontinental flights, widening site-selection options for regional hubs.
European angle. In a related answer, Wang noted that over 2 million Europeans travelled to China visa-free last year, crediting the waiver for revitalising cross-border trade and cultural exchanges. (english.news.cn) Mobility teams headquartered in the EU should prepare for heavier demand at popular expatriate schools and serviced apartments in 2026-27.
Next steps. Officials did not name the next batch of countries under consideration, but industry insiders speculate that Australia, New Zealand and several Gulf Cooperation Council states could join before the Asian Games in late 2026. Meanwhile, the National Immigration Administration is piloting biometric e-gates in Shenzhen and Chengdu that recognise the new digital arrival card announced last week.
The figures confirm anecdotal reports from airlines and hoteliers that policy changes are translating into real passenger growth. China’s National Bureau of Statistics earlier said visa-free arrivals exceeded 30 million in 2025, up nearly 50 percent year-on-year. Wang emphasised that the foreign ministry will “refine cross-border travel rules” and “upgrade support services,” pointing to faster e-visa portals, wider acceptance of foreign bank cards and multilingual health-declaration apps.
Travel coordinators who still require visas—whether because their nationality is not yet covered or because they plan extended stays—can streamline the paperwork through VisaHQ, which offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and expedited filing via its dedicated China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/).
Why it matters for corporates. • With three-quarters of travellers already visa-exempt, multinational assignment planners can assume shorter lead times for most short-term trips, but must stay alert to country-specific carve-outs. • Supply-chain managers should factor in more reliable face-to-face visits with Chinese vendors, easing pandemic-era bottlenecks. • If China reaches its aspirational target of 50 million annual visa-free visitors by 2027, Tier-2 cities such as Chengdu and Wuhan are likely to receive more direct intercontinental flights, widening site-selection options for regional hubs.
European angle. In a related answer, Wang noted that over 2 million Europeans travelled to China visa-free last year, crediting the waiver for revitalising cross-border trade and cultural exchanges. (english.news.cn) Mobility teams headquartered in the EU should prepare for heavier demand at popular expatriate schools and serviced apartments in 2026-27.
Next steps. Officials did not name the next batch of countries under consideration, but industry insiders speculate that Australia, New Zealand and several Gulf Cooperation Council states could join before the Asian Games in late 2026. Meanwhile, the National Immigration Administration is piloting biometric e-gates in Shenzhen and Chengdu that recognise the new digital arrival card announced last week.
