At a regular press conference in Beijing on 23 April 2026, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun revealed that the number of foreigners entering China on the country’s expanding unilateral visa-free schemes jumped almost 30 percent year-on-year in the first quarter. The official attributed the growth to Beijing’s decision late last year to extend 30-day visa-free entry for 50 countries—including Canada, the United Kingdom and several EU member states—until 31 December 2026, as well as to the resumption of more direct air links and streamlined digital border-entry procedures.
![China Welcomes 30 % Surge in Visa-Free Arrivals, Signals Wider Opening for Business Travelers]()
Travelers and corporate mobility teams who still need assistance navigating China’s evolving entry regulations—whether confirming eligibility for visa-free status or securing longer-term permits—can turn to VisaHQ’s dedicated China portal for up-to-date guidance, digital application tools and fast-track processing options: https://www.visahq.com/china/
Guo stressed that the policy is intended to “inject confidence into the global economy” by encouraging executives, investors and tourists to return to China after three years of pandemic-related disruption. He pointed out that visa-free travelers now account for one in five international arrivals, up from one in nine a year ago, and that spending by short-stay business visitors rose 42 percent in Shanghai and Shenzhen during the same period. For multinationals, the data signal that cross-border trips for site inspections, supply-chain audits and deal negotiation are becoming materially easier. Travel-management companies report that average lead-times for securing meetings in China have dropped from six weeks to under three, as clients no longer need to budget time for consular appointments. Airlines are also benefiting: China Southern has added a daily Guangzhou–Paris rotation aimed at visa-exempt passengers from France, while Air Canada will restart its Toronto–Beijing nonstop in early May. Analysts caution, however, that visa-free entry remains capped at 30 days per visit and does not allow employment or long-term residence. Firms with staff on extended assignments must still secure Z-work permits and residence permits, which can take four to six weeks in Tier-1 cities. Compliance teams should also note that the National Immigration Administration (NIA) is stepping up random exit-checks to ensure travelers do not overstay or engage in paid work. Nevertheless, the sharp uptick in visa-free traffic suggests that Beijing’s broader strategy of using mobility liberalization to attract high-value visitors is gaining traction. With China’s services trade and inbound tourism receipts still below pre-pandemic peaks, further expansions—such as adding Australia and New Zealand to the list, or lengthening stays to 60 days for qualified investors—are being actively discussed, according to people familiar with draft proposals at the NIA.
Travelers and corporate mobility teams who still need assistance navigating China’s evolving entry regulations—whether confirming eligibility for visa-free status or securing longer-term permits—can turn to VisaHQ’s dedicated China portal for up-to-date guidance, digital application tools and fast-track processing options: https://www.visahq.com/china/
Guo stressed that the policy is intended to “inject confidence into the global economy” by encouraging executives, investors and tourists to return to China after three years of pandemic-related disruption. He pointed out that visa-free travelers now account for one in five international arrivals, up from one in nine a year ago, and that spending by short-stay business visitors rose 42 percent in Shanghai and Shenzhen during the same period. For multinationals, the data signal that cross-border trips for site inspections, supply-chain audits and deal negotiation are becoming materially easier. Travel-management companies report that average lead-times for securing meetings in China have dropped from six weeks to under three, as clients no longer need to budget time for consular appointments. Airlines are also benefiting: China Southern has added a daily Guangzhou–Paris rotation aimed at visa-exempt passengers from France, while Air Canada will restart its Toronto–Beijing nonstop in early May. Analysts caution, however, that visa-free entry remains capped at 30 days per visit and does not allow employment or long-term residence. Firms with staff on extended assignments must still secure Z-work permits and residence permits, which can take four to six weeks in Tier-1 cities. Compliance teams should also note that the National Immigration Administration (NIA) is stepping up random exit-checks to ensure travelers do not overstay or engage in paid work. Nevertheless, the sharp uptick in visa-free traffic suggests that Beijing’s broader strategy of using mobility liberalization to attract high-value visitors is gaining traction. With China’s services trade and inbound tourism receipts still below pre-pandemic peaks, further expansions—such as adding Australia and New Zealand to the list, or lengthening stays to 60 days for qualified investors—are being actively discussed, according to people familiar with draft proposals at the NIA.
