China’s decision to unilaterally waive short-stay visas for more than 50 countries is paying visible dividends. Over the five-day May Day holiday that ended on 5 May, 436,000 foreign nationals entered the country visa-free—14.7 percent more than in 2025—according to data the National Immigration Administration (NIA) released on 6 May . The overall number of foreign arrivals reached 1.255 million, a 12.5 percent jump, while total inbound and outbound movements by Chinese and foreign travellers climbed to 11.279 million. Industry analysts say the figures confirm that China’s phased reopening strategy—beginning with 15-day exemptions for European business travellers in late 2024 and culminating in the current 240-hour transit waiver—has restored confidence among airlines and meeting planners. From a corporate-mobility standpoint, the key advantage lies in speed. Travellers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, the UK and most of South-East Asia can now schedule last-minute China trips without waiting for a consular appointment. Aviation data tracked by ForwardKeys show that bookings from visa-free markets rose 22 percent in April, led by London, Seoul and Singapore (numbers not yet officially published).
![Visa-free arrivals hit 436,000 during China’s May Day break, up 14.7 % year-on-year]()
Whether or not your passport grants you visa-free entry, VisaHQ can simplify longer stays and multiple-entry requirements. Their dedicated China page (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers real-time rule updates, document pre-checks and optional courier services, giving both corporate mobility teams and individual travelers a hassle-free way to remain compliant as regulations evolve.
Travel-risk consultants still urge companies to brief employees on documentation. Border officers routinely verify hotel bookings and return tickets; business visitors may be asked for an invitation letter or proof of a meeting agenda. Mobility managers should build these requirements into pre-trip checklists, especially for high-frequency fliers who may combine tourism with client visits. The rebound also has knock-on effects for China’s domestic economy. UnionPay reported that foreign card transactions during the holiday doubled year-on-year, while duty-free sales in Hainan’s offshore stores hit a single-day record of RMB 2.1 billion. With visa-free entry now extended to 31 December 2026, travel operators expect the momentum to carry into the summer peak.
Whether or not your passport grants you visa-free entry, VisaHQ can simplify longer stays and multiple-entry requirements. Their dedicated China page (https://www.visahq.com/china/) offers real-time rule updates, document pre-checks and optional courier services, giving both corporate mobility teams and individual travelers a hassle-free way to remain compliant as regulations evolve.
Travel-risk consultants still urge companies to brief employees on documentation. Border officers routinely verify hotel bookings and return tickets; business visitors may be asked for an invitation letter or proof of a meeting agenda. Mobility managers should build these requirements into pre-trip checklists, especially for high-frequency fliers who may combine tourism with client visits. The rebound also has knock-on effects for China’s domestic economy. UnionPay reported that foreign card transactions during the holiday doubled year-on-year, while duty-free sales in Hainan’s offshore stores hit a single-day record of RMB 2.1 billion. With visa-free entry now extended to 31 December 2026, travel operators expect the momentum to carry into the summer peak.
