At a State Council press briefing in Beijing on 28 May 2026—part of the "New Journey, New Achievers" dialogue series—front-line representatives from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) told domestic and foreign reporters that China is simultaneously tightening border security and making it easier than ever for legitimate travelers to enter. Officials noted that the government’s “visa-free friendship circle” now spans 50 unilateral partners, 29 mutual-waiver countries and 55 nations eligible for 24-, 72- or 144-hour transit-visa exemptions.
![China highlights visa-free expansion and smarter borders in State Council media briefing]()
For individuals and corporate mobility teams trying to navigate these evolving exemptions, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Through its dedicated China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) the platform tracks real-time policy changes, clarifies eligibility for visa-free entry or transit stays, and offers step-by-step support for travelers who still need a traditional visa—helping everyone arrive at Chinese ports of entry fully compliant and prepared.
Since the start of 2026, inbound entries by visa-free travelers have risen 36 percent year-on-year, and pilot e-channels for ordinary-passport holders from France, Germany and Singapore processed more than 2 million scans in their first quarter of operation. Asked how China balances openness with security, border-police commander Zhang Qilei pointed to real-time data sharing between customs, civil-aviation, and public-health platforms. Integrated risk engines flag anomalies before aircraft doors open, while upgraded AI cameras at land checkpoints have trimmed average inspection times for tour coaches on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge from 30 minutes to 12. The NIA also confirmed that its “NIA 12367” app will pilot online accommodation registration for foreigners in seven provinces this summer, eliminating the need for police-station visits. For mobility managers the message is clear: expect faster clearance but stricter compliance. Companies sending staff should ensure passports have at least two blank pages—for new biometric entry stamps—and brief travelers on China’s 24-hour address-registration rule, soon to be enforced electronically. Large events must upload attendee manifests 48 hours in advance or risk delayed badge pick-up at ports of entry. Analysts view the briefing as Beijing’s attempt to show that border modernisation supports, rather than hampers, high-quality growth. With the summer travel peak approaching, the combination of broader visa waivers, e-gates and real-time passenger analytics is expected to push daily border flows above the May-Day record of 2.53 million by August.
For individuals and corporate mobility teams trying to navigate these evolving exemptions, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Through its dedicated China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) the platform tracks real-time policy changes, clarifies eligibility for visa-free entry or transit stays, and offers step-by-step support for travelers who still need a traditional visa—helping everyone arrive at Chinese ports of entry fully compliant and prepared.
Since the start of 2026, inbound entries by visa-free travelers have risen 36 percent year-on-year, and pilot e-channels for ordinary-passport holders from France, Germany and Singapore processed more than 2 million scans in their first quarter of operation. Asked how China balances openness with security, border-police commander Zhang Qilei pointed to real-time data sharing between customs, civil-aviation, and public-health platforms. Integrated risk engines flag anomalies before aircraft doors open, while upgraded AI cameras at land checkpoints have trimmed average inspection times for tour coaches on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge from 30 minutes to 12. The NIA also confirmed that its “NIA 12367” app will pilot online accommodation registration for foreigners in seven provinces this summer, eliminating the need for police-station visits. For mobility managers the message is clear: expect faster clearance but stricter compliance. Companies sending staff should ensure passports have at least two blank pages—for new biometric entry stamps—and brief travelers on China’s 24-hour address-registration rule, soon to be enforced electronically. Large events must upload attendee manifests 48 hours in advance or risk delayed badge pick-up at ports of entry. Analysts view the briefing as Beijing’s attempt to show that border modernisation supports, rather than hampers, high-quality growth. With the summer travel peak approaching, the combination of broader visa waivers, e-gates and real-time passenger analytics is expected to push daily border flows above the May-Day record of 2.53 million by August.
