Beijing unveiled another sweeping round of unilateral visa waivers on 27 October, extending 30-day visa-free entry to ordinary-passport holders from 43 nations across Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the policy is effective immediately and will run on a pilot basis until 31 December 2026.
The expanded list folds in major developed markets—including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan—as well as emerging partners such as Brazil, Argentina and Malaysia. Travellers may enter for tourism, business, family visits or transit without needing to visit a consulate. Multiple entries are permitted within the validity window, provided each stay does not exceed 30 days.
Officials framed the move as part of China’s post-pandemic “high-level opening-up.” Inbound arrivals are still barely half of 2019 levels, and the service sector is struggling with vacancy rates in hotels, exhibition halls and premium retail. By slashing paperwork and fees, policymakers hope to entice both leisure visitors and exhibitors for flagship events such as the Canton Fair and China International Import Expo.
Travel platforms reacted instantly: Trip.com searches from newly eligible countries jumped 280 percent within six hours of the announcement, while Air China said it will add 37,000 seats on European routes during the northern-winter timetable. Multinationals welcomed the development for easing last-minute executive trips and short technical assignments, reducing compliance costs associated with the M-- or F--visa process.
Immigration lawyers caution that visa-free entrants must still complete the standard 24-hour hotel registration and cannot engage in remunerated work. Employers planning longer-term postings will still need to secure work permits and residence visas. Nevertheless, the blanket waiver is viewed as a significant competitive advantage versus regional hubs that have reinstated visa fees in 2024-25.
The expanded list folds in major developed markets—including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan—as well as emerging partners such as Brazil, Argentina and Malaysia. Travellers may enter for tourism, business, family visits or transit without needing to visit a consulate. Multiple entries are permitted within the validity window, provided each stay does not exceed 30 days.
Officials framed the move as part of China’s post-pandemic “high-level opening-up.” Inbound arrivals are still barely half of 2019 levels, and the service sector is struggling with vacancy rates in hotels, exhibition halls and premium retail. By slashing paperwork and fees, policymakers hope to entice both leisure visitors and exhibitors for flagship events such as the Canton Fair and China International Import Expo.
Travel platforms reacted instantly: Trip.com searches from newly eligible countries jumped 280 percent within six hours of the announcement, while Air China said it will add 37,000 seats on European routes during the northern-winter timetable. Multinationals welcomed the development for easing last-minute executive trips and short technical assignments, reducing compliance costs associated with the M-- or F--visa process.
Immigration lawyers caution that visa-free entrants must still complete the standard 24-hour hotel registration and cannot engage in remunerated work. Employers planning longer-term postings will still need to secure work permits and residence visas. Nevertheless, the blanket waiver is viewed as a significant competitive advantage versus regional hubs that have reinstated visa fees in 2024-25.
