China expands visa-free entry and digital services. 50 countries get visa-free, 55 get 240-hour transit at 65 ports. Arrivals up 20.4% in 2026. Apps simplify.
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China is preparing to introduce additional visa-free entry measures as part of a wider effort to make international travel more convenient and strengthen the country’s openness to foreign visitors.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, the planned measures will include further improvements to visa-free transit and entry policies, along with expanded use of digital immigration services.
Authorities are also expected to promote electronic travel documents, including e-passports and digital permits, to reduce paperwork and simplify border procedures. More smart immigration channels will be introduced at eligible ports to help qualified passengers complete entry and exit formalities more quickly.
Another major part of the plan is the digitalisation of immigration services.
Applications for visas, residence permits and other immigration-related procedures are expected to become increasingly available online, providing faster and more convenient services for international travellers and foreign residents.
The announcement follows a series of measures introduced by China in recent years to encourage inbound tourism, business travel and international exchanges.
At present, citizens of 50 countries reportedly qualify for unilateral visa-free entry, while travellers from 55 countries may use China’s 240-hour visa-free transit programme through 65 designated ports.
China has already recorded strong growth in international arrivals. During the first half of 2026, the country received nearly 23 million foreign visitors, representing a 20.4% increase compared with the same period in 2025, according to figures from the National Immigration Administration.
Officials attributed much of the increase to the gradual relaxation of visa requirements and improvements to entry procedures.
The largest numbers of foreign visitors came from South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Japan, Mongolia and Australia.
Major cities, including Beijing, have also reported increased passenger traffic during the summer travel season, with more international visitors arriving for tourism, business and educational programmes.
The latest measures are expected to further improve China’s accessibility, reduce administrative barriers and support the continued recovery and expansion of the country’s inbound travel market.
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