2026 Visa Policy and Entry Facilitation Guide for China

Driven by these visa facilitation measures, China received 35.17 million international visitors in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 30.5%, with total visitor spending reaching RMB 393.98 billion, up 49.5% year-on-year, reaching a historic high.
A defining policy development in 2026 is the extension of several key visa facilitation measures.
Extension of the Unilateral Visa Waiver Policy: China has decided to extend the unilateral visa waiver policy for 45 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Australia, until midnight on December 31, 2026. Ordinary passport holders from these countries may enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, academic exchanges, or transit for stays of up to 30 days.


Pre-Travel Checklist
· Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2+ blank pages
· Confirm visa requirements (check visa-exempt country list)
· If a visa is required, apply at least 30 days in advance
· Book round-trip flights (required for visa-free entry)
· Book accommodation and keep confirmation
· Complete online arrival card before departure
· Purchase travel insurance that meets China's entry requirements (recommended)
· Download translation and map apps
· Understand payment methods in China and link an international card in advance
 
Meet Us in Xiamen: CHINA SPORT SHOW 2026 Invites You
Visa facilitation not only boosts inbound tourism but also adds momentum to international business engagement.
From May 21 to 24, 2026, CHINA SPORT SHOW will be held at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center. Whether your focus is on cutting-edge fitness technology, smart venue solutions, or innovative sports equipment, this is a premier platform for the industry. The organizing committee has opened pre-registration for domestic.We sincerely welcome colleagues from the global sports industry to join us in Xiamen for this flagship annual gathering of the sporting goods sector!