China Visa Update — 13 April 2026

visa • 13 April 2026

China's visa policies for 2026 continue to prioritise ease for tourists through expanded visa-free entry and streamlined processes, making it simpler for Australian travellers to explore its diverse destinations. On 20 March 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued the “Policy Measures on Promoting the Export of Travel Services and Expanding Inbound Consumption,” which includes orderly expansion of unilateral visa-free countries, enhanced transit visa-free options with potentially longer stays, and new efficiencies like an electronic visa system and online Arrival Card submissions[1]. These updates build on existing visa-free access for short stays of 30, 60, or 90 days for eligible nationalities, alongside 72- or 144-hour transit visa-free stays at 60 ports for those connecting to third countries[2][6]. The impact is already evident, with 8.32 million foreigners entering visa-free in Q1 2026—a 29-30% year-on-year surge, accounting for nearly 78% of all foreign arrivals and boosting tourism beyond major hubs like Beijing and Shanghai into second-tier spots ideal for Australian adventurers[5][6][7]. Additional traveller-friendly steps include simplified approvals for exhibitions and events, local visa extensions, and a forthcoming electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system that could extend stays to 90 days with multiple entries, plus nationwide digital address registration for private stays via the NIA 12367 app[1][5][6]. Australians should verify eligibility via official channels and prepare itineraries leveraging these options for seamless trips through 31 December 2026[3][4].

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