China Visa Update — 16 April 2026

visa • 16 April 2026

**China is expanding its visa-free entry policies for tourists in 2026, with plans to include more countries on the unilateral 30-day visa-free list and enhance 240-hour (10-day) transit options across 24 provinces, making it easier for Australian travellers to explore destinations like the Yangtze River Delta or Greater Bay Area.** According to China Daily, these measures drove a 29.3% year-on-year surge in visa-free foreign arrivals to 8.32 million in Q1 2026, accounting for 77.9% of all foreign entries, as reported by the National Immigration Administration.[6] KPMG notes that the Ministry of Commerce's 20 March 2026 measures also introduce an electronic visa system, online Arrival Card submissions, and simplified approvals for events, further streamlining processes for visitors.[1] Australian passport holders should check if mutual visa-free agreements advance, as negotiations with ASEAN partners near completion and a pre-travel electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system is under study.[5] Additional traveller-friendly updates include a pilot online accommodation registration app in seven provinces since March, expanding nationwide later in 2026 to skip police station visits for private stays.[6] These enhancements position China as an increasingly accessible destination, with infrastructure like facial-recognition lanes at sites such as Tianmen Mountain supporting smooth experiences for international tourists.[3]

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