China Visa Update — 27 April 2026

visa • 27 April 2026

China's visa-free policies are delivering record results for 2026, with **foreign arrivals up 34 percent** in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, driven by expanded access and streamlined processing.[1][5] ## Expanded Visa-Free Access **50 countries** now enjoy unilateral 30-day visa-free entry to China, up from 48 at the end of 2025.[1][5] Additionally, China has implemented **240-hour transit visa-free arrangements** for 55 countries, providing flexible options for travellers making connections through Chinese airports.[5] According to China Daily, nearly 30 percent more foreigners entered China visa-free in Q1 2026 compared to the previous year, with over 70 percent of all foreign arrivals at Beijing ports using visa-free or temporary entry permit schemes.[2][5] ## Streamlined Airport Processing Beijing Capital and Daxing airports have introduced **one-stop integrated service desks** that combine visa waiver issuance, on-site frontier inspections, and multilingual assistance—with average clearance times of just eight minutes during off-peak periods.[1] The airports have also deployed roaming liaison teams in arrival corridors to explain visa-free policies and assist first-time visitors with mobile payment app activation, which requires real-name verification for transactions in China.[1] ## Simplified Visa Applications From December 2025 through December 2026, **fingerprint collection has been waived** for all short-term visa applicants staying 180 days or less, streamlining the application process at Chinese visa centres.[3] This exemption applies to tourist visas and other short-term categories, though longer-term residence permits still require fingerprints as per regulations.[3]

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