China's Visa-Free Policy Boosts Arrivals by Over 20% in H1 2026

Inbound Travel Rises as Policy Expands

China's international tourism sector is demonstrating robust growth, largely attributed to its expanding visa-free entry policies. In the first six months of 2026, the country recorded 22.91 million visits from foreign nationals, marking a 20.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

This rise reveals the direct impact of China’s visa-free initiatives, which accounted for 77.7 per cent of all foreign arrivals during this period. The policy's objective, as stated by China’s Foreign Ministry, is to foster people-to-people exchanges, which are considered foundational for cross-cultural understanding, economic interdependence, and peaceful diplomatic relations. The current visa-free programme is scheduled to operate until December 31, 2026.

Key Additions to Visa-Exemption Programme

Earlier this year, on February 17, 2026, China broadened its unilateral visa-exemption programme to include ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom, allowing them to travel to mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa. This expansion followed recent diplomatic engagements between Beijing and leaders from both countries.

For the United Kingdom, which views China as a significant tourist destination and a source market, removing travel restrictions is a positive development. Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics showed approximately 620,000 British citizens travelled to China in 2024.

Similarly, Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand stated that the updated visa-free policy simplifies travel, supports business exchanges, and strengthens bilateral ties.

Broader Scope and Visitor Data

The inclusion of Canada and the UK is part of a wider trend in China's efforts to open up its borders. The trial implementation of unilateral visa-free entry policies began on December 1, 2023, for citizens from Germany, France, Malaysia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy.

This initial phase proved successful in supporting the tourism industry's growth, leading Beijing to continue and expand the approach. China's visa-free access now covers 50 countries, comprising 35 from Europe, seven from Asia, six from the Americas, and two from Oceania.

According to the National Immigration Administration, China recorded 697 million inbound and outbound crossings in 2025, a 14.2 per cent increase year-on-year. International visitors accounted for over 82 million of these crossings in 2025, a 26.4 per cent rise from 2024, with more than 73 per cent benefiting from the visa-free programme.

Economic Impact and Global Travel Spending

The growth in China's tourism sector carries significant economic implications. U.N. Tourism reported that China regained its position as the top international tourism spender in 2023, allocating $196.5 billion.

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Economic Impact Research data for 2025 revealed that over 68 million international visitors entered China, marking a 15.5 per cent year-on-year increase, nearly triple the global growth rate of 5.4 per cent.

Concurrently, international visitor spending in China expanded by 10.5 per cent to $135 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and outperforming the global average growth of 3.2 per cent.

VisitBritain reported that the UK welcomed 463,000 visitors from China in 2024, generating £723.8 million, and forecasts Chinese visitor spending in the UK to reach £1.2 billion in 2026, with 20 per cent annual growth through 2030.

Outlook for Global Tourism

China's increasing role as both a source market and a destination is critical for the global tourism landscape. The expansion of visa-free travel and the subsequent rise in visitor numbers demonstrate a clear commitment to re-engaging with international travel post-pandemic.

This trend implies increased demand for travel services within China and heightened competition for outbound Chinese travellers globally.

The WTM Global Travel report estimates that the proportion of Chinese households with the financial capacity for international travel will approximately double between 2024 and 2033, adding more than 60 million households to the international travel market.

This growth will drive further shifts in global travel patterns and necessitate strategic responses from destinations and travel operators worldwide seeking to attract this expanding consumer base.