China Visa-Free Entries Reach 8.992 Million in Third Quarter, Up 24.1%

Foreign nationals made 8.992 million visa-free entries into China in the third quarter of 2026, a rise of 24.1 percent year-on-year, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). Those entries accounted for 77.5 percent of all foreign arrivals in the quarter, as total entries by foreign nationals reached 11.601 million, up 15.6 percent year-on-year.

Key facts

• Visa-free entries by foreign nationals in Q3 2026: 8.992 million, up 24.1 percent year-on-year
• Total foreign entries in Q3 2026: 11.601 million, up 15.6 percent year-on-year
• Visa-free share of foreign entries in the quarter: 77.5 percent
• Top source countries in Q3: Russia, South Korea and Vietnam; the top 10 accounted for 63.9 percent of foreign arrivals
• On 20 August, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added to China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy and Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy

Which visa-free schemes were expanded?

On 20 August, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added to the list of countries eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy and for Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy. That brought the total number of eligible countries to 57 for the transit policy and 61 for the Hainan policy.

Official figures published alongside the quarterly data also show that 77.7 percent of foreign visitors entering China in the first half of the year used visa-free entry policies.

Where are visitors coming from?

Russia, South Korea and Vietnam were the top three source countries for foreign visitors to China in the third quarter, according to the NIA. The 10 largest source countries together accounted for 63.9 percent of all foreign arrivals.

Trip.com data cited by Xinhua's Globe magazine showed summer bookings by Brazilian travellers rose 358.52 percent year-on-year, while bookings by Swiss travellers increased 234.73 percent. Zhangjiajie moved from 13th to seventh place among Chinese cities receiving inbound travellers on the platform.

What has changed for shoppers claiming tax refunds?

A notice issued by six government departments in May set out changes to departure tax refunds. From 1 July, refund applications involving sales of less than 10,000 yuan became subject to random physical inspections, while applications of 10,000 yuan or more remain subject to individual inspections. The measures also enabled paperless processing across the refund process.

The notice promoted cross-regional recognition of "instant refund" services, allowing travellers who receive an advance refund in one location to complete departure procedures at another eligible port, and standardised the departure deadline for the service at 28 days.

In July, JD.com said eligible travellers shopping in Beijing could use its Chinese- or English-language app interface, link overseas bank cards and submit tax refund information online, with purchases delivered to hotels or designated addresses within Beijing.

In the first half of 2026, the number of overseas travellers obtaining departure tax refunds rose 366 percent year-on-year, while sales of eligible goods and the total value of refunds both grew 69 percent, according to the State Taxation Administration.

What this means for travellers

Travellers from the 57 countries eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, and the 61 countries covered by Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy, can use those schemes when planning a trip. Kyrgyzstan and Vietnamese nationals became eligible on 20 August.

Travellers planning to claim a departure tax refund should note the 1 July inspection rules and the standardised 28-day departure deadline for instant refund services, and check whether advance refunds can be completed at a different eligible port.