Within the framework of a national strategy aimed at reviving inbound tourism and stimulating spending by foreign visitors, China formalizes a new series of measures regarding the entry of international travelers.
The Ministry of Commerce, in coordination with eight other administrations, including Foreign Affairs and the National Migration Administration, today published a set of “policy measures aimed at promoting the export of travel services and increasing consumption by foreign visitors”.
This plan falls directly into the guidelines of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, with the aim of strengthening the country’s international attractiveness and supporting the development of trade in services.
It is in this context that Beijing mentions, for the first time explicitly, the implementation of an electronic visa system.
The Chinese authorities indicate, in fact, that they are preparing to «study the implementation of the electronic visa, test the online application system and shorten processing times».
Until now, China was an exception among major international destinations. While many countries have generalized electronic visas (e-Visa) or electronic travel authorizations (ETA), such as India, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom and soon Europe, China continues to rely mostly on a consular visa system that involves the presentation of physical files through authorized centers.
The introduction of an e-Visa would therefore represent a major structural change, capable of considerably simplifying procedures for international travelers subject to this obligation.
At the moment, the Chinese authorities have not communicated a calendar or specific implementation modalities, which suggests that the project is still in the study and experimentation phase.
Electronic visa for China: an experiment already underway with the “Port e-Visa”
If China does not yet have a national e-Visa accessible to the general public, since 2024 it has initiated a first form of digitalization through a specific device: the port electronic visa, often called «Port e-Visa».
Deployed especially in Shanghai, this system is based on fully digital logic. Unlike a traditional visa, no label is placed on the passport: the information is issued in electronic format, and the traveler can enter the territory by presenting their passport along with the corresponding digital document.
The application is initiated online by a company or institution established in China, through specific administrative platforms, and is subsequently validated by local authorities before the electronic document is issued.
This device currently allows the issuance of several categories of visas, in particular for commercial, visit, work or personal reasons. However, it is still regulated: its validity is limited, generally a single entry, for a period of 15 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days and an entry point set in Shanghai, although exit can be made through other authorized border posts.
Beyond its technical characteristics, the “Port e-Visa” constitutes above all a first stage in the digital transformation of Chinese migration policy. By eliminating paper support, digitizing the application procedure and simplifying certain procedures, it anticipates the evolutions that Beijing now seems to be considering on a larger scale.
However, in its current state, this system remains limited in both its access and scope. It is aimed mainly at profiles invited by local entities and does not constitute an equivalent of a tourist e-Visa open to all travelers.
Visa exemption in China, a policy destined to expand
In parallel with this reflection on the electronic visa, China confirms its willingness to continue expanding its visa exemption policies.
The Chinese authorities today mention their intention to enlarge «orderly» the list of countries eligible for the unilateral visa waiver policyin line with the decisions taken in recent months to facilitate short-term stays. These measures also contemplate “continuously optimizing the visa exemption policy for transit”, a mechanism already widely used by numerous travelers.
This strategy has already materialized in the opening of visa exemption to numerous countries, including several European ones, allowing their nationals to travel to China without a visa for stays limited to 30 days, for tourist, professional or family purposes.
The following 48 countries and territories currently benefit from this unilateral policy until December 31, 2026, while Russia has a specific timetable set for September 14, 2026:
- Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, South Korea, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Netherlands, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and Uruguay.
In line with this modernization, the Chinese authorities also intend to reinforce the digitalization of border procedures promoting online completion of the arrival card for foreign travelers.
This orientation is part of an initiative that began on November 20 with the introduction of the digital arrival card. Today’s communication highlights the authorities’ willingness to generalize its use and fully integrate it into the journey of international travelers.
In practice, this system allows travelers to complete this procedure online up to 90 days before their arrival in China, entering their personal data and the details of their stay.
Once completed, the card can be presented in electronic format, which facilitates control operations. The authorities now intend to massively promote this method, which should progressively become the norm at the country’s main entry points.
However, alternative solutions are maintained to accompany the transition phase. Travelers can continue to complete their arrival card on site, especially through connected terminals installed at main entry points or by scanning a QR code. A paper version is also temporarily maintained to guarantee the accessibility of the system to all passengers.
The plan presented this March 20 by Beijing is not limited to visa issues or entry formalities, but rather covers the entire experience of foreign visitors more broadly.
The authorities aim, in particular, to structure an authentic national tourism brand, articulated around concepts such as “Hello! China”, “Shop in China”, “Study in China” or “Travel in China”, and develop a centralized information platform aimed at international travelers.
The tourism offer must also evolve towards more integrated formats, which combine transport, accommodation, visits and consumption, with special attention to multi-destination trips and low seasons, in order to better distribute flows.
At the same time, the authorities highlight the improvement of services in foreign languages, the modernization of hospitality infrastructure and greater use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to develop more connected tourism.
Likewise, the aim is to facilitate the visitor experience in aspects such as payments, VAT refunds, connectivity or access to everyday services, often perceived as points of friction by foreign travelers.
Finally, special attention is paid to large international events, whether sporting, cultural or commercial, with the implementation of simplified entry procedures and specific devices to welcome participants and spectators in optimal conditions.
