China Welcomes Around 9 Million Visa-Free Visitors in Third Quarter
The number of visa-free arrivals in China rose 24.1% year-on-year to around 9 million in the third quarter, accounting for 77.5% of foreign entries.
The number of visa-free arrivals in China rose by 24.1% year-on-year to around 9 million in the third quarter of 2026, according to Xinhua News Agency.
This category represented 77.5% of total foreign entries, while foreign border crossings reached 23.27 million.
China's plan for the 2026-2030 period aims to reach 190 million inbound visits, and over $150 billion in annual spending by inbound visitors by 2030.
The increase reflects the expansion of visa-free entry policies, which have become a key tool for attracting tourists and business travelers to the Chinese market.
What do these terms mean?
Visa-free entry: Allowing citizens of specific countries to enter another country without a prior visa for a specified period.
Inbound tourism: The number of foreign visitors arriving in a country over a period of time.
Border crossings: The total movement of travelers entering and exiting through border ports.
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