# China visa-free policy expansion and tourism growth

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-visa-free-policy-expansion-and-tourism-growth
> Updated: 2026-09-10T07:25:23.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

China has implemented expanded visa-free policies to facilitate international travel and tourism. In late August 2026, the National Immigration Administration expanded visa-free transit for Vietnamese citizens, allowing for a 240-hour (10-day) stay at 65 designated ports of entry for those with confirmed connecting flights. Additionally, Vietnamese travelers gained eligibility for 30-day visa-free stays in Hainan province.

Following these policy shifts, data from the first eight months of 2026 indicated a significant surge in international visitors. Foreign border crossings reached approximately 61.29 million, a 19.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. Visa-free arrangements accounted for 23.72 million entries, representing 77.6 percent of total entries during this period.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: China sees surge in international visitors amid visa-free expansion

China's international border crossings rose 19.5 percent to 61.29 million in the first eight months of 2026, driven by expanded visa-free entry policies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-sees-surge-in-international-visitors-amid-visa-free-expansion

### 2026-08-24: China expands visa-free transit for Vietnamese citizens

China has implemented a 240-hour visa-free transit policy and a 30-day visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens in Hainan, aimed at boosting tourism and travel convenience.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gia-lai-reports-nearly-5000-dengue-fever-cases

---
Cite as: China visa-free policy expansion and tourism growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-visa-free-policy-expansion-and-tourism-growth