China expands visa-free entry - Is Pakistan among the 50 countries?

China has introduced the new measures as part of its strategy to open the country further to the world. Officials say the plan aims to remove barriers that foreign visitors may face when entering China. The move is expected to attract more tourists, business travellers and students.

According to China’s Ministry of Public Security, the reforms are designed to make the country more accessible for international travellers. The government wants to simplify travel for tourists, business visitors and other foreign nationals.

According to the state-run “Xinhua” news agency, authorities are also working to improve visa-free transit and entry rules. These changes are expected to make travelling to China faster and more convenient.

Under the new plan, China will promote the use of digital travel documents, including e-passports and other electronic permits. This will reduce paperwork and make the travel process easier for visitors.

The government will also introduce more smart border channels at immigration checkpoints. Eligible travellers will be able to complete immigration procedures more quickly through these digital systems.

China also plans to move visa, residence permit and other immigration services completely online. Officials believe this will make applications faster, simpler and more efficient.

The latest announcement is part of China’s broader effort to improve travel facilities for foreign visitors. Authorities say visa policies, residence rules and the digital immigration system will continue to be upgraded in the future.

At present, citizens of 50 countries can enter China without a visa under its unilateral visa-free policy. Travellers from 55 countries can also use the 240-hour visa-free transit facility through 65 designated entry points.

China has recorded a strong increase in the number of foreign visitors in recent months. During the summer season, airports and border crossings in Beijing have become much busier with tourists, business travellers and students.

Official figures show that around 23 million foreign visitors travelled to China during the first six months of 2026. This was 20.4 percent higher than the same period last year.

Officials say the rise in visitor numbers is mainly the result of relaxed visa and entry policies. Easier travel rules have encouraged more people to choose China as a destination.

The largest number of foreign visitors came from South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Japan, Mongolia and Australia. These countries continue to be among China’s biggest sources of international travellers.

The Chinese government says the new measures are intended to strengthen international connections. Officials also believe the reforms will make travelling to China easier, faster and more efficient for visitors from around the world.

China is making travel simpler to attract more international visitors and strengthen global ties. If more countries are added to the visa-free list, tourism, business and education exchanges could grow even further.

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