China’s State Council has given the green light to a sweeping plan to stimulate domestic spending during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). In addition to traditional consumer-market measures, the blueprint makes international mobility a centre-piece of its strategy to “expand inbound consumption.” Beijing says it will keep growing the list of countries whose citizens can enter China visa-free, streamline 24-/144-/240-hour transit-visa waivers, and make the paperwork for longer-stay visas less onerous. A dedicated section of the plan instructs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration to “refine” the existing transit-visa exemption so that more airports and land crossings can process travellers without visas, and to allow travellers to move beyond the handful of municipal-level “permitted areas” that currently apply. At the same time, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has been told to prioritise new point-to-point services to Europe, the United States and Belt and Road partner states, arguing that shorter journey times translate directly into higher visitor spending. For mobility managers the message is clear: China wants more high-value travellers on the ground. Companies relocating staff or rotating project teams can expect a gradual increase in visa-free nationalities over the next four years, along with additional direct long-haul capacity. The plan also calls for easier payment solutions for foreign visitors—an issue that has frustrated many business travellers who rely on overseas bank cards or mobile wallets—and promises “one-stop” processes for customs clearance, telecom SIM registration and hotel check-in. Analysts say the emphasis on mobility dovetails with Beijing’s effort to present China as an open market for services trade. “Making it simpler to enter, pay and move around the country is the fastest way to convert international interest into concrete spending,” notes Zhang Jian at the China Tourism Academy. In practice, companies should start factoring China back into their global assignment and meeting calendars, especially once new non-stop routes come online. The timeline for specific visa changes has not been published, but agencies have been told to deliver detailed implementation measures before the end of 2026. Multinationals are advised to monitor embassy announcements and CAAC route-approval bulletins for early indications of the next wave of facilitation steps.
Source: english.www.gov.cn
