China to Expand Unilateral Visa-Free Countries Scope

The notice highlights measures to support the accelerated development of international consumption center cities in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing (referred to as the relevant cities). These cities aim to create a globally attractive consumption environment, expand domestic demand comprehensively, and enhance high-level openness to the outside world. The policy outlines eight specific measures.
Among these, the notice emphasizes optimizing entry policies and consumption environments. It includes expanding the scope of visa-free entry for certain countries in an orderly manner, improving the effectiveness of the visa exemption policy for foreign nationals in transit, and promoting coordinated implementation of transit visa exemptions in the relevant cities. The notice also calls for the optimization of entry clearance procedures for foreign nationals, offering a range of services at entry points, including service guides, communication services, foreign currency exchange, and mobile payment options. Additionally, it encourages the relevant cities to add more direct international flights.
Furthermore, the notice aims to improve multi-level and diversified payment services, encouraging more merchants to accept overseas bank cards and supporting the use of more foreign electronic wallets within China. Efforts will also be made to establish international consumption clusters and inbound-friendly shopping districts. The plan also includes enhancing multilingual signage and guidance facilities in public areas and setting up a foreign national service hotline.