Canada Joins Germany, Brazil, US, India, And More Countries In Benefiting From Lower Travel Costs As China Cuts Visa Fees And Extends Fingerprint Exemption Until 2026: New Update You Need To Know

Published on December 31, 2025

Canada joins Germany, Brazil, the US, India, and more countries in benefiting from budget-friendly travel as China reduces visa fees and extends fingerprint exemption until 2026, offering travelers a chance to save significantly on travel costs. This extension, which was initially introduced in 2023, ensures that visa fees will remain 25% lower than the pre-2023 rates, while also maintaining the fingerprint exemption for short-term visas. The move is part of China’s ongoing efforts to make travel to the country more accessible and affordable, encouraging both tourism and business visits during a critical period of global recovery.

China has made a significant move to encourage international tourism by extending its reduced visa fees and fingerprint exemption policy until the end of 2026. This decision not only continues to ease travel expenses for foreign visitors but also strengthens China’s position as a budget-friendly destination for tourists worldwide. The extension provides travelers with more time to plan their visits while enjoying significant savings, which can make a substantial difference, especially for business travelers, frequent tourists, and those planning to visit China in the coming years.

This step aligns with China’s ongoing efforts to increase tourism, enhance connectivity, and simplify the visa application process. In this article, we’ll explore how the new measures will affect travelers from around the world, particularly from countries like Canada, the United States, Germany, Brazil, India, and more.

The Key Changes: Reduced Visa Fees and Fingerprint Exemption Extended

Since 2023, China has implemented lower visa fees for travelers applying for single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry visas. This reduction has been extended until December 31, 2026, benefiting citizens of all countries that require a visa to enter mainland China. The reduced fees are approximately 25% lower than the pre-2023 standard, offering substantial savings for those who plan to visit China frequently or for business purposes.

In addition to the lower fees, China has also extended its fingerprint exemption for short-term visas. For eligible travelers, this means that they will not be required to provide fingerprints when applying for a short-term Chinese visa (with stays of 180 days or less). This exemption applies to several types of visas, including tourist visas, business visas, family visit visas, and transit visas, simplifying the process even further.

Let’s take a deeper dive into how this affects travelers from different countries.

Countries Benefiting from Reduced Visa Fees

This new extension is good news for travelers from various countries, particularly those planning to visit China for tourism, business, or family visits. Here’s a look at the updated visa fee structure for several major countries:

Countries with Waived or Minimal Charges

Some countries receive full visa fee waivers or minimal charges under China’s new visa policy. Here’s a list of countries that benefit from this generous offer:

• Albania: Full visa fee waived
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Full visa fee waived
• Maldives: Full visa fee waived, express charges waived
• Micronesia: Full visa fee waived
• Pakistan: Full visa fee waived, express charges waived
• Serbia: HK$15 for single-entry visa

These countries enjoy a significant advantage, making travel to China even more affordable for their citizens. The full waiver and minimal charges ensure that these travelers can visit China without the added burden of high visa costs.

Countries with Significant Discounts

For many other nations, including major international markets, the visa fee reductions are significant, providing more affordable options for travelers planning trips to China. These reductions apply to both single-entry and multiple-entry visas, giving tourists and business travelers a chance to save on their trips.

Simplified Process for Short-Term Visas

One of the standout benefits of this extended policy is the fingerprint exemption for short-term visas. This exemption applies to tourist, business, family visit, and transit visas with stays of up to 180 days. Travelers from eligible countries do not need to provide fingerprints when applying for their visa, which simplifies the entire process. This is especially beneficial for short-term visitors who want to avoid the added step of providing biometric data, which can be a lengthy and sometimes inconvenient process.

The fingerprint exemption is part of China’s broader strategy to reduce the administrative burden on travelers and encourage more people to visit. By making the visa application process more efficient and less time-consuming, China aims to attract more international visitors while continuing to streamline its immigration procedures.

Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of 45 Countries

As part of a broader push to encourage tourism, China is maintaining its unilateral 30-day visa-free entry policy for citizens of 45 countries until December 31, 2026. This means that travelers from countries like France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and others can enter China without a visa for short stays of up to 30 days.

This visa-free policy is particularly beneficial for travelers who wish to visit China for business, tourism, or transit purposes. It eliminates the need for a visa altogether, making travel to China more seamless and accessible for citizens of participating countries.

The Impact on Tourism and Business Travel

China’s decision to extend the reduced visa fees and fingerprint exemptions reflects a larger strategy to boost both tourism and business travel. With reduced visa costs, travelers are more likely to plan trips to China, whether for leisure, work, or family purposes. The simplified visa application process, along with the extended fingerprint exemption, further encourages international visitors to explore the country.

For businesses, this policy extension offers an opportunity to foster stronger trade ties with China. With more affordable and streamlined visa processes, it becomes easier for companies to send executives, employees, and clients to China for meetings, conferences, and other business engagements.

Additionally, the extended visa-free entry for 45 countries is expected to drive increased foot traffic to key Chinese cities and regions, which could have positive effects on local economies, including hospitality, retail, and cultural industries. This policy reinforces China’s commitment to revitalizing its tourism sector and positioning itself as an attractive destination for global travelers.

Travel Tip: Consider Additional Service Fees

While the reduced visa fees are a significant cost-saving measure, it’s important to note that these fees apply only to the official visa fees charged by Chinese embassies and consulates. In many countries, visa applications are processed through visa application centers, which may charge additional service fees.

These service fees are not included in the discounted visa fees and remain unchanged. Travelers should keep these additional costs in mind when budgeting for their trip to China, as the service fees can add up depending on the country where the application is processed.

A Strategic Move to Reinvigorate Travel

China’s decision to extend the reduced visa fees and fingerprint exemption through 2026 is part of a broader effort to encourage travel, both for business and leisure. By making travel more affordable and simplifying the visa application process, China is positioning itself as a competitive destination for international visitors, especially in a post-pandemic world where travelers are increasingly seeking easier, more cost-effective options.

The extension of these measures aligns with China’s larger goals of stimulating economic growth, improving international relations, and increasing the number of global visitors. As countries like Canada, Germany, Brazil, the US, and India continue to benefit from these changes, it’s clear that China’s visa policies are evolving to meet the needs of today’s travelers.

With the extension of reduced visa fees and fingerprint exemptions until 2026, China is making travel more accessible and affordable for international visitors. This move benefits travelers from across the globe, including Canada, Germany, the United States, India, Brazil, and many more. The simplified visa application process, combined with visa-free entry for citizens of 45 countries, makes China a more attractive destination for business and leisure travelers alike.

Canada joins Germany, Brazil, US, India, and more countries in benefiting from budget-friendly travel as China reduces visa fees and extends fingerprint exemption until 2026, making travel more affordable and accessible for international visitors. This extension helps streamline the visa process and reduces costs, encouraging more people to visit China for tourism and business.

Whether you’re planning a business trip, a family visit, or a tourist adventure, the extended visa reductions are a welcome development. As China continues to open its doors to the world, the future of travel looks bright for both frequent and first-time visitors.