Published by ChinaMNC · Linjiang

Jilin's 2026 Service Consumption Plan: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

Jilin province has issued new measures to boost service consumption, including support for tourism, elderly care, and domestic services. For foreign founders, these policies signal opportunities in specific sectors and may affect business registration and operations in the province.

Jilin's 2026 Service Consumption Plan: Opportunities for Foreign Founders

The Jilin Provincial Government has released its 2026 measures to accelerate the cultivation of new growth points in service consumption. While the document focuses on domestic consumption, it outlines sector-specific support that could create opportunities for foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) and affect how companies in these sectors register and operate in Jilin. Below is a practical summary for international founders.

Key Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Sector focus: The plan targets transportation services (especially tourism-related rail and water transport), domestic services, elderly care, and health/wellness services. Foreign founders considering these sectors should note the emphasis on digitalization, brand development, and public-private partnerships.
• Registration implications: The measures encourage chain operations, commercial franchising, and the transformation of domestic service companies from intermediary to employee-based models. This may affect the business scope and licensing requirements for FIEs in these fields.
• Government support: The plan mentions vocational training subsidies, support for high-level training bases, and pilot programs for elderly care. Foreign companies may be eligible for similar support if they meet criteria, but specific eligibility should be verified with local authorities.
• Compliance focus: The document references the Ministry of Commerce's "Domestic Service Credit Check" platform and the promotion of "Home Service Certificates." FIEs in domestic services should be aware of these compliance tools.

Detailed Measures and What They Mean for Your China Company

1. Transportation Services: Tourism Integration

Jilin plans to enhance rail tourism by operating themed cultural trains and snow-and-ice tourist trains, including brands like "Longjing" and "Changbaishan." In 2026, the province aims to operate 95 tourist trains, a 5.5% year-on-year increase. The plan also includes age-friendly renovations for tourist trains, buffet services, and the exploration of setting up ice-and-snow cultural experience zones and local specialty product display areas on trains. Waterway tourism will be developed, with a focus on winter rime and border river routes, and support for upgrading tourist vessels to new energy.

For foreign founders: If you are considering investing in tourism-related transportation, such as operating tourist trains or vessels, you may need to navigate China's foreign investment negative list for transportation services. The encouragement of new energy vessel upgrades could open opportunities for foreign technology providers. However, note that railway operations are heavily regulated and typically require Chinese state-owned participation. Waterway tourism may be more accessible, but requires permits from transportation and maritime authorities.

2. Domestic Services: Digitalization and Brand Building

The plan supports the digital, brand-oriented, and large-scale development of domestic service enterprises. It encourages chain operations and commercial franchising, and supports the transformation of leading enterprises from intermediary to employee-based models. The government will promote the Ministry of Commerce's "Domestic Service Credit Check" platform and the "Home Service Certificate." Support includes building high-level vocational training bases, with subsidies up to RMB 300,000 for provincial-level domestic service training bases. In 2026, the province aims to provide vocational skills training to 15,000 domestic workers.

For foreign founders: Domestic services (housekeeping, cleaning, childcare, elderly care) are generally open to foreign investment, but may require specific licenses. The push for employee-based models means higher labor compliance requirements. If you establish a domestic service company, you may need to register with local commerce authorities and comply with platform regulations. The training subsidies are likely available to domestic companies; foreign-invested enterprises may be eligible if they meet the criteria, but this should be confirmed with the Jilin Provincial Department of Commerce.

3. Elderly Care and Silver Economy

Jilin aims to develop its "silver economy" by leveraging its climate and ecological resources. Measures include pilot projects for county-level residential elderly care, integrated Chinese medicine and leisure for seniors, and home care combined with elderly wellness. The plan sets targets: in 2026, complete age-friendly renovations for 6,000 homes of disadvantaged elderly (subsidy standard raised to RMB 3,000 per household), and recognize at least 10 brand enterprises in the silver economy. It also supports chain and group development of leading elderly care enterprises, and encourages social forces to invest in high-end wellness communities and residential wellness bases.

For foreign founders: Elderly care services are a encouraged sector for foreign investment, but require registration with civil affairs authorities and compliance with elderly care standards. The plan's support for social investment in high-end wellness communities may create opportunities for foreign operators with expertise in senior living. However, foreign ownership in elderly care institutions may be subject to local regulations; in many cases, wholly foreign-owned elderly care institutions are permitted, but require specific licenses. The subsidies for home renovations are likely for domestic residents, not businesses, but brand recognition programs could benefit FIEs.

4. Health and Wellness Services

The plan promotes the establishment of geriatric departments in secondary and higher-level hospitals and traditional Chinese medicine hospitals. It supports building TCM wellness demonstration bases in Changbaishan and Tonghua, and encourages social forces to invest in high-end wellness communities and residential wellness bases, focusing on summer retreat, hot spring, and forest wellness brands. It also calls for strengthening training for elderly care and wellness talent, with support for vocational colleges to add relevant majors.

For foreign founders: Health and wellness services, particularly TCM hospitals and wellness centers, have specific restrictions on foreign investment. While wholly foreign-owned hospitals are allowed in some pilot free trade zones, Jilin may have its own rules. Investing in wellness communities (real estate + services) may require separate approvals for real estate and healthcare. The emphasis on talent training could facilitate partnerships with vocational colleges, but foreign entities typically need to form joint ventures with Chinese educational institutions.

Registration and Compliance Considerations

Foreign founders looking to establish a presence in Jilin should consider the following:

• Entity choice: A wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) is common for service sectors, but some sectors (e.g., healthcare, education) may require a joint venture with a Chinese partner. Check the Negative List for Foreign Investment Access.
• Registered capital: No general minimum for most service companies, but specific sectors (e.g., elderly care institutions) may have capital requirements. Consult local authorities.
• Licenses: Domestic services may require a business service license; elderly care requires registration with civil affairs; healthcare requires health commission approval; transportation requires transport bureau permits.
• Tax: Standard corporate income tax rate is 25%; small low-profit enterprises may enjoy preferential rates. VAT applies to services.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to labor laws, especially if transitioning to employee-based models. Use official platforms like the Domestic Service Credit Check for transparency.

Next Steps

While the plan provides sector-specific support, foreign founders should verify eligibility and requirements with local authorities in Jilin. The measures indicate a welcoming environment for service sector investment, but navigating registration and licensing requires local expertise.

Call to Action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.