China's transit visa-free policy has been comprehensively relaxed and optimized.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) issued an announcement on December 7, 2024, fully relaxing and optimizing the visa-free transit policy effective immediately. The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit in China has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Meanwhile, 21 new ports of entry and exit have been designated for visa-free transit travelers, and the allowed activity areas for such visitors have been further expanded. Eligible individuals from 54 countries including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada who transit through China to a third country (region) can enter China visa-free via any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), and stay and move within the designated areas for no more than 240 hours.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced today that it will fully relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy, which is effective immediately. The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Additionally, 21 ports of entry and exit have been added for visa-free transit individuals, further expanding the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers. Individuals from 54 eligible countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada, traveling from China to a third country (region), can enter visa-free through any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), and stay within the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers for no more than 240 hours.

The 21 newly added ports under the relaxed and optimized visa-free transit policy include: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport Port in Shanxi, Sunan Shuofang International Airport Port and Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport Port in Jiangsu, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport Port and Yiwu International Airport Port in Zhejiang, Hefei Xinqiao International Airport Port and Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Port in Anhui, Fuzhou Changle International Airport Port, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport Port and Wuyishan International Airport Port in Fujian, Nanchang Changbei International Airport Port in Jiangxi, Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport Port, Yantai Penglai International Airport Port and Weihai Dashuipo International Airport Port in Shandong, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport Port in Hunan, Nanning Wuxu International Airport Port and Beihai Fucheng International Airport Port in Guangxi, Haikou Meilan International Airport Port and Sanya Phoenix International Airport Port in Hainan, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Port in Sichuan, Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport Port in Guizhou. The number of applicable open ports has increased from the original 39 to 60.

The 21 newly added ports for the visa-free transit policy are Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in Shanxi Province, Su'nan Shuofang International Airport and Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport in Jiangsu Province, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport and Yiwu Airport in Zhejiang Province, Hefei Xinqiao International Airport and Huangshan Tunxi International Airport in Anhui Province, Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, and Wuyishan Airport in Fujian Province, Nanchang Changbei International Airport in Jiangxi Province, Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, Yantai Penglai International Airport, and Weihai Dashuipo International Airport in Shandong Province, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in Hunan Province, Nanning Wuxu International Airport and Beihai Fucheng Airport in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Hainan Province, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan Province, and Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport in Guizhou Province. The number of opened ports has increased from the original 39 to 60.

The fully relaxed and optimized 240-hour visa-free transit policy has further expanded the allowed activity areas. The number of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) covered by the policy has increased from the original 19, namely Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan and Shaanxi, to 24, with 5 new provinces including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan and Guizhou added. Among the 5 newly added provinces, the entire territory of Anhui, Hainan and Guizhou is designated as the allowed activity area for visa-free transit travelers. In Shanxi Province, the allowed activity area covers Taiyuan and Datong, and in Jiangxi Province, it covers Nanchang and Jingdezhen. The allowed activity areas of Fujian, Hubei and Shaanxi have been expanded to cover the entire respective provinces, and the allowed activity area of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been expanded to the administrative regions of 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi and Laibin. Foreign nationals entering China through the visa-free transit policy can travel across provinces within the allowed activity areas of the above 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).

The fully relaxed and optimized 240-hour visa-free transit policy has further expanded the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers. The number of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) that can be visited under this policy has increased from the original 19 (Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, Heilongjiang Province, Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Shandong Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, and Shaanxi Province) to 24 (with Shanxi Province, Anhui Province, Jiangxi Province, Hainan Province, and Guizhou Province added to the list). In the newly added five provinces, the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers in Anhui Province, Hainan Province, and Guizhou Province include the entire province. In Shanxi Province, the areas are limited to Taiyuan and Datong, and in Jiangxi Province, the areas cover Nanchang and Jingdezhen. The areas in Fujian Province, Hubei Province, and Shaanxi Province are expanded to the entire respective provinces, and in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the area expands to the administrative regions of Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin. Foreign nationals entering China through the visa-free transit policy can make cross-province travels within the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers in these 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).

Relevant official from the National Immigration Administration introduced that the relaxation and optimization of the visa-free transit policy this time is an important measure for the NIA to earnestly study and implement the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, proactively serve and promote high-level opening-up, and facilitate the travel of Chinese and foreign personnel. It is conducive to accelerating the cross-border flow of personnel, promoting foreign exchanges and cooperation, and injecting new impetus into high-quality economic and social development. In the next step, the NIA will continue to further promote the institutional opening-up of immigration administration, continuously optimize and improve immigration and exit-entry facilitation policies, keep enhancing the convenience for foreign nationals to study, work and live in China, and welcome more foreign friends to visit China and experience the beauty of China in the new era firsthand.

 According to an NIA official, the recent relaxation and optimization of the visa-free transit policy is a significant step taken by NIA in line with its commitment to thoroughly learning and implementing the instructions from the Central Economic Work Conference, aiming to proactively serve and promote a high-standard opening up while facilitating the exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals. This initiative is beneficial for accelerating cross-border flows of people, promoting international communication and cooperation, and injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of the economy and society. Going forward, the NIA will continue to deepen the institutional openness of immigration management, continually optimize and improve the policies facilitating entry and exit for immigrants, and enhance the convenience for foreign nationals to study, work, and live in China. NIA invites more foreign friends to come to China and experience the beauty of the country in this new era firsthand.

 Source: National Immigration Administration