China recently announced on Tuesday (December 17) a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travellers to 240 hours, or 10 days, from the original 72-144 hours, as authorities aim to lure more foreign visitors.
The measure, which is effective immediately, was announced by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on its official WeChat account.
People from 54 countries including Russia, Brazil, the UK, the US, and Canada, “who transit from China to a third country (region), can enter China without a visa from any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces and stay in the specified area for no more than 240 hours,” it said.
Enhanced access for Asian travellers
The list of eligible countries also includes Asian regions such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. These nations are key partners in China’s trade and tourism efforts. By extending the visa-free transit policy to travellers from these regions, China aims to deepen regional connectivity and foster stronger cultural and economic exchanges with its neighbours.
Broader Visa-free initiatives
This policy is part of a series of measures taken by China to rejuvenate its tourism industry and enhance global mobility following the reopening of its borders in 2023 after three years of strict COVID-19 restrictions. In November, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expanded the country’s visa-free policy to include citizens from 38 nations, including European countries like Spain and the Netherlands, as well as Asian countries like Brunei and the Philippines. Travellers from these countries can stay in China for up to 30 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, and cultural exchanges.
Foreigners made 8.2 million inbound trips to China, up 48.8% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024. More than half of these were facilitated by the visa-free policy, up 78.6% year-on-year, the NIA said in October. – Reuters
