Annual report from the National Immigration Administration of China

China Extends Visa-Free Transit to 240 Hours for 54 Countries, Adding 21 Ports and Reporting 29.2 Million Entries

Dec 17, 2024, 07:05 AM

On December 17, 2024, China announced a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, allowing eligible foreign travelers from 54 countries, including the United States, to stay for up to 240 hours (10 days). This extension from the previous limits of 72 and 144 hours is part of China's efforts to boost international tourism and enhance cultural exchanges. The new policy will also introduce 21 additional ports of entry, expanding the areas where travelers can stay. In the first 11 months of 2024, China recorded 29.218 million foreign entries, an increase of 86.2% year-on-year, with 17.446 million of those entries made under visa-free policies, marking a 123.3% increase from the previous year. The National Immigration Administration indicated that this move aims to attract more international visitors and further open up the country.