China Extends Visa-Free Transit to 240 Hours for 54 Countries, Adds 21 New Ports to 60 Total Ports

Dec 17, 2024, 09:11 AM

On December 17, 2024, China announced a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the maximum stay for eligible foreign travelers from 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days. This policy change applies to passport holders from 54 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Canada. The National Immigration Administration reported that this update aims to boost tourism and enhance international exchanges. Additionally, 21 new ports of entry have been added, expanding the total to 60 ports across 24 provinces where travelers can enter and exit China. This move comes as part of China's broader strategy to attract more foreign visitors, following a substantial increase in foreign entries, with 29.2 million foreigners recorded entering the mainland from January to November 2024, marking an 86.2% year-over-year increase. Among these, 17.4 million entries were made under visa-free policies, representing a 123.3% increase compared to the previous year.