Experts Say: China's Visa-Free Transit Policy Enhances Tourism and Business Opportunities
On Tuesday, China announced an update to its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for qualifying foreign travelers to 240 hours, or 10 days.
TroibNews 
On Tuesday, China announced an update to its visa-free transit policy, allowing eligible foreign travelers to stay for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, an increase from the previous limits of 72 to 144 hours. This initiative, intended to draw more international visitors, took effect immediately, as reported by the National Immigration Administration on its official website.
The revised policy is applicable to travelers from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, who are transiting through China to reach a third country or region. Those eligible can now enter China without a visa at any of the 60 designated ports across 24 provincial-level areas, as long as their stay does not surpass 240 hours within these locations.
Since July 2023, China has been actively refining its transit visa exemption policies. So far, the nation has established extensive visa-free agreements with 26 countries, unilaterally waived visa requirements for travelers from 38 nations, including France and Germany, and implemented transit visa exemptions for 54 countries. Furthermore, it has mutual visa-free agreements with 157 countries and regions across the globe.
According to the National Immigration Administration, from January to November 2024, there were 29.2 million foreign visits to China, marking an 86.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. Among these visits, 17.4 million were facilitated by visa-free entry, which reflects a 123.3 percent rise. The longstanding 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy has become especially popular, with a 132.9 percent year-on-year increase in such visits.
Experts have pointed out the broader implications of these changes. Chen Zhanming, vice dean of the School of Applied Economics at Renmin University of China, noted that the improved visa-free transit policy will enhance accessibility for foreigners visiting China for tourism, business, or family reasons. He stated, "the growing influx of international tourists will create more opportunities for China's tourism and other industries, injecting new momentum into its economic growth."
Ester Baiget, global president of Danish biotechnology firm Novonesis, also highlighted the practical importance of the visa-free policy. "Although it may seem like a small detail, it will greatly facilitate travel to China. With smoother mobility, our connections will strengthen, fostering closer relationships," she remarked.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
The revised policy is applicable to travelers from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, who are transiting through China to reach a third country or region. Those eligible can now enter China without a visa at any of the 60 designated ports across 24 provincial-level areas, as long as their stay does not surpass 240 hours within these locations.
Since July 2023, China has been actively refining its transit visa exemption policies. So far, the nation has established extensive visa-free agreements with 26 countries, unilaterally waived visa requirements for travelers from 38 nations, including France and Germany, and implemented transit visa exemptions for 54 countries. Furthermore, it has mutual visa-free agreements with 157 countries and regions across the globe.
According to the National Immigration Administration, from January to November 2024, there were 29.2 million foreign visits to China, marking an 86.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. Among these visits, 17.4 million were facilitated by visa-free entry, which reflects a 123.3 percent rise. The longstanding 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy has become especially popular, with a 132.9 percent year-on-year increase in such visits.
Experts have pointed out the broader implications of these changes. Chen Zhanming, vice dean of the School of Applied Economics at Renmin University of China, noted that the improved visa-free transit policy will enhance accessibility for foreigners visiting China for tourism, business, or family reasons. He stated, "the growing influx of international tourists will create more opportunities for China's tourism and other industries, injecting new momentum into its economic growth."
Ester Baiget, global president of Danish biotechnology firm Novonesis, also highlighted the practical importance of the visa-free policy. "Although it may seem like a small detail, it will greatly facilitate travel to China. With smoother mobility, our connections will strengthen, fostering closer relationships," she remarked.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
