China’s continuously optimized visa waiver and transit policies are delivering measurable results, driving a sharp rise in cross-border travel and deepening people-to-people exchanges with the global community. The growing openness reflects the country’s broader push to enhance international connectivity and strengthen economic and cultural ties.
As of Nov. 23, ports in the national capital Beijing recorded 19.35 million inbound and outbound travelers, representing an 18 percent year-on-year increase. The growth among foreign nationals has been particularly striking. Entries and exits by foreign travelers reached 5.78 million, marking a robust increase of more than 35 percent compared with the same period last year. Notably, approximately 60 percent of these foreign visitors benefited from China’s visa exemption policies or temporary entry permit arrangements.
Nationwide Surge in Travel
The impact of these policies is visible across the country. In Xiamen, a key coastal city in east China’s Fujian Province, inbound and outbound passenger numbers exceeded 5.4 million by Nov. 23. Of these, over 960,000 were foreign nationals — a record high for the period. According to Shen Wenjuan, head of the frontier inspection department at the Gaoqi frontier inspection station, around 60 percent of foreign travelers at Xiamen port entered under visa waiver policies.
New travel models are also contributing to the surge. “Visa-free plus cruise” packages have gained popularity, combining maritime tourism with simplified entry procedures. These flexible options have made the city increasingly attractive to international visitors seeking both convenience and cultural experiences.
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The travel boom is not limited to coastal hubs. Inland cities are also experiencing rising international engagement. Datong, a historic city in north China’s Shanxi Province, recorded annual inbound and outbound passenger throughput exceeding 50,000 for the first time. The launch of new international air routes to destinations such as Moscow and Seoul has significantly enhanced the city’s global connectivity and tourism prospects.
Digital Innovation Enhances Efficiency
Complementing policy expansion, China has introduced technological upgrades to improve the traveler experience. Since Nov. 20, a newly launched online arrival card system allows passengers to complete entry procedures before boarding their flights. Travelers can simply present a QR code upon arrival, significantly reducing processing time at immigration counters.
Marcia Raquel, a Portuguese traveler arriving at Beijing Daxing International Airport, praised the system’s efficiency. “Filling out the arrival card online before departure and showing the QR code at immigration saves significant time — the smart port system is remarkably efficient,” she said.
Such digital solutions reflect China’s broader emphasis on smart border management, aimed at ensuring both security and convenience.
Expanding the Visa-Free “Circle of Friends”
China’s visa-free journey began with a significant step on Dec. 1, 2023, when the country launched unilateral visa-free trials for ordinary passport holders from six nations: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. The initiative was subsequently expanded to include additional countries and extended in duration multiple times.
Building on these early successes, China has now established mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries. Additionally, nationals from 48 countries are eligible for unilateral visa-free entry. This expanding visa-free “circle of friends” now stretches from Europe to Latin America and the Middle East, demonstrating China’s increasing engagement across diverse regions.
Further facilitating global mobility, the country has strengthened its transit visa-free framework. Since Nov. 5, ten additional airports have been added to the list of 24-hour direct transit ports exempt from border inspection checks. As a result, the total number of entry ports covered under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy has risen to 65, significantly streamlining international travel and boosting short-term visits.
Two-Way Travel Momentum
The facilitative measures are reshaping not only inbound tourism but also outbound flows. According to the National Immigration Administration, in the third quarter of 2025, Chinese mainland residents accounted for 89.37 million of the 178 million inbound and outbound passenger trips recorded nationwide. The data highlights a dynamic two-way flow of travelers, underscoring the country’s reintegration into global mobility networks.
The convergence of expanded visa exemptions, enhanced transit policies, new international routes and digital border systems signals a transformative phase in China’s global interactions. By lowering administrative barriers and improving procedural efficiency, the country is positioning itself as both an accessible destination and a globally connected travel hub.
As international exchanges continue to intensify, China’s evolving visa policies are likely to remain a cornerstone of its broader strategy to foster openness, economic vitality, and deeper cultural engagement with the world.
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