China: Visa-free transit stays extended to 10 days to boost tourism

In a move to boost tourism, China has announced a significant expansion of its visa-free transit policy. As per the latest development, the latest transit program will allow eligible travellers to extend their permitted stay to 240 hours, or 10 days, up from the previous 72-144 hours.
Under the revised policy, travellers from 54 countries, such as Russia, Brazil, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, can transit through China without a visa when heading to a third destination. The program is available at 60 ports across 24 provinces, as long as visitors stay within designated regions. For example, those arriving in Shanghai are permitted to explore the extended Shanghai area, which includes Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. However, Tibet still requires additional permits for foreign visitors.

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This policy adjustment aligns with China’s broader strategy to boost inbound tourism following its border reopening in 2023 after three years of strict COVID-19 measures. Recent data indicates that foreign visitor arrivals to China have significantly increased. The visa-free transit program, which witnessed a 78.6% growth in its own right, permitted more than half of the 8.2 million international visitors reported in the third quarter of 2024, a 48.8% year-over-year increase.

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Reportedly, as of December 1, Shenzhen residents are now eligible to apply for multiple-entry visas to Hong Kong. This overturns earlier limitations that only allowed for one excursion every week. The revised regulation reinstates a mechanism that allowed for unlimited visits and was first put into place in 2009. As per the reports, protests over parallel trading, in which mainland consumers bought items in Hong Kong to resell for a profit, prompted the limitations. Officials anticipate that the policy's reinstatement will boost travel and business between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

China continues to be selective with its wider visa exemptions, although its visa-free policies have increased foreign arrivals. For a maximum of 30 days, citizens of 38 nations—including France, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan, and Switzerland—can come without a visa. Interestingly, the United States is not on this list, despite the fact that since 2023, the conditions for applying for a visa have been streamlined for Americans.

In addition to changing visas, China is taking other steps to improve the traveller experience. In an attempt to make the nation a more accessible and desirable tourism destination for people from across the world, efforts are being made to streamline travel procedures, upgrade infrastructure, and address issues encountered by international tourists.