Visa-Free Transit produces China inbound boom
China's new 72/144-hour visa free transit policy is producing a dramatic increase in numbers of overseas visitors to the country.
Under the transit policy, foreign nationals from 54 eligible countries can stay in China for up to 6 days visa-free, provided they:
- Hold a valid passport valid for not less than 3 months
- Have a connecting ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed airline seat and departure date
- Have submitted a completed Arrival/Departure Card
- Enter and exit through certain Chinese cities
- Have no record of illegal entry, exit, residence or employment in the past 5 years
Airports in participating Chinese cities have a Visa-Free Immigration Inspection counter where visitors can apply for the stay permit, which will be stamped on their passport indicating max length of stay. Those already having a visa for China are able to opt out of using it for a stay of up to 6 days.
Data from China's National Immigration Administration show that the number of foreign nationals arriving in China in 1Q2024 more than tripled vs. 1Q2023. And Boston-based statistics platform Meltwater reports that in 1Q2024 about 2,420 YouTube and TikTok videos with keywords like "China", "trip" or "travel" were published - 5 times as many as in Q2023.
