- China welcomed 14.64 million foreign visitors in H1 2024, a 152.7% increase.
- Visa-free entries soared to 8.5 million, a 190% year-on-year rise.
- Expanded visa-free policies now include over a dozen European nations and Australia.
hina’s visa-free policy has led to a dramatic increase in foreign visitors, with 14.64 million arrivals in the first half of 2024, representing a 152.7% year-on-year rise. Visa-free entries alone accounted for over 8.5 million of these visits, reflecting a staggering 190% increase compared to the same period last year.
To attract more international visitors, China has expanded its visa-free policies to include over a dozen European nations and Australia, allowing their citizens to visit for up to 15 days for business, tourism, or family visits. Additionally, mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries and extended stay privileges for Singaporeans and Malaysians highlight China’s efforts to boost tourism and enhance international connectivity.
China Expands Visa-Free Access to Boost Tourism
China’s recent expansion of visa-free policies is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate its tourism sector. The country now offers visa-free entry to citizens from more than a dozen European countries and Australia, allowing visits for up to 15 days for business, tourism, or family purposes. This initiative is aimed at overcoming the economic challenges posed by the pandemic and stimulating domestic tourism.
The visa-free transit policy, which was expanded last November, now covers citizens from 54 countries, permitting up to 144 hours of visa-free stay in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. This policy also extends to cruise ship passengers, offering further exemptions and making China a more attractive destination for short-term visitors.
The National Immigration Administration reported a total of 287 million inbound and outbound trips in the first half of 2024, a 70.9% increase compared to the previous year. This figure includes significant travel activity from mainland residents as well as residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, indicating a robust recovery in travel movements within and around China.
To facilitate a smoother experience for international visitors, China has also eased restrictions on the use of domestic payment apps with foreign bank accounts or cards. The People’s Bank of China has increased the spending limits for foreign passport holders using mobile payment apps, significantly enhancing their ability to transact during their stay.
China’s proactive expansion of visa-free policies and improvements in visitor conveniences underscore its commitment to revitalizing the tourism sector and enhancing international travel experiences.
“To attract more international visitors, China has expanded its visa-free policies to include over a dozen European nations and Australia.”
