The newly added ports include Guangzhou, Hengqin in Zhuhai and Zhongshan, as well as the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge and West Kowloon Station on the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong High-Speed Rail, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said.
The new policy, which takes effect on Wednesday, will increase the total number of ports eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit from 60 to 65 across China, Xinhua reported.
Travelers from 55 countries who meet certain criteria can enter China through any of these ports in 24 provincial-level regions and stay in the country for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa before heading to a third destination, the NIA said.
This is one of 10 new policies announced by the NIA related to the administration of exit and entry into the country, to further facilitate travel for Chinese and foreign nationals.
A total of 10 international airports in Tianjin, Nanjing, Chongqing and other cities will be added to the list of ports that allow 24‑hour direct transit for foreign nationals without the need for border control procedures, according to the measures.
The NIA also announced that from November 20, foreign travelers to China will be able to fill out their entry cards online prior to arrival. They will also be able to choose to fill them on the spot using the electronic devices available at the checkpoints or opt for traditional paper entry cards.
The newly announced measures also include provisions that simplify travel for mainland Chinese residents visiting Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as Taiwanese residents traveling to the mainland.
On the same day, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that China will extend its unilateral visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, until December 31, 2026. The current visa-free policy for nationals of some of these countries is valid until December 31, 2025 before the extension.
China has also decided to include Sweden in the visa-free regime, and this decision will take effect from November 10, 2025 to December 31, 2026, said ministry spokesman Mao Ning.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
