In a feature published on 26 November, Travel and Tour World highlights how China’s gradual expansion of its 240-hour visa-free transit scheme and the addition of 10 new transit airports have re-positioned the Mainland as a preferred Asia stop-over. The article reprises National Immigration Administration (NIA) figures of 65 eligible ports and notes that 60 % of foreign entries at Beijing in 2025 used some form of visa exemption.
Beyond Tier-1 hubs, inland cities such as Datong are leveraging the policy to attract new routes to Moscow and Seoul, pushing their annual international throughput above 50 000 for the first time. Cruise-friendly “visa-free + cruise” packages in Xiamen are also gaining traction, enabling tour operators to bundle shore excursions without the administrative burden of group visas.
![China Showcases Streamlined Transit Waivers and New Ports to Woo Travellers]()
Global corporates see opportunities: logistics firms are trialling Chongqing as an alternate Asian trans-shipment point, while conference organisers in Guangzhou report a 25 % rise in foreign delegate registrations since Hengqin Port joined the transit-waiver list on 5 November. However, immigration lawyers caution that travellers must still carry confirmed onward tickets and stay within authorised prefectures.
The NIA is expected to publish a refreshed version of its ‘White List’ of 55 eligible nationalities in early 2026, with Indonesia and Saudi Arabia tipped for inclusion. Mobility teams should watch for local port circulars, as implementation rules can vary on luggage reclaim and hotel check-in requirements.
Beyond Tier-1 hubs, inland cities such as Datong are leveraging the policy to attract new routes to Moscow and Seoul, pushing their annual international throughput above 50 000 for the first time. Cruise-friendly “visa-free + cruise” packages in Xiamen are also gaining traction, enabling tour operators to bundle shore excursions without the administrative burden of group visas.
Global corporates see opportunities: logistics firms are trialling Chongqing as an alternate Asian trans-shipment point, while conference organisers in Guangzhou report a 25 % rise in foreign delegate registrations since Hengqin Port joined the transit-waiver list on 5 November. However, immigration lawyers caution that travellers must still carry confirmed onward tickets and stay within authorised prefectures.
The NIA is expected to publish a refreshed version of its ‘White List’ of 55 eligible nationalities in early 2026, with Indonesia and Saudi Arabia tipped for inclusion. Mobility teams should watch for local port circulars, as implementation rules can vary on luggage reclaim and hotel check-in requirements.
