New statistics released by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on 19 December show that China processed 40.6 million foreign entries in the past 12 months, up 27.2 % year-on-year. The headline driver is the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, which saw usage leap 60.8 % compared with the shorter 72-/144-hour versions it replaced in late 2024.
The expanded programme lets citizens of 55 countries enter through any of 65 approved ports—including Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and West Kowloon High-Speed-Rail station—and remain anywhere in China for up to 10 days before flying onwards to a third destination. Beijing logged 3.4 million such passengers, Shanghai 5.35 million and Guangzhou 3.2 million, confirming that China’s three largest gateways are again acting as Asia-Pacific hubs.
Whether travellers opt for the expanded visa-free transit or still require a traditional visa, VisaHQ’s China specialists can streamline the process. Via its digital portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) the service offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and courier options, enabling both individuals and corporate travel managers to choose the most efficient pathway—be it transit waiver, e-visa or consular sticker—while keeping itineraries on schedule.
![China’s 240-hour visa-free transit sparks 60 % surge in foreign arrivals]()
Border authorities credit the surge to “one-stop” processing lanes, multilingual volunteer teams and the new online arrival-card system that went live nationwide on 20 November. Average immigration-queue times for foreigners in Beijing have fallen by 15 minutes, while e-channel use by Chinese citizens now clears most travellers in under 30 minutes.
For corporates, the data confirms that the 10-day window is proving long enough for regional sales swings, trade-fair visits and factory inspections that previously required a business (M) visa. Travel managers should therefore reassess when a visa-free transit plus onward ticket is more efficient than a consular visa, especially for multi-stop Asia trips. Airlines, meanwhile, are adjusting schedules to maximise sixth-freedom traffic through Chinese hubs, creating new one-stop options between Europe, Oceania and Southeast Asia.
With visitor numbers still only 70 % of their 2019 peak, officials hinted at further liberalisation in 2026, including extending unilateral 30-day visa-free entry for 45 countries beyond its current 2026 expiry date and adding more nationalities to the transit-without-visa list.
The expanded programme lets citizens of 55 countries enter through any of 65 approved ports—including Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and West Kowloon High-Speed-Rail station—and remain anywhere in China for up to 10 days before flying onwards to a third destination. Beijing logged 3.4 million such passengers, Shanghai 5.35 million and Guangzhou 3.2 million, confirming that China’s three largest gateways are again acting as Asia-Pacific hubs.
Whether travellers opt for the expanded visa-free transit or still require a traditional visa, VisaHQ’s China specialists can streamline the process. Via its digital portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) the service offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and courier options, enabling both individuals and corporate travel managers to choose the most efficient pathway—be it transit waiver, e-visa or consular sticker—while keeping itineraries on schedule.
Border authorities credit the surge to “one-stop” processing lanes, multilingual volunteer teams and the new online arrival-card system that went live nationwide on 20 November. Average immigration-queue times for foreigners in Beijing have fallen by 15 minutes, while e-channel use by Chinese citizens now clears most travellers in under 30 minutes.
For corporates, the data confirms that the 10-day window is proving long enough for regional sales swings, trade-fair visits and factory inspections that previously required a business (M) visa. Travel managers should therefore reassess when a visa-free transit plus onward ticket is more efficient than a consular visa, especially for multi-stop Asia trips. Airlines, meanwhile, are adjusting schedules to maximise sixth-freedom traffic through Chinese hubs, creating new one-stop options between Europe, Oceania and Southeast Asia.
With visitor numbers still only 70 % of their 2019 peak, officials hinted at further liberalisation in 2026, including extending unilateral 30-day visa-free entry for 45 countries beyond its current 2026 expiry date and adding more nationalities to the transit-without-visa list.
