Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport saw around 140,000 passenger movements during the first three days of the Spring Festival travel rush, signaling a busy travel season.
According to the National Immigration Administration, the first quarter of 2025 saw a sharp increase in the number of foreign nationals entering China, largely due to enhanced policies aimed at easing cross-border travel.
One major contributor was the improvement of China's visa-free transit policy last December. From January to March, over 9.2 million foreign entries were recorded, marking a 40.2% increase from the same period last year. Notably, 71.3% of those entries were visa-free, said administration spokesperson Lin Yongsheng.
The updated policy, introduced on December 17, extended visa-free transit durations to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries—up from the previous limits of 72 and 144 hours. This change allows eligible travelers to enter through 60 ports and explore 24 provincial-level areas in China without a visa.
Lin noted that this policy gives foreign visitors more time to explore multiple destinations, contributing to a rise in domestic tourism. Nearly 60% of foreign travelers are now visiting multiple regions during their stay. Popular destinations such as Huangshan (Anhui province), Wuyishan (Fujian province), and Zhangjiajie (Hunan province) have seen a 21.6% increase in foreign tourist numbers year-over-year.
Looking ahead, the administration aims to further modernize immigration systems by introducing more efficient entry and residency policies, simplifying customs processes, and improving ease of travel for both Chinese citizens and international visitors.
In total, Chinese immigration authorities recorded 163 million cross-border movements in Q1—up 15.3% from last year. Of those, 17.4 million were made by foreigners, reflecting a 33.4% year-on-year rise.
In parallel with facilitating travel, border authorities continue to crack down on illegal activity. In the first quarter, they investigated 2,851 criminal cases related to border control, detaining 8,402 individuals. Authorities also handled 128 drug cases and seized 201 firearms and more than 5,400 rounds of ammunition.
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