The National Immigration Administration (NIA) in the People’s Republic of China announced on 17 December 2024, that it will further relax and enhance its visa-exempt transit policy with extended validity of each stay, more ports of entry, and opening up of areas for visa-exempt transit travellers to stay.1 The policy is effective immediately.
WHY THIS MATTERS
By further relaxing and otherwise enhancing the country’s visa-exempt transit policy, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC” or “China”) is aiming to attract more short-term visitors for cultural and business exchanges. Most of the newly-added ports of entry and stay are located in cities and provinces that could hold an appeal for visitors due to their rich cultural heritage and tourist-friendly resources. (For related coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2024-248, 13 December 2024.)
The new changes usher in additonal flexibility and convenience for travellers choosing to come to China for work or pleasure or medical need, etc. and when transiting to other countries. They should also help mitigate stress visitors may have experienced tied to shorter-term stays (and the need to depart the country) when in transit, which came with the previous policies.
Key Points of Recent Policy Upgrades
Extension of duration of stay: The duration of stay in the PRC for individuals from 54 eligible countries is extended to 240 hours (10 days). Please refer to Appendix I for the list of countries.
Increased number of ports of entry: The number of open ports of entry have been expanded to 60, which are located in 24 provinces, adding five new provinces to the list, including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou.
Expansion of allowed areas of stay: Foreign nationals from eligible countries would be able to stay in the aforementioned 24 provinces for the purpose of tourism, family visits, medical treatment, cultural exchange, and commercial trades, with specific cities in Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Yunnan provinces. Please refer to Appendix II for list of applicable provinces and permitted areas of stay.
KPMG INSIGHTS
The expansion of the PRC’s visa-exempt transit policy is expected to result in enhanced openness and attract visitors to China. This could lead to accelerating cross-border mobility and to promoting international exchange and cooperation and economic interaction.
Foreign nationals intending to utilise the 240-hour visa-exempt transit policy should make sure they have the following in place:
- Valid international travel documents with at least three-month validity;
- Official document proving the traveller’s right to enter the next destination country/region (following their transit through China);
- Ticket for connecting flight/appropriate transportation to the next destination country/region with confirmed date and seat for departure within 240 hours.
Foreign nationals who intend to come to China to work should apply for a working visa in advance and convert the working visa to a work permit after entering into China.
If individuals intending to travel to China have questions concerning how China’s new visa-exempt transit policy applies to them, they should consult with immigration counsel or with a member of the KPMG immigration team in the People’s Republic of China.
Appendix I
Eligible Countries（54 countries） | |||
Valid until further notice | |||
Continents | Countries | Countries | Countries |
Europe（40 countries） | Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic |
Denmark | Estonia | Finland | |
France | Germany | Greece | |
Hungary | Iceland | Italy | |
Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | |
Malta | The Netherlands | Poland | |
Portugal | Slovakia | Slovenia | |
Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | |
Monaco | Russia | The United Kingdom | |
Ireland | Cyprus | Bulgaria | |
Romania | Ukraine | Serbia | |
Croatia | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Montenegro | |
North Macedonia | Albania | Belarus | |
Norway |
|
| |
America（6 countries） | The United States of America | Canada | Brazil |
Mexico | Argentina | Chile | |
Oceania（2 countries） | Australia | New Zealand |
|
Asia（6 countries） | Republic of Korea | Japan | Singapore |
Brunei | United Arab Emirates | Qatar | |
Source: KPMG in the People’s Republic of China
Appendix II
Applicable Provinces and Allowed Areas of Stay | ||
Valid until further notice | ||
S/N | Provinces (Regions or Municipalities) | Allowed Areas of Stay |
1 | Beijing | Beijing |
2 | Tianjin | Tianjin |
3 | Hebei | Hebei |
4 | Liaoning | Liaoning |
5 | Shanghai | Shanghai |
6 | Jiangsu | Jiangsu |
7 | Zhejiang | Zhejiang |
8 | Anhui | Anhui |
9 | Fujian | Fujian |
10 | Shandong | Shandong |
11 | Henan | Henan |
12 | Hubei | Hubei |
13 | Hunan | Hunan |
14 | Guangdong | Guangdong (Exit available at all open ports across the province) |
15 | Hainan | Hainan |
16 | Chongqing | Chongqing |
17 | Guizhou | Guizhou |
18 | Shaanxi | Shaanxi |
19 | Shanxi | Taiyuan and Datong |
20 | Heilongjiang | Harbin |
21 | Jiangxi | Nanchang and Jingdezhen |
22 | Guangxi | A total of 12 cities: Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fang Chenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin |
23 | Sichuan | A total of 11 cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Yan’an， Meishan, and Ziyang |
24 | Yunnan | A total of 9 cities and autonomous prefectures: Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang |
Source: KPMG in the People’s Republic of China
Footnote:
1 The State Council, the People's Republc of China, National Immigration Administration, "China's visa-free transit policy fully relaxed and optimized" (last updated: 17 December 2024) (in English and Mandarin) at: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202412/17/content_WS6760ead6c6d0868f4e8ee0c1.html.
Also see "China extends visa-free transit stays to 240 hours, adds more entry points" (last updated: 17 December 2024) (in English and Mandarin) at: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202412/17/content_WS6760e5eac6d0868f4e8ee0b8.html.
Contacts
More information
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the People’s Republic of China.
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
© 2024 KPMG Huazhen LLP, a People's Republic of China partnership, KPMG Advisory (China) Limited, a limited liability company in Mainland China, KPMG, a Macau (SAR) partnership, and KPMG, a Hong Kong (SAR) partnership, are member firms of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.