CHINA: China Designates Wuxi Shuofang Airport as Entry Point for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

WUXI, China, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Immigration Administration of China announced Tuesday that the country is further extending its visa-free transit policy, from 72 to 144 to 240 hours. The policy now allows foreign travelers to transit the country for up to 240 hours. In addition, 21 ports of entry allowing visa-free transit, including Wuxi Shuofang Airport, have been added.

Currently, the Wuxi air gateway allows the opening of 8 routes for foreign

passengers connecting cities such as Osaka, Japan; Incheon, South Korea; Nha Trang, Vietnam; Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand, with an average of 22 international flights per day.

According to the latest data, Wuxi Immigration Inspection Station has inspected more than 7,400 inbound and outbound flights, up 125 percent year-on-year, and more than 820,000 people, up 134 percent year-on-year. More than 91,000 foreigners entered and exited through Wuxi, up 245 percent year-on-year. Among them, more than 10,000 foreigners entered without a visa for temporary transit, 16.4 times more than last year. Tourism and visiting relatives were the two main reasons for entry.

At the beginning of the year, Wuxi introduced "Ten Measures to Facilitate Foreigners' Entry and Stay in Wuxi", creating six convenience-oriented scenarios for foreign nationals, including entry and exit, payment, business work, travel, consumption, education and medical treatment.

After the 240-hour visa-free transit policy is officially implemented, Wuxi will further improve customs clearance guarantee services. Specific measures include redeveloping the site based on scientific studies and demarcating the processing area for visa-free transit procedures. Wuxi will manage foreigners' stay in China and coordinate the transition from the visa-free transit policy to visa entry requirements. The city will promote the 240-hour visa-free transit policy through various communication channels and in multiple languages, and to foreign enterprises, foreign chambers of commerce, travel agencies and airlines in Wuxi. Passenger entry points will be set up at each entry point to provide foreigners with services such as tour booking, mobile card processing and mobile payments. The aim is to continue to facilitate foreigners' study, life and work in Wuxi.

Source: Wuxi Immigration Inspection Station