On Monday July 15, China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) revealed an extension of its 144-hour visa-free transit policy to three more entry points.

With this update, the policy now covers a total of 37 ports.

The new additions are Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Henan Province, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport in Yunnan Province, and the Mohan railway port in Yunnan.

“Starting from Monday, eligible foreign nationals can enter China through Zhengzhou aviation port visa-free, with their stay limited within Henan Province. Additionally, people entering Yunnan visa-free are allowed to stay in more areas of the province."

“Previously, they could only stay in the provincial capital Kunming whereas now, they can visit nine city or prefecture-level areas including Kunming, Lijiang, Dali and Xishuangbanna."

“The two provinces both boast rich tourist resources. Henan, where many ancient dynasties had established their capitals is home to sites of great historical interest including the Shaolin Temple and the Longmen Grottoes."

“Yunnan boasts multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Old Town of Lijiang and the Hani rice terraces. It is also home to more than 20 ethnic groups," the NIA said.

The NIA stated that currently, nationals from 54 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Britain, qualify for the 144-hour visa-free policy for short-term activities like travel and business visits.

The NIA noted that expanding the visa-free policy aims to offer more options for international travelers and businesspeople in China.

According to the NIA, the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy has significantly contributed to China’s open-door policy by enhancing people-to-people exchanges and fostering international cooperation.

The NIA pledged to continually refine and enhance the policy, aiming to offer a more welcoming experience for foreign visitors.

The NIA reported earlier this month that China saw 14.64 million foreign inbound trips in the first half of 2024, marking a 152.7% increase compared to the previous year.

Of these, 8.54 million travelers entered China without a visa, making up 52% of all inbound trips and representing a 190.1% year-on-year increase.

“In addition to the expanded visa-free policies, China has also initiated a series of other measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals and their stay in China."

“This includes relaxed visa application requirements and simplified procedures, exemption of border checks for certain transit passengers, and more convenient mobile payment services for foreigners," the statement said.

The NIA anticipates that the influx of foreign visitors to China will keep increasing throughout the second half of the year.

The statement also noted that with ongoing efforts to simplify travel to China, the country has become a favored spot for international tourists, leading to a rise in social media posts about travel experiences in China.

“China will continue to embrace the world with open arms, inject new dynamism into the world through its development, and create more energy and enthusiasm for people-to-people exchanges," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.