Visa Free Entries Surge by 52 Percent in First Eight Months

Lianyungang officials have reported a remarkable surge in border crossings, revealing that from January to August 2025, the national border inspection authorities have recorded a staggering 460 million entries and exits. This figure represents a significant increase of 14.9 percent compared to the same period last year, highlighting the growing mobility of individuals. Among these crossings, mainland residents accounted for 220 million trips, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 15.4 percent. In addition, there were 180 million trips made by residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, marking an increase of 11.2 percent. Furthermore, foreign nationals contributed to 51.268 million of these trips, showcasing an impressive year-on-year increase of 27.8 percent. Notably, 15.89 million of these foreign entries were visa-free, which signifies a striking growth of 52.1 percent from the previous year, representing 62.1 percent of all foreign entries.

The comprehensive inspection of transport vehicles has also seen a notable rise, with a total of 24.482 million vehicles, including aircraft, trains, and motor vehicles, inspected for entry and exit. This marks a year-on-year increase of 16.2 percent. The breakdown of the vehicles inspected includes 662,000 aircraft, which shows an impressive rise of 17.1 percent, 71,000 trains with a 4.9 percent improvement, 294,000 ships displaying a 3.8 percent increase, and 23.452 million motor vehicles at a significant 16.4 percent growth.

This escalation in border crossings and vehicle inspections is reflective of China's ongoing efforts to enhance its openness, allowing for greater international mobility. As travel restrictions have eased, more Chinese citizens are exploring opportunities abroad, engaging in tourism and business ventures, while a parallel increase in foreign nationals traveling to China can be observed across various sectors, including business, tourism, work, and study.

In response to the rising volumes of both inbound and outbound travelers, the National Immigration Administration has implemented a series of measures aimed at streamlining the entry process for foreign nationals. The administration is also focused on providing robust support for the management of immigration among Chinese citizens, ensuring that both groups can navigate cross-border travel with ease.

Moreover, border inspection agencies across the country are making significant strides to allocate sufficient law enforcement personnel and open additional inspection channels at various ports. These efforts are designed to maintain efficient customs clearance processes, ultimately enhancing the overall experience for travelers.

A representative from the National Immigration Administration has indicated that the administration is dedicated to expanding institutional openness in the realm of immigration management. This includes ongoing improvements to services that align with national and regional strategies aimed at fostering international diplomatic relations and economic collaborations.

In addition, the administration plans to optimize policies and systems governing immigration management and administrative services. Continuous enhancements to the port customs environment and customs facilitation procedures are also on the agenda.

Through these proactive measures, the National Immigration Administration aims to facilitate smoother exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel, ensuring that the growing interconnectedness is supported by efficient and user-friendly processes.