China welcomed 20 million visa-free visitors in 2024, more tourism incentives on the way
Visa-free visitor numbers up 112 per cent from 2023, immigration body says, a day after China’s cabinet vows to ‘optimise’ travel policy
This comes after more than a year of travel policy easing, including short-term visa-free transit and unilateral visa-free entry schemes for dozens of countries.
A total of 20.1 million foreign travellers gained visa-free entry in 2024, surging by 112.3 per cent from the previous year, according to National Immigration Administration (NIA) figures released on Tuesday.
“Over the past year … the number of foreigners coming to China has increased significantly,” NIA spokeswoman Lu Ning said.
The NIA data was released a day after the State Council, China’s cabinet, outlined further efforts to “optimise” inbound travel policies. The move is part of an 18-point package to boost consumption as the country struggles to grow its post-Covid economy.
“[We will] expand the scope of unilateral visa exemptions in an orderly manner and appropriately extend the duration of visa-free stays,” the State Council said in a checklist released on Monday.
