Over 3,400 foreign travelers utilize 240-hour visa-free policy to enter China through Xiamen

As of Wednesday, more than 3,400 foreign travelers have utilized the convenience of the 240-hour transit visa-free policy entering China through Xiamen ports in East China's Fujian province, since its implementation on Dec 17, 2024, representing a more than three-fold increase compared to the previous 144-hour policy last year, according to data from the Gaoqi Immigration Inspection Station.

Travelers from the United States, Indonesia, Russia, Canada, and the United Kingdom account for over 90 percent of those applying for the 240-hour permit, primarily for tourism and business. Following Indonesia's inclusion in the 55-country eligibility list on June 12, it has rapidly become the top source country in Xiamen, with over 850 applicants in just six months, bolstered by direct flights to Jakarta and Bali, data showed.

The policy allows eligible travelers with valid international documents and onward tickets to a third country to stay for up to 10 days and travel across 24 provinces and municipalities in China.

To ensure efficiency, Xiamen has introduced a "one-stop" service and a system that allows passengers to declare in advance and process once they arrive.

"Our goal is to shorten approval times and ensure the policy's effective implementation," Shen Wenjuan, director of the Frontier Inspection Department at the Gaoqi Immigration Inspection Station, said.

This year, over 60 percent of foreign passengers visiting Xiamen by international cruise ships have benefited from the 240-hour transit visa-free policy, according to the station.

Lynn, a US citizen who took an international cruise to Xiamen and applied for the 240-hour permit, said, "The experience exceeded my expectations. The visa-free policy makes my itinerary more flexible, and the seamless customs process reflects China's openness."

Ting and Max, a British musical duo performing on an international cruise ship, previously had to stay on board until reaching the ship's destination, Japan, to fly home.

"Now, with just our passports and tickets, we can explore China for 10 days before heading back to the UK," Ting said.

As of Wednesday, Xiamen ports have handled over 5.8 million inbound and outbound passengers this year, surpassing last year's total, with foreign travelers exceeding 1.05 million, with a 20 percent increase.

Yang Bingjie contributed to this story.