China's 240-hour visa-free transit programme covers more ports in Guangdong
BEIJING: China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on Monday that the country's 240-hour visa-free transit programme will be expanded to five more ports in Guangdong Province as part of China's latest efforts to further deepen its opening-up policy.
The five ports are located in Guangzhou; Zhuhai's Hengqin and Zhongshan; the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge; and the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
The new policy, effective on Wednesday, will raise the total number of ports eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit from 60 to 65.
Travellers from 55 eligible countries who meet certain criteria can enter China through any of these ports in 24 provincial-level regions and stay in the country for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa before heading to a third destination, according to the NIA.
This is one of 10 new policies announced by the NIA on exit and entry administration to further facilitate outbound and inbound travel for both Chinese and foreign nationals.
A total of 10 international airports located in Tianjin, Nanjing, Chongqing and other cities will be added to the list of ports allowing 24-hour direct transit for foreign nationals without having to undergo border-check procedures, according to the measures.
The NIA announced that, starting 20 November, foreign travellers to China will be able to complete their entry cards online before arrival. They can also choose to fill them out on site using electronic devices provided at inspection points or opt for traditional paper entry cards.
The newly released measures also include provisions to simplify travel for residents of the Chinese mainland visiting Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as for Taiwan residents travelling to the mainland.
