Beijing’s international airports recorded a significant surge in foreign passenger traffic in January , driven by China’s expanding visa-free policies and anticipation of the upcoming Spring Festival. Border-inspection data released on , shows 560,000 foreign passenger movements, a 44.5 percent increase compared to the same month last year.
Foreign nationals now represent nearly one-third of the 1.77 million total entries and exits processed by Beijing General Station of Immigration Inspection. Officials attribute the increase to the easing of travel restrictions, including the extension of unilateral 15- and 30-day visa waivers for more than 45 countries until the end of , and the expansion of the 240-hour transit-without-visa scheme to 60 ports nationwide.
More than 184,000 travellers – roughly one in three foreigners entering the capital – utilized either the 30-day visa waiver or the 240-hour transit policy. This reflects a broader trend of rebounding inbound tourism following Beijing’s policy adjustments in late .
The surge in arrivals is not limited to Beijing. Shanghai saw nearly 5.35 million inbound foreign visitors in , with 56 percent benefiting from the visa-free policy. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong province handled over 3.2 million foreign entries, with more than 57 percent of passengers utilizing the visa-free transit service. Across China, some 40.6 million foreign nationals entered through its ports over the past year, a 27.2 percent year-on-year increase, according to the National Immigration Administration.
The impact extends beyond major urban centers. Travel-booking platform Qunar reports that non-Chinese passport-holders booked flights to 97 mainland cities during the New Year break, indicating a shift towards exploring destinations beyond traditional gateways like Beijing, and Shanghai. Chengdu, Xi’an, and Guilin are emerging as popular secondary destinations, benefiting from improved air connectivity and targeted promotional campaigns that emphasize cultural immersion and digital payment integration.
The rebound in tourism is significant for China’s economy. In , the country welcomed around 132 million inbound tourists, a 60.8 percent year-on-year increase, with foreign visitors accounting for 26.94 million of those arrivals. Data released on , showed a 35.8 percent increase in foreign arrivals under China’s visa-free schemes compared to the previous year.
The policy changes are also easing logistical challenges for multinational corporations operating in China. The expanded visa-free program simplifies the process of sending technicians, auditors, and sales staff to China on short notice. However, mobility managers are reminded that visa-free entry does not permit work activities and that overstays can incur daily fines ranging from RMB 500 to RMB 10,000.
Airlines are responding to the increased demand by increasing capacity on key routes. Beijing Capital International Airport has reopened Terminal 2’s automated e-gate corridor for passport holders from 26 countries, streamlining immigration procedures. Hotels in Beijing report occupancy rates already exceeding 80 percent for the mid-February peak, driven by both diaspora visitors and business travellers.
To facilitate the increased flow of travellers, major hubs have implemented “one-stop processing” and online declaration services. Starting , foreign visitors have been able to complete their arrival cards online in advance. Guidance signs have also been added at ports to assist passengers entering the country.
China has established mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries and unilaterally offers visa-free entry to nationals of 48 countries, spanning Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Indonesia was added to the list of eligible countries for the 240-hour transit visa waiver on , and five new ports were incorporated on .
The surge in foreign arrivals underscores the effectiveness of China’s evolving visa policies in attracting tourism and facilitating business travel. Mobility teams planning assignments to Beijing in the coming weeks are advised to allow extra lead-time for flight bookings and to pre-register for facial-recognition e-gates where eligible, to navigate the increased passenger volume.
