World Natural Heritage World Geopark The First National Forest Park of China
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on December 17 that it would fully relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy, which was effective immediately. The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Additionally, 21 ports of entry and exit have been added for visa-free transit individuals, further expanding the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers. Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in Hunan Province is among the 21 newly added ports for the visa-free transit policy. The permitted stay for eligible visa-free transit travelers entering through Changsha Huanghua International Airport has been extended from the original 72 hours to 240 hours.
Under the updated policy, eligible individuals from 54 eligible countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada, traveling from China to a third country (region), can enter visa-free through any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), and stay within the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers for no more than 240 hours. During their stay, transit visa-free travelers may engage in tourism, business, visiting, family visits, and other activities.
"The updated policy will further enhance Hunan's popularity, attract more foreign tourists to Hunan, promote the development of inbound tourism, and bring new opportunities for the high-quality development of Hunan's open economy," said Liu Delin, director of the Port Office of the People's Government of Hunan Province. Director Liu added that the Port Office will actively coordinate with customs authorities, border inspection authorities, and exit-entry departments of public security authorities to further optimize customs clearance procedures, provide better services, and improve passengers' experience. 1The Changsha Huanghua International Airport was previously under the 72-hour visa-free transit policy. Currently, both Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport are under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. The allowed area for visa-free transit travelers in Hunan Province encompasses the entire province.
The Zhangjiajie Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station will set up a special area and a green channel to process the 240-hour visa-free transit procedures at the entry-exit site. Taking account of the characteristics of the international routes of Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, the border inspection station will conduct real-time monitoring of the flow of cross-border passengers, accordingly adjusting working staff arrangements, optimize customs clearance passages, and improve passengers' customs clearance experience. Since this year, the Zhangjiajie port has handled 552,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips and more than 3,400 inbound and outbound flights, an increase of 161% and 144% year-on-year, respectively. The figures hit a record high since the opening of the port.
Source from:enghunan
