KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- China has further expanded its visa-free transit policy, allowing foreigners to stay in the country for the maximum amount of time of up to 240 hours from the previous 72 or 144 hours.
The recent announcement by the National Immigration Administration of China also stated that the policy now includes 21 additional ports as entry ports for transit visa-free personnel, including Wuxi Shuofang Airport.
After the formal implementation of the 240-hour transit visa-free policy, Wuxi will further improve the customs clearance guarantee services with specific measures, including scientifically adjusting the layout of the entry site and delineating the transit visa-free procedure processing area.
In addition, Wuxi will manage and serve the stay of foreigners in China and coordinate the transition between the transit visa-free policy and port visa requirements, according to a statement.
The city will publicise the 240-hour transit visa-free policy in multiple channels and languages, and promote the transit visa-free policy to foreign-funded enterprises, foreign chambers of commerce, travel agencies, and airlines in Wuxi.
It will set up entry passenger service stations at entry ports, providing foreigners with services such as scenic spot reservation, mobile card processing, and mobile payment, while also continuing to facilitate foreigners' study, life, and work in the city.
Currently, the aviation port in Wuxi has opened eight international passenger routes to and from cities such as Osaka in Japan; Incheon in South Korea; Nha Trang in Vietnam; Singapore; and Bangkok in Thailand, with an average of 22 international flights daily.
The latest data showed that this year, Wuxi Immigration Inspection Station has inspected over 7,400 inbound and outbound flights, marking a 125 per cent increase from last year, and over 820,000 personnel, a year-on-year rise of 134 per cent.
At the beginning of this year, Wuxi introduced the "Ten Measures to Facilitate the Entry and Stay of Foreign Nationals in Wuxi", building six scenarios of convenience for foreign nationals, including entry and exit, payment, business work, living travel, consumption, as well as education and medical care.
-- BERNAMA
