Starting July 1, China began a trial visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. These passport holders can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting friends and family, and transit. This expands China's visa-free "circle of friends" once again.
On July 2, Australian businessman Jon arrived in Xiamen on a flight from Sydney. He runs a tourism service company in Australia and has many Chinese partners. Jon said that with the visa-free policy for Australia now in effect, it’s much easier to visit friends and negotiate business in China. Jon's flight carried over 220 passengers, including more than 110 foreign nationals, of whom nearly 50 were visa-free travelers from the three countries, making up over 40% of the foreign passengers.
Since China introduced various visa optimization policies for foreigners, the number of foreign visitors has been steadily increasing. This year, Xiamen Gaoqi Border Inspection Station has processed nearly 30,000 travelers from New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. Australian visitors ranked eighth among all foreign entrants.
Xiamen Airport is one of the six major port airports in Chinese mainland. On January 11, 2024, the National Immigration Administration announced five measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals, and Xiamen became one of the cities to implement these policies after Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport also offers a 24-hour direct transit without border inspection procedures.
To further facilitate foreign visitors, the Gaoqi Border Inspection Station has introduced self-service terminals for filling out entry registration cards at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, enhancing passenger clearance efficiency. With the adjustment of the visa-free policy and the arrival of the peak travel season, Xiamen port is expected to see another surge in passenger flow. The Gaoqi Border Inspection Station will deploy the "Tongxin Foreign Language Volunteer Service Team" to provide guidance, visa-free policy consultations, and ensure smooth and convenient clearance for travelers.
