China Travel Sees Surge in Popularity of Port Visas

China Travel: The Rise of Port Visas

The number of port visas issued to foreigners bound for China has accelerated this year, with tourists taking advantage of the relatively fast entry process and an overall jump in arrivals recorded from abroad through the National Day holiday period.

According to the National Immigration Administration, China issued 846,000 of these special visas in the first seven months of 2024, marking an 183% increase over the same period in 2023.

Benefits and Popularity of Port Visas

Chen Yong, an associate professor at the Switzerland-based EHL Hospitality Business School, explained, "Granting port visas reduces regulatory obstacles to international travel and makes China more accessible to foreign tourists." This option provides a great deal of convenience for those who may not hold a standard visa.

• Port visas can be applied for in advance through public security bureaus.
• Visitors from many developed countries can obtain visas on arrival.
• Port visa services are available at 99 ports in 73 cities.

Impact on Inbound Tourism

In the first seven months of 2024, over 17.25 million foreign nationals entered China, representing a 130% year-on-year increase. Experts attribute this influx to the effectiveness of port visas, which are quick and significantly cheaper compared to traditional visa processes.

According to a September report by Trip.com, inbound bookings soared by 60% for the National Day break compared to last year. Janice Meng from Dragon Trail International stated that easing visa requirements and enhancing travel logistics have played crucial roles in boosting China tourism.

Foreign nations can expect continued growth in inbound tourism as China maintains its focus on improving visa facilitation and international relations.