China welcomed a significant rebound in international travel in the third quarter of 2025, with foreign visitors entering under the country’s special visa-free policies rising sharply, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).
During Q3, nearly 7.25 million foreign nationals visited China under visa-free arrangements, representing a 48.3% increase compared with the same period last year. Overall, immigration authorities processed 20.134 million foreign visitors in the quarter, up 22.3% year-on-year, with visa-free travelers accounting for more than 72% of all inbound foreign arrivals, NIA data revealed.
The volume of inbound and outbound travelers in the quarter reached 178 million, marking a 12.9% increase from the previous year. In the same period, Chinese authorities issued 584,000 visas to foreign nationals.
Hainan Province, a long-time beneficiary of China’s favorable visa-free entry policies, has emerged as a key hub for international tourism. As of October 15, 2025, Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan had processed two million inbound and outbound trips for the year, with foreign travelers making up 53% of that total. The majority of these visitors enter Hainan under the island’s visa-free policy, underscoring its appeal as a gateway for international tourists.
The NIA noted that China now offers visa-free access to citizens from 76 countries, either unilaterally or under mutual agreements. Transit visa exemptions have also been expanded to 55 countries, allowing travelers to stay in China for up to 10 days while en route to a third destination.
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