Jiangsu’s border inspection agencies recorded 391,000 entries and exits by foreign nationals in 2024, marking a 101.5% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 48,000 were visa-free entries, an eightfold increase, including nearly 13,000 in December alone.
China has established mutual visa exemption agreements for citizens holding ordinary passports with 26 countries and is trialing unilateral visa-free policies with 38 countries, while implementing transit visa exemptions for 54 countries. These policy initiatives make it increasingly convenient for foreigners to visit China, and Jiangsu has attracted a large number of international visitors with its cultural appeal and tourism resources.
In response to the rapid increase of foreign travelers, especially those entering visa-free, Jiangsu's General Station of Immigration Inspection has implemented several measures, such as updating guidance signs in a timely manner, setting up visa-free policy consultation desks, assigning dedicated areas for processing visa-free entries, and distributing bilingual Chinese-English guides on the transit visa-free policy. These efforts have effectively helped foreign travelers identify and process their entry procedures smoothly.
Furthermore, ports across the province have leveraged technological solutions to enhance customs clearance efficiency. Sunan Shuofang International Airport in Wuxi took the first in Jiangsu to introduce self-service terminals for declaration, allowing foreigners to fill out their details on their mobile phones and print them easily by scanning a QR code.
With the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, border ports are expecting a further increase in entry-exit trips. Chen Xiangyun, director of Jiangsu's General Station of Immigration Inspection, stated that efforts will be made to strengthen monitoring of passenger flow, share information about estimated holiday peak periods, and remind travelers to plan their travel times accordingly. Officers proficient in English, Korean, and Japanese will play an active role to ensure a safe, convenient, and efficient experience for entries and exits.
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