China expands visa-free transit policy for 54 countries to boost tourism

China has updated its visa-free transit policy, allowing travelers from 54 countries to stay for up to 240 hours, an increase from the previous limit of 72-144 hours. This change is part of efforts to boost tourism after three years of COVID-19 restrictions. The new policy is effective immediately at 60 ports across 24 provinces. Eligible countries include the United States, United Kingdom, and Brazil, but India is not on the list. Since reopening its borders, China has seen a significant rise in foreign visitors, with 8.2 million inbound trips recorded in the third quarter of 2024, largely due to the visa-free policy.