根据国家移民管理局数据显示，今年上半年，全国各口岸入境外国人1463.5万人次，同比增长152.7%，适用免签政策来华外国人854.2万人次，同比增长190.1%，其中来华旅游436.1万人次，同比上升5.4倍，适用72/144小时过境免签人数同比上升4倍。其中，144小时过境免签政策实施以来，越来越多的外国人得以更加便捷地走进中国、了解中国。这个夏天，在北京的胡同里、街边夜市里、广场舞的人群里，都能看到外国人的沉浸式体验中国文化。
According to data from the National Immigration Administration, in the first half of this year, the number of foreign nationals entering China through various ports totaled 14.635 million, an increase of 152.7% year-on-year. Among them, 8.542 million arrivals were eligible for visa exemption policies, marking a 190.1% year-on-year increase. Specifically, there were 4.361 million tourists visiting China, a significant increase of 5.4 times compared to the same period last year. The number of foreigners eligible for the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption increased fourfold year-on-year. Since the implementation of the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy, more and more foreigners have been able to enter China conveniently and gain a deeper understanding of the country. This summer, in Beijing's hutongs, street-side night markets, and amidst the crowds practicing square dancing, one can witness foreigners immersing themselves in experiencing Chinese culture firsthand.
在北京首都国际机场，记者遇到了一位刚刚结束旅程来自英国的游客詹姆斯，他便是从网上看到144小时过境免签政策，感觉到很方便，于是选择来中国游玩的。
At Beijing Capital International Airport, a reporter met James, a tourist from the UK who had just completed his journey. He had learned about the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy online and found it very convenient, which influenced his decision to visit China.
英国游客 詹姆斯：在北京的旅途特别好，我喜欢这里的一切，人、文化和食物等等一切事物。我们去了天安门广场、故宫、长城，还有颐和园。
British tourist James shared his thoughts on his journey in Beijing: "The trip in Beijing has been especially great. I love everything here - the people, the culture, the food, and everything else. We visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace."
而像詹姆斯这样的游客每天都有很多，他们从各个国家来到中国游玩，有的吃上一口中国的美食便无法自拔，有的惊叹于中国先进、文明的城市，有的则沉浸于中国历史悠久的文化当中。
And tourists like James arrive daily from various countries to explore China. Some are captivated by the delicious Chinese cuisine, unable to resist its allure. Others are amazed by the advanced and civilized cities of China, while some immerse themselves in its rich and ancient cultural history.
国家移民管理局外国人管理司签证旅行管理处处长 何枫：下一步，我们将持续改进优化过境免签政策，积极研究统一免签时间、增加实施口岸、扩大停留范围、新增适用国家等工作，并会同有关部门持续提升外国人在华便利度，欢迎更多的外国朋友来华，感受更加生动、更有温度、更具烟火气的中国。
He Feng, Director of the Visa and Travel Management Division of the Foreigners Administration Department at the National Immigration Administration, stated: "In the next steps, we will continue to improve and optimize transit visa exemption policies. We will actively research unified exemption periods, increase the number of implementation ports, expand the range of stay options, and add eligible countries. Working together with relevant departments, we will continuously enhance the convenience for foreigners in China. We welcome more foreign friends to come to China, experience a more vivid, warm, and lively Chinese culture."
144小时过境免签政策是什么？
那么144小时过境免签政策到底是什么呢？这个政策是怎么来的？我们一起梳理一下。
• 2013年，在北京、上海、广州、成都、重庆等特定口岸实施72小时过境免签政策。2015年，《国务院关于改进口岸工作支持外贸发展的若干意见》提出，“在符合条件的地方扩大旅客联程中转、口岸签证和过境免签政策试点口岸范围。”
• 2016年1月，沪苏浙地区对51国人员实行144小时过境免签；2017年12月28日起，京津冀地区对53个国家外国人实施144小时过境免签政策；
• 2018年1月1日起，辽宁对53个国家人员实行144小时过境免签；2019年全国多个地区跟进开放144小时过境免签。
• 随着144小时过境免签政策的不断优化完善，目前，政策实施范围已扩大到16个省份、37个口岸，适用于54个国家人员。
So what exactly is the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy? Let's summarize it together.
• In 2013, China implemented a 72-hour transit visa exemption policy at specific ports such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing.
• In 2015, the State Council proposed in "Opinions on Improving Port Work to Support Foreign Trade Development" to expand the scope of transit visa exemptions at ports where conditions are met, along with visa-free policies for transit passengers.
• In January 2016, the Shanghai-Suzhou-Zhejiang region implemented the 144-hour transit visa exemption for nationals of 51 countries. Starting from December 28, 2017, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region applied the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy to foreigners from 53 countries.
• From January 1, 2018, Liaoning province implemented the 144-hour transit visa exemption for nationals of 53 countries. Throughout 2019, various regions across China followed suit in opening up the 144-hour transit visa exemption.
• With continuous improvements and optimizations, the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy now applies across 16 provinces and to 37 ports, accommodating nationals from 54 countries.
免签政策扩大 云南成为外籍旅客新选择
随着144小时过境免签政策的不断优化完善，目前，政策实施范围越来越大。
With the continuous improvement and refinement of the 144-hour transit visa exemption policy, its implementation scope has been expanding significantly.
7月15日刚刚被纳入144小时免签范围的云南的一些口岸，这个暑期就迅速成了外国人入境的新选择。
As of July 15th, some ports in Yunnan newly included in the 144-hour visa-free transit policy have quickly become a new choice for foreigners entering the country this summer.
自7月15日起国家移民管理局将云南省144小时过境免签政策停留范围由昆明市扩大至丽江、玉溪、普洱、楚雄、大理、西双版纳、红河、文山等9个市（州）行政区域。政策实施后，云南各口岸出入境旅客流量迅速升温。
Since July 15th, the National Immigration Administration has expanded the scope of Yunnan's 144-hour visa-free transit policy from Kunming to include 9 other administrative regions such as Lijiang, Yuxi, Puer, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, and Wenshan. Following the policy implementation, there has been a rapid increase in inbound and outbound tourist flows at various ports in Yunnan.
7月16日，在昆明国际机场，美国旅客本杰明，成为云南省144小时过境免签政策停留范围扩大后首位享受政策便利的旅客。
On July 16th, at Kunming International Airport, Benjamin, a traveler from the United States, became the first beneficiary of the expanded 144-hour visa-free transit policy in Yunnan Province.
美国旅客 本杰明：我将在这里停留2天左右，然后乘坐火车离开。我听说这里的蘑菇很不错，我非常期待尝试所有新事物。
Benjamin, the American traveler: "I'll be staying here for about 2 days before taking a train out. I've heard the mushrooms here are excellent, and I'm really looking forward to trying everything new."
据云南边检总站数据显示，今年上半年，昆明长水国际机场入出境外国人39万余人次，同比增长491%，其中通过免签入境12万余人次，占比30.68%，同时，磨憨、河口、瑞丽等口岸也迎来出入境旅客流量高峰，边境旅游依然热度不减，跨境游和边境游双高峰叠加，引爆口岸旅游市场。
According to data from the Yunnan Border Inspection General Station, in the first half of this year, Kunming Changshui International Airport saw over 390,000 entries and exits by foreign nationals, marking a 491% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, more than 120,000 people entered under the visa-free policy, accounting for 30.68% of the total. Additionally, ports like Mohan, Hekou, and Ruili also experienced peaks in passenger traffic, indicating sustained popularity in border tourism. The convergence of cross-border and border tourism peaks has ignited tourism markets at these ports.
昆明边检站边防检查处副处长 李军：截至目前，昆明口岸暑期出入境旅客达到10万人次，出入境航班达到900余架次，同比增长70.47%和55.34%。
Deputy Director Li Jun from the Border Inspection Department of Kunming Frontier Inspection Station: "As of now, during this summer, the number of inbound and outbound passengers through Kunming Port has reached 100,000, with over 900 flights, marking a year-on-year increase of 70.47% and 55.34%, respectively."
海南将为免签证赴琼外国人提供便利服务
海南拥有的59国人员入境免签政策，是海南独享的区域性入境免签政策。7月25日，海南对外公布《免签证来琼外国人服务和管理办法》，并将于2024年9月1日起实施。该《办法》在多个条款中提出为免签证来琼外国人提供便利服务。
Hainan's visa-free entry policy for citizens of 59 countries is a regional policy unique to Hainan. On July 25th, Hainan publicly announced the "Measures for the Service and Management of Visa-Free Foreigners Coming to Qiongshan" which will be implemented starting from September 1, 2024. The measures include provisions aimed at providing convenient services for visa-free foreigners coming to Qiongshan across various articles.
新公布的《免签证来琼外国人服务和管理办法》在多个条款中提到为免签证来琼外国人提供便利服务，明确海关、边防检查等口岸查验机构和机场、港口等企业应当优化通关环境，方便免签证来琼外国人从海南省入境、出境。规定县级以上人民政府及其有关部门设立的政务服务大厅、服务热线应当提供必要的外语服务。
The newly published "Measures for the Service and Management of Visa-Free Foreigners Coming to Qiongshan" mentions in several articles the provision of convenient services for visa-free foreigners coming to Qiongshan. It specifically outlines that customs, border inspection agencies, as well as airports, ports, and other enterprises, should optimize the clearance environment to facilitate the entry and exit of visa-free foreigners coming to Hainan Province. The regulations also stipulate that government service halls and service hotlines established by governments at or above the county level must provide necessary services in foreign languages.
《办法》还鼓励旅游景区、宾馆酒店、文博场馆、交通站点、医疗卫生机构、银行等场所，提供必要的翻译、咨询、支付、指引等便利和服务。
The "Regulations" also encourage tourist attractions, hotels, museums, transportation hubs, medical institutions, banks, and other venues to provide necessary conveniences and services such as translation, consultation, payment, and guidance.
此外，新公布的《免签证来琼外国人服务和管理办法》明确，经中国国务院特别批准的国家的公民，持普通护照以旅游、商贸、访问、探亲、医疗、会展、体育竞技等事由（工作、学习事由除外），免办签证从海南省对外开放口岸入境，在规定的停留期限内，在海南省内的活动及相关服务和管理，适用该《办法》。符合与中国签署互免签证协定或者适用中国单方面免签政策的，从其规定。
In addition, the newly released "Regulations on Services and Management for Foreigners Entering Hainan Province Visa-Free" specify that citizens of countries approved by the Chinese State Council, holding ordinary passports for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting relatives, medical treatment, exhibitions, sports events, etc. (excluding work or study purposes), are exempt from visa requirements when entering Hainan Province through designated open ports. They are permitted to engage in activities within Hainan Province and avail related services and management as per these regulations. The regulations also apply to those who qualify under mutual visa exemption agreements signed with China or under China's unilateral visa exemption policies.
