Foreign travelers at frontier inspection stations in Zhejiang province after the National Immigration Administration announced a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The National Immigration Administration announced on Dec 17 a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy to further boost international openness and support high-level opening-up and high-quality development in China.

The policy extends the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the previous 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days).

The move, effective immediately, also includes a substantial expansion of designated ports and travel regions to increase flexibility for international visitors.

Wenzhou Longwan International Airport and Yiwu Airport are the latest addition to the list of Zhejiang ports that will allow visa-free transit with a 240-hour stay, bringing the province's total to six. The other ports are Hangzhou International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Wenzhou Port (passenger traffic) and Zhoushan Port (passenger traffic).

Visa-free transit travelers can stay within all administrative regions of Zhejiang province and travel across the 24 provinces where the policy applies.

According to the Zhejiang General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport and Yiwu Frontier Inspection Station have established dedicated areas to process temporary entry permits and set up additional lanes for visa-free transit passengers, ensuring efficient service. Frontier inspection authorities across the province have adjusted signage, printed guides for the 240-hour visa-free stay and collaborated with airlines to promote the policy, ensuring eligible foreign nationals can pass through smoothly.

From Jan 1 to Dec 16 this year, Zhejiang recorded 740,000 inbound and outbound foreign travelers, with nearly 2,000 benefiting from the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.