The National Immigration Administration has announced that foreigners eligible for the visa-free transit policy may now stay 240 hours (10 days) in China, an increase over the previous limits of 72 hours and 144 hours. Additionally, 21 new ports of entry and exit can now accept visa-free transit travelers, and foreigners eligible for the visa-free transit policy can travel between provinces within designated areas in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).

国家移民管理局发布公告，将符合过境免签条件的外国人在境内停留时间由原72小时和144小时均延长为240小时（10天），同时新增21个口岸为过境免签人员入出境口岸，并且过境免签的外国人可以在24个省（区、市）允许停留活动区域内跨省域旅行。

Photo丨Zhu Yuwei

Since the beginning of this year, driven by various visa-free policies, more than 92,000 foreign travelers have departed from or arrived at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, a year-on-year increase of 256%. Of these, about 17,300 foreign travelers entered China under the visa-free transit policy, accounting for 36.4% of all foreign arrivals, a year-on-year increase of approximately 12 times.

今年以来，在系列免签政策带动下，郑州新郑国际机场口岸出入境外籍旅客超过9.2万人次，同比增长256%；其中通过免签政策入境的外籍旅客约为1.73万人次，占入境外籍旅客总量的36.4%，同比增长约12倍。

With the implementation of this new policy, foreign nationals who meet the visa-free transit conditions at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport can travel within the areas designated in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) including Beijing, where the visa-free transit policy is applicable. This will greatly facilitate exchanges in Henan and promote the province’s high-level opening up to the outside world.

此次新政实施，经郑州新郑国际机场口岸符合过境免签条件的外国人停留区域由原河南省全省放宽为可在适用过境免签政策的北京等24个省（区、市）规定区域内旅游观光、跨省旅行，极大便利来豫交流，推动河南高水平对外开放。

Key Points for Foreigners Applying for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Henan:

外国人申请240小时过境免签来河南要点如下：

Choose the right port of entry or exit: Citizens of 54 countries eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy can enter China via Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport or cross into Henan from other provinces (autonomous regions or municipalities) where the visa-free policy applies.

选好通关口岸：适用240小时过境免签政策的54个国家的公民，可从郑州新郑国际机场口岸入境或从其他适用过境免签政策的省（区、市）转至河南并由此出境。

Complete entry procedures: Eligible foreign travelers who hold a passport with at least three months of validity and a connecting flight ticket can apply to the Zhengzhou Immigration Inspection Station. After completing the required entry procedures, they can enter China.

办妥入境手续：符合条件的外籍旅客，持用有效期不少于3个月的本人护照和联程客票，可向郑州出入境边防检查站提出申请，经依法办理过境手续后入境。

Note the allowed activity area: After entering, foreign travelers are allowed to travel within Henan or between provinces, but they must plan their travel routes reasonably and not exceed the designated areas.

注意活动范围：入境后，外籍旅客可依照规定在河南或跨省旅行，合理规划旅游路线，不得超范围停留。

Comply with stay regulations: During their stay in China, foreign travelers must adhere to Chinese laws. They must register at a hotel or local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Within the 240-hour period, they can engage in tourism, business, visiting, or family-related activities. If special circumstances require a stay longer than the prescribed time or outside the designated areas, foreign travelers must apply in advance for a stay permit with the local immigration department of the public security bureau.

遵守停留规定：在华停留期间要遵守中国法律规定，入境后24小时内在旅店或公安派出所办理住宿登记。240小时内可从事旅游、商务、访问、探亲等活动。如有特殊原因需在中国境内停留超过规定时限或停留区域的，应提前向所在地公安机关出入境管理部门申办停留证件。