With the implementation of a series of facilitation policies for immigration management, Beijing’s ports have seen strong growth in inbound and outbound passenger flows. By 11:30 on May 12, Beijing’s ports had recorded more than eight million border crossings this year, registering a year-on-year increase of 12% and reaching the 8-million mark half a month earlier than last year.
Since May, driven by the continued release of dividends from these facilitation policies and strong demand for holiday travel, passenger flow at Beijing’s ports has remained at a high level, with the number of foreign nationals entering China increasing significantly. By May 11, Beijing’s ports had recorded more than 2.55 million border crossings by foreign nationals, accounting for 32% of the total and marking a year-on-year increase of 33.6%. Of these, 957,000 entries by foreign nationals were made under visa-free policies and temporary entry permits, accounting for 70.8% of the total inbound trips by foreigners. Most visits were for tourism, business, or seeing relatives or friends.
China’s ever-expanding visa-free “circle of friends” is making spontaneous travel more accessible for a growing number of foreign travelers. At present, China has implemented unilateral visa-free policies for 50 countries, achieved comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 29 countries, and expanded the 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 55 countries, making travel to China more convenient and efficient for foreign nationals.
In terms of the entry and exit of mainland residents, more than 4.92 million border crossings by mainland residents were made through Beijing’s ports, accounting for 61.7% of the total. The Republic of Korea, Thailand, Singapore and other countries were popular destinations.
On May 7, the Brazilian government officially announced that starting from May 11, 2026, Chinese citizens holding valid ordinary passports would be eligible for visa-free entry.
Facing continuously rising passenger flows, Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection has taken multiple measures to improve clearance efficiency and create a better clearance environment. Relying on its self-developed mini-program for flight passenger flow forecast, it monitors port traffic in real time and allocates inspection officers strategically. At Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport, a dual-queue simultaneous processing mechanism has been adopted, with inspection lanes opened in advance during peak hours, reducing waiting times.
Meanwhile, for foreign nationals applying for a 240-hour visa-free transit, one-stop processing for the issuance and inspection of temporary entry permits has been introduced to streamline the border clearance process. Express lanes are open around the clock, with on-site data collection and filing services available, enabling eligible travelers to enjoy a smooth clearance experience.
Behind the smooth and efficient operation at the ports lies a human touch in every aspect of service. Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection has fully implemented the online arrival card filing policy. Smart devices have been installed on-site for foreign nationals to complete the process, with dedicated personnel providing guidance, ensuring a seamless integration of online and offline services. Dedicated assistance posts have been set up outside inspection counters to provide one-on-one support for key groups, including the elderly and children. Multilingual service teams are stationed on the front line at ports to explain visa-free policies to travelers arriving in China and assist them in completing arrival cards. At the independent international transit area of Beijing Daxing International Airport, additional officers have been deployed to ensure efficient and orderly clearance for transit passengers.
From growing numbers to upgraded experiences, and from policy implementation to improved service efficiency, Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, through high-quality services and meticulous support, enables every inbound and outbound traveler to feel the warmth and efficiency of an open China.
