According to new data from the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, since the implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy on December 17, 2024, the number of inbound and outbound foreign visitors through Changsha has increased by 87% over the same period of the previous year and 137% from the previous month. The largest number of these passengers was from the United Kingdom, accounting for 75%. 

Foreign passengers clear customs at Changsha airport. (Photo provided by the correspondent)

At present, Changsha airport has opened 16 international passenger air routes to 11 countries and regions, including London, the United Kingdom; Nairobi, Kenya; Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Hanoi, Vietnam; and, Singapore. The airport handles a daily average of 20 international passenger flights.

In January 2025, Changsha airport has recorded more than 600 inbound foreign visitors, comig from more than 30 countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Russia, and Kenya. About 237 of these visitors benefited from the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, accounting for approximately 40% of the total.

Foreign passengers clear customs at Changsha airport. (Photo provided by the correspondent)

"With the arrival of inbound and outbound tourists peaking during the Spring Festival, the number of foreign travelers will continue to grow," said a spokesperson for the Changsha Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station. In order to implement the "12 Measures to Promote Inbound Tourism Development in Hunan" introduced on January 11, the Changsha Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station has established a dedicated area for handling temporary entry permits, with some channels capable of issuing temporary entry permit and processing entry procedures. Efforts have been made to distribute brochures on permitted travel areas under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy and to promote Russian, Japanese, and Korean language services on the 12367 national immigration service platform.