The Ministry of Public Security's State Immigration Administration is planning to introduce new visa rules for visitors arriving to Hainan. Currently, visa-free access is available for citizens of 59 countries with this number set to grow soon. Travellers who are eligible for a visa-free entry can remain on the island up to 30 days. Yet all the visitors who enter the province of Hainan on visa-free bases are required to register with travel agencies. After the changes of the visa policy, travellers will be allowed to apply for visa-free access on their own and stays longer than 30 days.
While currently visa-free entry is permitted for tourists only, the new rule includes those who travel to Hainan for business and trade, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions and sports competitions.
During two month of May and June 2018, Hainan received 447,000 foreign visitors from 59 countries – a significant 18.8 percent increase on year-to-year bases. The island remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in China but not only. Hainan attracts talents in high-tech and business fields and it is widely believed that the change of visa rules will promote the development of Hainan.
Hainan Offers Easy Access for More Visitors
News in AsiaVisa-free entry into the island of Hainan, China, introduced in 2018 for certain nationalities will be expanded to cover passport holders of other countries as well. It will allow more people to access the island without applying for their entry visa first. The length of the allowed stay will be also extended.