China Reports 178 Million Border Crossings in Q3 2025, Visa-Free Entries Up 48%
October 16, 2025 – Beijing
Strong Growth in Cross-Border Travel
China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that the country recorded 178 million border crossings in the third quarter of 2025 — a 12.9% year-on-year increase. The data reflect the ongoing recovery of international mobility and tourism.
Mainland residents made 89.37 million crossings (+13.8%), while travelers from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan totaled 68.73 million (+6.2%). Foreign nationals accounted for 20.13 million crossings, rising 22.3% from the previous year.
Surge in Visa-Free Arrivals
Among foreign visitors, 7.25 million entered China visa-free, representing 72.2% of all inbound foreigners and a remarkable 48.3% year-on-year increase. This jump highlights the positive impact of China’s expanding visa-free entry policy for citizens from dozens of countries.
Transportation and Document Services on the Rise
Immigration checkpoints handled 9.9 million international transport vehicles during the quarter, including planes, trains, ships, and cars — up 17.5% overall.
China also issued 5.7 million passports and 28.1 million travel permits for mainland residents visiting Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, 580,000 visas and residence permits were granted to foreigners.
Enhanced Immigration Services and Border Security
The NIA’s online service platforms processed over 54 million inquiries and offered 19 million free identity verification services for Chinese citizens abroad and foreign visitors. Its 12367 hotline received nearly 2 million inquiries from more than 100 countries, with a 99.5% satisfaction rate.
Authorities also reported 4,838 criminal cases related to border management, leading to the arrest of over 15,000 suspects and the dismantling of 134 criminal groups.
Growing Openness and Tourism Recovery
The Q3 data demonstrate China’s increasing openness and the robust recovery of inbound travel. The surge in visa-free entries shows that international tourists are returning in greater numbers, supported by smoother immigration services and expanded travel convenience measures.
