New policy brings over 247,000 people to Hainan visa-free

The Public Security Department of Hainan Province holds a work conference on March 4. [Photo/hi.chinanews.com]

Hainan province received 247,788 visa-free foreigners from 59 countries last year after the implementation of a new policy on May 1, 2018, according to a recent working conference held by the Public Security Department of Hainan Province.

The department saw promising developments in entry and exit management last year. In addition to the new visa-free policy that applies to a larger number of people and offers a longer duration of stay, it also published a brief work report to promote experience in the management of services for foreigners.

The local government is now striving for support from the National Immigration Administration to revise and release new immigration and entry & exit policies, mainly with the aim of enhancing safety precautions, increasing high-end tourism facilities, simplifying immigration procedures, and strengthening reform and innovation mechanisms.                                          

Foreigners play beach volleyball at Sanya's Dadonghai Bay in Hainan. [Photo by Sha Xiaofeng/hinews.cn]