Hainan upbeat on new 144-hour visa-free policy

Hainan's embrace of the 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign tour groups entering the island province from Hong Kong or Macao has led to the development of more than 20 tourism products and routes tailored for such visitors, Liu Cheng, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Film, Television, Publications and Sports, said at a news conference in the provincial capital, Haikou, on Wednesday.

Since Tuesday, people holding ordinary passports from countries with diplomatic relations with China have been able to enjoy visa-free travel to Hainan for up to 144 hours after visiting Hong Kong or Macao and joining a tour group of two or more people organized by a legally registered travel agency in Hong Kong or Macao, according to a notice issued by the National Immigration Administration.

Visitors must enter and exit as a group through designated open ports in Hainan, with activities limited to the province. The duration of stay will be calculated starting from the day after entry.

Liu said that with the introduction of the policy, he is confident that in the near future, Hainan will evolve into a globally recognized tourist destination and a haven for vacationers.

Zhen Zhigang, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Public Security Department, said the new policy is the latest measure taken by the immigration administration to support the comprehensive deepening of high-level opening-up in Hainan and to provide services for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

He added that the move aims to promote Hainan as a highland of openness with a favorable business environment, facilitate the economic development of Hong Kong and Macao, promote exchanges between the two special administrative regions and the Hainan Free Trade Port, and better integrate them into the national development framework.

"Hainan province boasts China's most favorable visa-free entry policy," Zhen said. "Currently, more than 80 percent of foreign tourists entering Hainan do so visa-free, making it the predominant method for foreigners visiting the tropical island."

Luo Zhengyu, deputy director of the Haikou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, said border inspection authorities are optimizing customs clearance procedures for tour groups, allowing travel agencies in Hong Kong or Macao to pre-declare by 4 pm the day before the groups' arrival and enjoy expedited customs clearance upon entry. When tour groups enter or exit, travel agency staff are permitted to enter the designated port area to pick them up or drop them off. The border inspection authorities are also providing conveniences such as exempting tour group members from the stamping of entry-exit endorsements and filling out foreigner entry cards, thereby reducing waiting times for customs clearance.

"The new policy, along with existing ones such as visa-free entry for citizens of 59 eligible countries and visa-free entry for foreign tour groups arriving by cruise ships, is generating a snowball effect, better catering to the diverse and personalized needs of foreign tourists visiting Hainan, promoting the formation of a more open, business-friendly and influential hub in the province," Luo said.

Mai Weiwen, CEO of Hainan Wenhua Tourism Group, said he expects the policy will attract people working and traveling in Hong Kong and Macao who have not yet benefited from Hainan's visa-free entry policy for 59 eligible countries.

"Our travel agency is enhancing our tourism products and preparing a reserve of foreign language tour guides for lesser-spoken languages, aiming to enhance the quality of services for tourists entering through the new policy and tourist attraction channel," he said.

A representative of the National Immigration Administration said on Tuesday that the administration will continue to optimize and improve regional visa-free entry policies, further advance the immigration management system, and more openly welcome foreign nationals to China.