China Hits Record 369 Million Border Crossings in H1 2026

China recorded 369 million entry-exit trips in the first half of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 10.8% and a new all-time high, according to data released by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on July 10. The figure signals a robust post-pandemic recovery in cross-border mobility, driven significantly by China’s expanded unilateral visa-free policies.

Context & Background

China’s borders were among the last major economies to fully reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2023. Since then, the government has pursued a deliberate strategy of visa liberalization to stimulate inbound tourism, business travel, and broader economic activity. In December 2024, China upgraded its transit visa-free policy from 144 to 240 hours (10 days), allowing eligible travelers to move across 24 provincial-level regions. By November 2025, the unilateral visa-free policy had been extended to cover 45 countries through the end of 2026.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the NIA reported that visa-free foreign entries surged 30.6% year-on-year to reach 17.815 million, accounting for 77.7% of all foreign entries into the country.

Key Developments

Of the 369 million total trips, mainland Chinese residents accounted for 176 million, while residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan made 147 million trips. Foreign nationals contributed 45.906 million crossings, a 20.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Inbound foreigners specifically reached 22.914 million, up 20.4%.

The China News Service reported that the top 10 source countries for inbound foreign travelers were South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Japan, Mongolia, and Australia — together accounting for 62% of all foreign entries.

The NIA also reported inspecting 20.844 million transportation vehicles, up 17.1% year-on-year, and issuing 10.392 million passports and 991,000 foreign visa documents during the period.

Analysis & Implications

The record-breaking figures reflect a deliberate policy push by Beijing to convert “entry-exit flow” into “economic increment,” as the NIA stated in its press release. The agency has been promoting broader and deeper immigration policy innovation, including pilot programs for online hotel registration for foreigners in seven provinces and a new “joint inspection, one-time clearance” model at Huanggang port.

The surge in cross-border travel has broader economic implications. Beijing alone recorded 2.667 million inbound tourists in the first five months of 2026, up 35.3% year-on-year, while the China-Laos Railway saw cross-border passenger traffic grow over 30% in H1 2026. Chinese passport holders now have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 90 countries, further fueling outbound travel demand.

What’s Next

The NIA has signaled its intention to continue expanding visa facilitation measures, though the current unilateral visa-free policy for 45 countries is set to expire on December 31, 2026. Whether the policy will be made permanent or further expanded remains an open question. Meanwhile, the agency’s dual approach — facilitating legitimate travel while cracking down on illegal border activities — is likely to continue, with the NIA reporting 11,400 border-related crime cases and 4.37 tons of drugs seized in the first half of the year.

As China’s travel recovery surpasses pre-pandemic levels, the world will be watching to see whether these mobility gains translate into sustained economic growth and deeper international engagement.