Core reading
In 2023, the total number of inspections for entry and exit personnel by the National Immigration Administration reached 424 million, an increase of 266.5% compared to the previous year. Behind the convenience and efficiency of “national-wide processing”, “collaborative inspections”, “instant customs clearance”, and other measures facilitating smoother personnel exchanges and interactions, lies the assurance of multiple facilitative policies for entry and exit. Since 2023, a series of innovative immigration management initiatives have been precisely targeted, continuously adapting to the fast-paced and high-frequency international exchanges and interactions, greatly promoting the flow of personnel between China and other countries, and enhancing the resilience of economic development.
Mainland tourists speaking various local dialects and families from Hong Kong and Macao traveling with their relatives to visit the Chinese mainland. Every day when the port opens, there is a continuous flow of people and vehicles traveling back and forth at the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Such bustling scenes are also happening at other entry and exit ports across our country.
It is learned that in 2023, the total number of inspections for entry and exit personnel by the National Immigration Administration reached 424 million, an increase of 266.5% compared to the previous year. Among them, there were 206 million trips made by mainland residents, 183 million trips made by residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and 35.478 million trips made by foreigners, representing increases of 218.7%, 292.8%, and 693.1% respectively compared to the previous period. Since 2023, a series of innovative immigration management measures have been precisely implemented, continuously adapting to the fast-paced and high-frequency international exchanges and interactions, greatly promoting the flow of personnel between China and other countries.
Innovative rapid inspection mode allowing for instant clearance for people and vehicles passing through
“Clearance is very convenient, and inspections can be completed in no time.” “It can automatically recognize Hong Kong and Macao license plates, and the application process is very simple.” ... Searching online for “Macao cars heading north” and “Hong Kong cars heading north,” the screen is filled with wonderful shares and interesting memories from residents of Hong Kong and Macao after their self-driving trips.
The Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is a necessary port of entry for “Hong Kong cars heading north” and “Macao cars heading north” clearance. The Zhuhai Immigration Inspection General Station of the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has optimized its inspection system, promoted data sharing, and created a convenient and comfortable clearance environment, attracting an increasing number of residents from Hong Kong and Macao to pass through the bridge port to enter the Chinese mainland, visit and consume, and engage in entrepreneurship and business activities on the west bank of the Pearl River. Nowadays, the scene of “taking a leisurely stroll in Guangdong with a tank of gas” has become the daily life of many residents of Hong Kong and Macao.
Deputy Director Lu Ning of the Immigration Inspection Division of the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge stated that since the implementation of the “Macao cars heading north” policy on January 1, 2023, and the “Hong Kong cars heading north” policy on July 1, 2023, the Zhuhai Immigration Inspection General Station has inspected over 1.5 million single-plate vehicles from Hong Kong and Macao, accounting for about 40% of the total entry and exit volume at the port since 2023.
As the Spring Festival holiday approaches, the number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong and Macao for sightseeing, as well as residents of Hong Kong and Macao returning to the Chinese mainland for family visits, is increasing day by day. "It is reported that the Zhuhai Immigration Inspection General Station has innovatively implemented a “collaborative inspection, single clearance” customs clearance inspection mode, allowing passengers to complete both border inspection procedures with “one queue”, achieving “instant clearance”, and ensuring rapid and convenient entry and exit for people during peak travel times.
The reform and innovation measures in immigration have been driving a steady increase in the number of people traveling between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao. The through-trip tours between Hong Kong and Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge are very popular, with an average of 2,000 to 3,000 visitors from various places received daily," said Wang Shaoxin, General Manager of Macao Global International Tourist Company Limited.
All policies and measures continue to yield dividends: In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, mainland cities are piloting the implementation of talent visa policies for people traveling between Hong Kong and Macao. 19,000 high-level professionals from the Greater Bay Area have been granted talent visas, accelerating talent exchanges and interactions in the Greater Bay Area. Immigration authorities have broken through the traditional functions of ports, supporting the gradual implementation of policies such as “flying through Zhuhai and Hong Kong” and bridge tourism. The daily traffic flow of vehicles entering and exiting the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has reached a historic high, making exchanges and interactions between mainland China and Hong Kong and Macao more convenient and efficient, and promoting better integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the overall development of the country.
Efficient customs clearance with precise efforts, creating a new overseas travel experience
At 00:00 on May 15, 2023, at the Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, with a command, the green indicator lights of the entire row of fast lanes lit up one by one. Passengers eligible for fast clearance lined up in an orderly manner, proceeded one after another, and the entire process was safe, orderly, and efficient.
Document scanning, facial recognition, fingerprint verification, with an average clearance time of no more than half a minute." "Very fast, very efficient!" exclaimed Chen Zhijun, the first Chinese citizen to experience fast clearance.
Starting from May 15, 2023, the National Immigration Administration further adjusted and optimized the policies and measures for entry and exit management, stimulating the vitality of personnel flow across borders.
Facial fingerprint detection, automatic front-facing facial image capture, video anti-tailing... The Beijing Immigration Inspection General Station has systematically renovated and upgraded the newly deployed fast lanes, ensuring that after the implementation of the policy, fast clearance is safer and more convenient.
“Following the prompts, it’s very simple,” said Ms. Li, who used the fast lane. She expressed that this clearance method is full of technological sophistication, providing a better clearance experience and avoiding long queues. It is reported that on the first day of the full resumption of fast-track clearance at Beijing ports, more than 11,500 passengers used the fast lanes for convenient clearance.
Solving the problem of obtaining certificates in different locations by breaking through regional restrictions. According to the adjusted and optimized immigration management measures, mainland residents can apply for ordinary passports, permits for Hong Kong and Macao, and visas for visiting relatives, group tourism, stays, and other purposes in Hong Kong or Macao at any exit and entry management window of any public security organ nationwide. Additionally, multiple services for mainland residents applying for permits to travel to Taiwan have been made available nationwide.
“Thank you to the immigration department for helping us obtain passports in such a short time, solving our urgent need.” Not long ago, the person in charge of Jiangxi Wuhu Xianghe Business Consulting Co., Ltd. contacted the Exit and Entry Administration Detachment of the Public Security Bureau of Nanchang City, stating that they needed to send employees abroad to participate in a trade fair. The departing individuals were registered in other provinces and had not yet obtained their exit and entry documents, so an expedited processing was requested. In accordance with immigration management policies such as “national-wide processing,” immigration police immediately opened a “green channel,” legally accelerating the approval process. The procedures were completed within two working days, securing valuable time for the company to participate in business activities abroad.
While implementing the “national-wide processing” policy, immigration management agencies across the country have innovatively introduced measures to assist enterprises in “going global.” They have set up “special service windows for enterprise assistance,” opened “green channels,” and started from aspects such as appointment consultation, acceptance and approval, and document mailing to support foreign-related enterprises and important foreign-related projects in smoothly “setting sail for overseas.”
Optimizing visa and residence permit policies, foreigners visiting or residing in China now enjoy more convenient access
“This transit took at least 30 minutes less than last time.” Russian traveler Andrei praised the policy of exemption from inspection while transiting. On January 11th, at the transit area of Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan, 21 overseas passengers from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, who were transferring to a third country, collected their tickets for the next flight segment at the check-in counter in the transit area. After completing security checks, they boarded the plane and departed directly. They are the first group of passengers at Tianfu International Airport to enjoy the new policy of 24-hour direct transit without inspection.
Foreign nationals holding international connecting flights within 24 hours are eligible for direct transit without border inspection procedures at nine international airports including Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, and Chengdu Tianfu, when traveling to a third country or region. This is one of the five measures introduced by the National Immigration Administration to facilitate foreign nationals entering China.
“Traveling is convenient, and the clearance process is fast.” Recently, Oliver, a German national who arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport, experienced the port visa policy and praised the simple visa application process and the smooth and comfortable entry process. Since relaxing the conditions for foreigners to apply for port visas to China, the order at the immigration checkpoint of the Capital Airport is orderly, the clearance process is simple and efficient, and the efficiency of entry and exit personnel passage is guaranteed.
Since 2023, the National Immigration Administration has provided convenience for foreigners by offering port visas and multiple-entry visas issued within the country. They have gradually restored passenger clearance at waterway ports, fully resumed the entry and exit of international cruise passengers, restored the transit visa-free policy and expanded its application to a wider range of countries, provided convenient services for talent attraction and intelligence introduction, etc. These series of measures have achieved solid results, ensuring smooth channels for foreigners to come to China.
On December 1, 2023, the new version of the Permanent Residence Identity Card for Foreigners was officially issued and put into use. The new version of the card, also known as the “Five-Star Card,” is more secure, aesthetically pleasing, and practical.
Hans, the technical manager of Habia Cable Changzhou Ltd., has applied for the first “Five-Star Card” issued in Jiangsu Province, looking forward to integrating more deeply into the development of China. Hans said, “The ‘Five-Star Card’ will provide me with more convenience in my life and travel in China.”
The relevant person in charge of the National Immigration Administration stated that the issuance and use of the “Five-Star Card” is an important measure of the National Immigration Administration to ensure high-level openness of the country and enhance the informatization level of management services for foreigners in China. This initiative is conducive to better serving overseas talents in investing, establishing businesses, innovating, developing, working, and living in China, and making more contributions to the high-quality development of China’s economy and society.
“As China continues to expand its opening up, more and more Chinese people are going abroad, while more foreigners are coming to China for trade, tourism, work, study, and living. Immigration management agencies will always adhere to the overall planning of high-quality development and high-level security. While safeguarding and promoting the exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign personnel and the exchanges between China and foreign countries, and lawfully safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of foreigners in China, we will continue to deepen immigration management reform and innovation, introduce more convenient policies and measures, and accelerate the pace of opening up the immigration management service system.” The relevant person in charge of the National Immigration Administration stated.
