湖南迎首位10天过境免签外籍旅客

On December 21st, at 2:30 AM, Josephine King, a Canadian passenger on flight D7352, successfully completed customs clearance at Changsha Huanghua International Airport. Ms. King became the first foreign national to benefit from the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.

12月21日凌晨2时30分，加拿大籍旅客约瑟芬·金（音译）乘坐D7352次国际航班抵达长沙黄花国际机场，随后顺利办理通关手续，成为湖南口岸首位享受240小时过境免签政策的外籍旅客。

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on December 17 that it would fully relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy, effective immediately. The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days). Additionally, 21 ports of entry and exit have been added for visa-free transit individuals, further expanding the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers. Eligible individuals from 54 eligible countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada, traveling from China to a third country (region), can enter visa-free through any of the 60 open ports including Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport.

国家移民管理局12月17日发布公告，即日起全面放宽优化过境免签政策，将过境免签外国人在境内停留时间由原72小时和144小时均延长为240小时，同时新增21个口岸为过境免签人员入出境口岸，并进一步扩大停留活动区域。符合条件的俄罗斯、巴西、英国、美国、加拿大等54国人员，从中国过境前往第三国（地区），可从包括长沙、张家界口岸在内的60个对外开放口岸免签入境。

A spokesperson for the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection noted that under the updated policy, the permitted stay for eligible passengers entering China through Changsha Huanghua International Airport has been extended from 72 hours to 240 hours. Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in Hunan Province is among the 21 newly added ports for visa-free transit. By December 17, Hunan had recorded nearly 470,000 inbound foreign visits, up 163.4% year on year. Visa-free entries accounted for 180,000 of these visits, representing a remarkable 868% year-on-year growth.

湖南边检总站相关负责人介绍，湖南省原在长沙口岸适用的72小时过境免签延长为240小时，新增张家界口岸为过境免签人员入出境口岸。据统计，截至12月17日，湖南口岸全年入境外国人近47万人次，同比增长163.4%。其中通过免签入境的达18万人次，同比增长868%。

So far, Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport have each designated a dedicated area for filling out applications for temporary entry permits. Security officers are on duty to provide services on-site, ensuring a smooth custom clearance for passengers.

目前，长沙口岸、张家界口岸已划定“临时入境许可申请”专区，安排民警靠前服务，提高旅客通关体验。