NIA: 499 Million Border Crossings in Jan–Aug, Visa-free Foreign Entries Up 26.8%
According to the National Immigration Administration, border inspection authorities recorded 499 million inbound and outbound trips in January–August 2026, up 8.7% year on year, with 23.72 million visa-free entries by foreigners, accounting for 77.6% of foreign entries and up 26.8%.
According to the National Immigration Administration (NIA), from January to August 2026, border inspection authorities nationwide inspected a cumulative 499 million inbound and outbound trips, up 8.7% year on year; of these, mainland residents accounted for 242 million trips, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents 196 million, and foreigners 61.287 million, up 10%, 8.9% and 19.5% respectively. Among inbound foreigners, visa-free entries reached 23.72 million, accounting for 77.6% and up 26.8% year on year.
A cumulative 28.148 million inbound and outbound transport vehicles (aircraft, trains, vessels and motor vehicles) were inspected, up 15% year on year; of these, aircraft accounted for 665,000 movements, trains 75,000, vessels 306,000 and motor vehicles 27.102 million, up 0.5%, 5.6%, 4.1% and 15.6% respectively.
A relevant official of the National Immigration Administration said that next the administration will continue to promote innovation in immigration management policies and systems, actively help optimize the regional opening-up layout, innovate and improve border inspection modes, greatly enhance the efficiency of government services, continuously improve the port clearance efficiency of people, goods and transport vehicles, and help convert larger “inbound and outbound flows” into greater “economic growth.”
Reference significance for charter travel: Visa-free foreign entries up 26.8% year on year and accounting for 77.6% of inbound foreigners reflect a continued upward trend in inbound tourism demand and facilitation, and are important demand-side background data for the international source markets and route layout of charters.
(This article is compiled from materials publicly released on the National Immigration Administration website.)