Measures Have Been Taken in Fuzhou to Implement the Visa-free Policy for Foreigners in Transit

The National Immigration Bureau issued an announcement on December 17,fully relaxing and optimizing the transit visa-free policy from now on, and extending the stay time of transit visa-free foreigners in China from 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours. At the same time, 21 new ports have been added as entry and exit ports for transit visa-free personnel, including Fuzhou Changle International Airport. On December 19,the Fuzhou Municipal Government held a press conference to introduce a series of measures to implement the visa-free policy for foreigners in transit in Fuzhou.

Optimize mobile payment

Promote inbound consumption

According to reports, in order to promote the better, faster and better implementation of the transit visa-free policy, Fuzhou has formulated and promulgated the "Work Plan for the Implementation of the Transit Visa-free Policy for Foreigners in Fuzhou" to further optimize customs clearance at ports, upgrade the consumption environment, promote tourism publicity, etc. Promote the better, faster and better implementation of the transit visa-free policy.

Fuzhou will further upgrade its services, promote entry-exit facilitation services, and continuously optimize supporting services such as mobile payment, accommodation registration and ticket purchase in scenic spots, so as to make the experience of foreigners coming to Fuzhou more comfortable and convenient, promote the integration of business, culture, sports and health, and promote the development of tourism, business, catering, accommodation, transportation, retail and other industries. Fuzhou will build an international tourist experience place that conforms to the consumption concept of overseas tourists, cultivate a number of high-end brand stores that are in line with international standards, and build a number of key catering hotels, supermarkets and pedestrian streets with high standards to better meet the consumption needs of inbound tourists.

Complete relevant equipment

Make passenger clearanceconvenient

In terms of optimizing customs clearance at ports, hardware construction will be strengthened. Through the transformation of the customs clearance process of the 240-hour transit visa-free policy at Fuzhou Airport, a transit visa-free counter window will be set up at the entry hall of the border inspection, and relevant equipment will be equipped to realize 240-hour transit visa-free procedures and passengers' quick customs clearance collection and filing functions to meet the application needs of passengers.

In terms of software construction, through the research and development of management inquiry system, it is ensured that the border inspection authorities can track the stay and exit of visa-free foreigners temporarily entering the port in China in real time, and timely find out abnormal situations such as overstay and overstay. At the same time, strengthen service guarantee and internal training to ensure the best service for international tourists.

Set up duty-free shops in the city

Meet consumer demand

In terms of upgrading the consumption environment, Fuzhou obtained the qualification to set up duty-free shops in the city in August this year. At present, it is actively carrying out the work of establishing the business entity of duty-free shops in the city and preparing for opening, so as to provide convenient and efficient duty-free goods services for departing passengers.

The duty-free shops in Fuzhouwill form a two-way linkage effect with the 240-hour transit visa-free policy. At that time, foreigners who come to Fuzhou for transit will not only be able to buy duty-free goods with good quality and low price in Fuzhou’s duty-free shops, but also be able to select Fujian goods with local characteristics.

Shoot promotional videos

Show the image of Fuzhou

As for the promotion of tourism, an inbound tourism promotion videowas filmed, which comprehensively displayed Fuzhou’s natural landscape, history and humanities, entry and exit policies, and portable payment, and further displayed the image of a blessed city. The Chinese and English versions of Fuzhou Travel Route Brochure and Fuzhou Tourism Map were issued, and the Fuzhou Inbound Tourism Service Guide and Several Measures for Promoting Inbound Tourism in Fuzhou (Trial) were issued to provide the most intuitive Fuzhou tourism guidance for inbound tourists.

In addition, Fuzhou will give full play to the role of foreign exchange windows such as Maritime Silk Road International Tourism Center and Fuzhou Tourism Consulting Service Center, provide foreigners with convenient services such as consultation and payment, and expand inbound tourism consumption.

Extended reading

The number of ports suitable for opening to the outside world has increased from 39 to 60.

Theembryonic form of the current “transit visa-free” policy comes from the Law of People’sRepublic of China (PRC) on Exit and Entry Administration, which came into effect on July 1, 2013.

After the policy upgrade and optimization, the stay time of transit visa-free foreigners in China has been extended from 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days), and the number of ports open to the outside world has increased from 39 to 60, and the stay area has been further expanded. Eligible personnel from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States and Canada, who transit from China to a third country (region), can enter the country visa-free from any of the 60 ports open to the outside world in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and stay in the specified area for no more than 240 hours. (Fuzhou Daily reporter Zhang Tieguo)