As south China's Hainan Province prepares to officially launch its island-wide independent customs operation next Thursday, streamlined entry procedures have already been put in place to welcome the influx of international visitors.
To facilitate the transition, a series of visa exemption and passenger flow facilitation policies have been rolled out since July. Travelers from 86 countries can now enter Hainan without a visa.
The streamlined entry procedures have significantly shortened the clearance time for international travelers. Amanda, a tourist from Australia, reported that it took her only about 15 minutes to complete the entire immigration process upon arrival.
"I'm super excited to come to Hainan for the first time. I have had the best experience coming through immigration here," she said.
Other international arrivals emphasized the island's growing reputation as a haven for openness in trade and business
"I know that it's more friendly for taxes and for businesses to come and set up. They want to have (these businesses) come to Hainan, which is good. It's good for China to do that," said an American tourist.
Along with the policy changes, border inspection facilities have also been upgraded with greater capacity and smart technology to improve efficiency.
"We have added 17 inspection lanes at the port, equipped with 55 sets of specialized equipment. Additionally, an intelligent inspection assistance system and a passenger flow monitoring system have been developed, improving both port clearance capacity and transit efficiency," said Wang Jian, deputy head of the immigration inspection station at Sanya Phoenix International Airport.
For travelers from countries not covered by the visa-free policy or those with urgent needs, Hainan offers favorable on-site and online visa services.
"We issue port visas in eight categories, including group tourism, trade, and talent. These visas can be applied on-site at the port and allow for a stay of up to 30 days within China," said Wang Xiwen, an officer at the immigration inspection station of Haikou Meilan International Airport.
These measures have also given a clear boost to cross-border tourism, particularly for countries in the region.
"We are responsible for the Vietnamese market, and the convenience of this visa policy provides significant support for us to expand our market and develop our customer base," said a staff member at a travel agency.
By Friday, the total number of inbound and outbound travelers in Hainan had reached 2.47 million this year. Among them, 548,000 foreigners entered under the visa-free policy, accounting for 89.6 percent of all inbound foreign travelers.
Hainan streamlines entry procedures for int'l travelers ahead of independent customs operation
