马年新春迎新政！多部门联手保障“入境第一站”平稳畅通

Core Points - China has expanded its visa-free policy to include travelers from Canada and the UK, effective February 17, 2026, allowing them to stay for up to 30 days without a visa [1][4][19] - The influx of travelers is expected to boost the tourism market during the Chinese New Year, with an average of 113,000 travelers expected daily at Shanghai Pudong Airport [17] Visa-Free Policy Expansion - The new visa-free policy allows ordinary passport holders from Canada and the UK to enter China for business, tourism, family visits, and transit without a visa for up to 30 days [1][4] - This policy is part of China's broader strategy to enhance international tourism and facilitate easier access for foreign visitors [19] Increased Traveler Volume - The number of foreign travelers entering China has significantly increased, with over 490 million total entries recorded at Shanghai Pudong Airport by February 17, 2026, including more than 600,000 foreign nationals, a 29% increase from the previous year [17][19] - The visa-free policy is expected to further increase the number of foreign visitors, contributing to a vibrant tourism market during the Spring Festival [17] Efficient Customs and Immigration Services - Shanghai Pudong Airport has implemented advanced technologies and services to streamline customs and immigration processes, including real-time tracking of flight dynamics and passenger flow [6][11] - The airport has established a 24/7 immigration service hotline and a volunteer service team to assist foreign travelers in multiple languages, enhancing the overall travel experience [10][8] Enhanced Tax Refund Services - The airport has introduced self-service tax refund terminals to expedite the process for departing travelers, significantly reducing wait times and improving efficiency [15][16] - Last year, Pudong Airport handled over half of the national tax refund business, and this year, efforts are being made to optimize cloud collaboration for faster service [15]