The National Immigration Administration (NIA) recently held a press conference to release the major data on immigration management in the first six months of 2024.

On the first day of the trial implementation of the visa-free policy for six countries including Switzerland, a port in Chongqing greets its first group of visitors having entered China without visas. [Photo by Zhang Shaobo]

From January to June, the immigration management authorities nationwide enhanced the integrated innovation and targeted provision of immigration management policies and systems, aiming to fully facilitate high-level openness and high-quality development. During the first half of this year, a total of 287 million exit-entry travelers were inspected, marking a 70.9-percent increase year-on-year. This figure encompassed 137 million residents from the Chinese mainland, 121 million residents from Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and the Taiwan region, and 29.22 million foreign nationals. Additionally, 15.419 million vehicles of transportation (including ships, trains, and cars) were inspected, reflecting a 56.9-percent increase year-on-year. Specifically, 405,000 airplanes, 211,000 ships, 50,000 trains, and 14.753 cars were involved. A total of 12.34 million ordinary passports were issued, demonstrating a year-on-year growth by 23.2 percent. A total of 46.152 million endorsements were made to the exit-entry documents for traveling to and from Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and the Taiwan region, indicating a 7.8-percent increase year-on-year. The number of the Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents and Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan Residents issued was 1,431,000, almost equaling the number recorded in the same period last year. The number of the port visas saw a year-on-year increase by 267.9 percent, with 686,000 visas issued. Moreover, a total of 388,000 stay and residence permits were issued for the foreign nationals in China, marking a 2.4-percent increase year-on-year. The China Immigration Service Hotline 12367 received over 2.718 million calls globally during this period, extending its services to over 100 countries and regions worldwide and achieving a 99.1-percent satisfaction rate.

The Dongjiang Immigration Inspection Station of Tianjin General Station of Immigration Inspection safeguards the entry of Costa Mediterranea. [Photo by Zeng Juerui]

From January to June, the immigration management authorities across China followed relevant laws to strictly crack down on crimes that obstruct frontier (border) management and take tougher measures against the foreign nationals illegally entering, residing in, or working in China. A total of 18,000 criminal cases obstructing frontier (border) management were investigated, resulting in the arrest of over 34,000 suspects. Among these individuals, more than 29,000 were placed under criminal coercive measures and over 4,800 were subjected to administrative investigation and penalties. A total of 105 transit and reception sites were dismantled and 699 vehicles of transportation involved in criminal cases were investigated and confiscated. Over 41,000 foreign nationals illegally entering, residing in, or working in China were investigated, leading to the deportation of over 10,000 individuals meeting legal conditions. The immigration management authorities tackled 298 drug-related cases involving 379 individuals, with 66 cases involving over 10,000 grams of drugs. In addition, 4.8 tons of various drugs were seized. Efforts to strictly combat illegal activities concerning firearms, ammunition, explosives, and smuggling at the border led to the seizure of 786 firearms, 26,000 bullets, and smuggled goods valued at CNY 640 million. All these efforts ensured national border security and stability and maintained the orderly administration of entry and exit procedures.

Border Control Branch of Pu'er of Yunnan General Station of Immigration Inspection publicly reports that it has resolved a drug trafficking case. [Photo by Zheng Zijing]