Wuhan to start 72-hour visa-free transit policy

Foreigners can enjoy a 72-hour transit visa exemption in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, starting March 2015, following the lead of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Dalian and Shenyang.

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WTIA) now allows 24-hour visa exemptions in a closed-off area of the airport. After the policy takes effect, travelers from the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea and Singapore en route to a third country via WTIA with a third-country visa and outbound ticket are allowed to tour Wuhan for up to 72 hours.

According to Hubei Airport Group Company, there are 31 international air routes to date. To encourage airlines to launch more international routes in Wuhan, the company will offer favorable policies. Adding to the planned Wuhan-Australia routes, direct flights between Wuhan and Chicago as well as Wuhan and Dubai are expected to be launched in 2015.

In 2014, Beijing welcomed over 40,000 overseas tourists en route to a third country without a Chinese visa after the city began a 72-hour visa-free transit policy, a considerable growth against the previous year. Similarly, the number of overseas tourists via Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport grew by 8 percent.

Wuhan plans to promote 72-hour tourism marketing by offering two- or three-day excursions and opening more international routes to attract more overseas tourists via Wuhan.