Recently, officials from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) stated that China’s rapid socioeconomic development has driven growing demand for cross-border travel among citizens. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the NIA implemented a series of innovative measures to address public needs, issuing over 300 million exit-entry documents to Chinese citizens. The number of valid ordinary passports held by citizens now exceeds 160 million.

1. Streamlining Passport Application Procedures

Building on existing initiatives like "One Visit for Completion" and "Nationwide Processing," the NIA launched a pilot "online-only application process" in May 2024 across 20 cities including Beijing and Shanghai. Eligible applicants can now renew or replace passports entirely online, achieving "zero in-person visits." The NIA will expand this pilot to more cities, further enhancing convenience for Chinese citizens traveling abroad.

2. Expanding Visa-Free Access

The NIA has collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure visa-free access to more countries. Since 2021, 10 additional countries—including Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia—have granted visa-free entry to Chinese passport holders. Currently, Chinese passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 90 countries and regions globally. According to international consultancy rankings, the Chinese passport’s global mobility score has risen from 72nd in 2021 to 60th, reflecting its growing "value."

3. 24/7 Global Consultation Services

The NIA operates the 12367 service platform, accessible via phone, website, app, and mini-program, to address public inquiries and feedback on immigration matters. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the platform handled over 480 million consultations for Chinese citizens worldwide, effectively resolving cross-border travel challenges.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong