According to the Municipal Administration of Commerce, the National Immigration Administration announced on December 17, 2024 that Harbin Taiping International Airport would implement a 240 hour visa free transit policy, and the stay in Heilongjiang Province would be within the municipal administrative area of Harbin.

On December 17, the National Immigration Administration announced that it would fully relax and optimize the visa free transit policy, and extend the stay time of visa free transit for foreigners in China from 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days) from December 17. Effective immediately, 21 additional ports have been designated for visa-free entry and exit, and the areas in which transit travelers can stay have been expanded.

Under the updated policy, eligible citizens from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States and Canada, can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region. These travelers may now enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provinces (regions, cities), regions and municipalities and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours.

This policy extends the visa free transit stay of citizens from 54 countries who originally entered Harbin with a joint-way ticket to a third country or region with a date and seat confirmed within 72 hours from 72 hour (3 day) to 240 hours (10 days), expands the current applicable scope from 19 provinces to 24 provinces, increases the applicable ports of entry from 39 to 60, and allows visa free transit foreigners to travel across provinces within the scope of the policy.

According to this policy, Harbin is incorporated into the foreign tourism flow network in China, providing more travel options for tourism, trade and economy in Harbin. With the upcoming Asian Winter Games Harbin, the effective date of the policy coincides with the peak season for ice and snow tourism in Harbin. The overlapping effect of the "Ice and Snow Season + Asian Winter Games + Visa Free Policy" undoubtedly brings significant development opportunities for further enhancing the international image of "Erbin", continuing the popularity of "Going Out of the Circle" to "Going Abroad", and is of great significance for Harbin to build a consumption center city in Northeast Asia.