Hunan's public security authorities handled visa affairs for 57,000 foreign tourist groups totaling 743,000 tourist arrivals during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), ranking first nationwide in visa processing. The news was announced at a press conference held on December 1, 2025.

At the conference, a representative from the Public Security Department of Hunan Province outlined the province's achievements during the five-year period. In terms of optimizing public security administrative services, Hunan's public security authorities have streamlined permanent residency procedures for high-level domestic and international talents. The province pioneered the establishment of a one-stop service center for foreigners working in China, creating an integrated review and approval process. Concurrently, Hunan has continued to deepen household registration system reforms, easing household registration restrictions.

Over the past five years, Hunan's public security authorities have extended the visa-free transit period at Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport from 144 hours to 240 hours. The authorities have rolled out various service measures, including implementing mutual recognition of registration records between Changsha and Zhangjiajie ports and easing visa registration requirements. Meanwhile, the province made improvements in launching online processing and one-stop services for visa affairs for foreign tourist groups, allowing travel agencies to submit documents online and significantly improving processing efficiency.

Measures have been taken to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into China, while entry-exit services for residents have also been streamlined. Currently, residents both within and outside Hunan Province can apply for passports and travel permits to and from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan at any entry-exit administration service window in Hunan. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Hunan issued a total of 141,700 entry-exit documents to residents from other provinces.

Changsha has actively promoted online services for public convenience. Starting November 20 of this year, Changsha was included in the second batch of cities enabling residents to renew and reissue their passports, as well as travel documents to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan via an online platform. Eligible applicants can now apply online for the renewal or reissuance of these entry-exit documents, achieving the goal of processing such documents without requiring a single in-person visit.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Chinanews