Hangzhou’s international gateway has reached a new milestone: the city’s immigration checkpoint processed more than 5.3 million inbound and outbound travelers in 2025, marking an 11.6% year-on-year increase, according to data released by the city’s Immigration Office. The surge in passenger traffic was matched by a rise in air traffic - over 35,000 international flights were handled last year, up 8.53% from 2024. Passenger flights grew by 8.7%, while cargo operations climbed 9.0%, reflecting Hangzhou’s expanding role as a global logistics and travel hub.

This growth is largely attributed to China’s accelerated rollout of visa facilitation measures and Hangzhou’s proactive implementation of traveler-friendly reforms. In 2025, China unilaterally granted visa-free access to citizens from 48 countries, while its 240-hour transit visa exemption policy was extended to nationals of 55 countries. Hangzhou moved swiftly to operationalize these policies on the ground. For arriving passengers, a newly launched online entry card system now allows foreign travelers to complete immigration paperwork in advance, dramatically cutting wait times at the border. On the departure side, all 32 outbound inspection lanes are integrated with a homegrown AI-powered queue analytics platform. The system uses real-time data to dynamically adjust staffing and open additional lanes during peak hours, ensuring smooth and efficient clearance even at the busiest times.

To further enhance the traveler experience, the Immigration Office has deployed a volunteer squad fluent in over ten languages - including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Portuguese. They provide on-the-spot assistance with translation, policy guidance, and emergency support for both international and domestic passengers. The station has also activated “emergency fast-track channels” on multiple occasions for urgent cases - such as medical emergencies, time-sensitive departures, or international humanitarian missions - offering dedicated escorts, priority processing, and streamlined procedures to keep critical pathways open.

Looking ahead, Hangzhou International Airport is expecting around 240 international and regional flights during the 2026 New Year holiday period, serving approximately 36,000 passengers, averaging 12,000 travelers per day. Top destinations for outbound travelers include Hong Kong, Macao, Bangkok, Singapore, Jeju Island, and Seoul, with Almaty and Bandar Seri Begawan emerging as popular new choices for year-end getaways.