China: immigration

How many people cross China's borders?

China's border inspection agencies handled 499 million inbound and outbound trips in January to August 2026, 8.7% more than a year earlier, according to the National Immigration Administration.

Of these, 242 million were made by mainland Chinese residents, 196 million by residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and 61.29 million by foreign nationals, up 19.5%. The figures count crossings, not people, so one person making several trips is counted each time. In the first half of the year, crossings reached a record 369 million, the administration said in July.

Official sources: NIA: Border crossings, January to August 2026 · NIA: Cross-border trips, first half of 2026

How many foreigners enter China without a visa?

23.72 million foreign entries to China in January to August 2026 were made under visa-free policies, 77.6% of all foreign entries and 26.8% more than a year earlier, according to the National Immigration Administration.

China has several visa-free schemes, including regional ones. For example, nationals of 61 countries can visit Hainan Province for up to 30 days without a visa, according to the administration's guide to regional visa-free policies. Visa-free entry does not cover work or study.

Official sources: NIA: Border crossings, January to August 2026 · NIA: Regional visa-free entry policies

Where do foreign visitors to China come from?

South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Japan, Mongolia and Australia were the top ten countries of origin for foreign arrivals in China in the first half of 2026, according to the National Immigration Administration. Together they made up 62% of foreign entries.

Foreign nationals made 22.91 million entries in the first half, 20.4% more than a year earlier. The administration issued 991,000 visas and related documents to foreigners in the same period. Entry figures count trips, so frequent travellers are counted more than once.

Official sources: NIA: Cross-border trips, first half of 2026

How many refugees does China host?

China hosted 230 refugees and 482 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR's population statistics. The figures were 261 refugees and 553 asylum seekers at the end of 2024.

The figures are compiled by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and count people recognised as refugees or awaiting a decision. The National Immigration Administration is responsible for foreigners' entry and residence in China.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population statistics, China as host, 2025

How many Chinese people seek asylum abroad?

153,962 people from China were recognised as refugees in other countries at the end of 2025, and 99,716 were asylum seekers awaiting a decision, according to UNHCR's population statistics by origin.

The figures combine data from the countries where people have sought protection. Asylum seekers are counted until their claim is decided, so the number includes applications made in earlier years. Totals depend on how each host country records claims, and people who later gain citizenship drop out of the refugee count.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population statistics, refugees from China, 2025

How many foreigners live in China?

China had about 1.64 million international migrants in 2024, according to the World Bank's international migrant stock indicator, based on UN estimates. The figure was about 1.42 million in 2020 and 1.20 million in 2015.

The migrant stock counts people living in a country other than the one where they were born. Relative to China's population of about 1.4 billion, migrants make up around 0.1%.

Official sources: World Bank: International migrant stock, China

How many immigrants live in China?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in China at 0.1% in 2024. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1%, and China placed 28th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 189th of 193.

Are more people leaving China than arriving?

-268,126: that is net migration in China for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -1.04 million (2007) to -58,864 (2012). East Asia & Pacific median: -373; China is 30th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 186th of 193.

How many refugees does China host?

In 2025, the number of refugees in the country in China was 230, according to UNHCR. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 631, and China placed 10th highest of 18. World rank, highest first: 137th of 169.

How many refugees have fled China?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 153,962. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 212,911; its low point was 2005, at 124,086. It is 2nd highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 73. Worldwide: 21st of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to China?

In 2025, personal remittances received in China was 0.2% of GDP, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 0.3% of GDP; its low point was 2021, at 0.1% of GDP. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.2% of GDP; China is 13th highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 110th of 127.