China Expands Visa-Free Entry Programs for Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam Nationals

• On August 20, 2026, China announced the expansion of its visa-free entry or transit permissions to include nationals of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.  

Visa-Free Entry Programs for Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam Nationals 

China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that, effective August 20, 2026, nationals of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam are eligible for both China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy and Hainan Province’s 30-day visa-free entry policy. 

As a result of the change: 

• The number of countries eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy increases to 57. 
• The number of countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to Hainan Province increases to 61. 

What Are the Changes? 

Under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, nationals of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam holding ordinary passports and onward passenger tickets with confirmed travel dates and itineraries to a third country or region may enter China without a visa through any of the country’s 65 designated ports of entry, including those in Beijing and Shanghai. 

Eligible travelers may remain within the designated areas for up to 240 hours (10 days). 

Additionally, nationals of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam holding ordinary passports may enter Hainan Province through its open ports of entry and remain within the administrative region of Hainan for up to 30 days without a visa.

Permitted Activities 

Under both visa-free programs, eligible travelers may participate in short-term activities such as: 

• Tourism 
• Business activities 
• Personal visits 
• Family visits 

Travelers intending to engage in activities requiring prior authorization, including employment, study or news reporting, must continue to obtain the appropriate visa before traveling to China. 

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