Effective 20 August 2026, China extended visa‑free entry privileges to ordinary passport holders from Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam under two separate schemes.
240‑Hour Visa‑free Transit Policy
- Applies to travelers with confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region.
- Allows entry through any of 65 designated ports and a stay of up to 240 hours (10 days) in approved areas.
- The policy now covers 57 countries worldwide, including Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.
Hainan 30‑Day Visa‑free Entry Policy
- Available to visitors arriving via Hainan’s international ports.
- Permits a stay of up to 30 days within Hainan Province without a visa.
- The eligible‑country list expands to 61 countries with the inclusion of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.
Permitted and Excluded Activities
- Permitted: tourism, short‑term business visits, family reunions.
- Not permitted: employment, formal study, journalistic work, or any activity requiring a work or study visa. Those seeking such purposes must obtain the appropriate visa in advance.
Policy Objectives
- Supports China’s “high‑standard opening‑up” strategy and strengthens mutual trust with neighboring states.
- Reduces administrative barriers, facilitating frequent people‑to‑people exchanges across land borders with Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.
- Aims to boost bilateral tourism consumption, trade communication, and investment cooperation, while expanding market access for foreign enterprises.
- Fills regional coverage gaps in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, improving the overall layout of China’s transit and tourist entry framework.
Regulatory Safeguards
- Visa‑free privileges are limited to short‑term, legal stays; China maintains strict border‑risk controls and robust regulatory measures to ensure orderly management.
- Individuals or corporations seeking long‑term residence, employment, study, or sustained business settlement must follow dedicated immigration procedures and obtain the appropriate visas.
These changes provide immediate, short‑term travel convenience for Kyrgyz and Vietnamese citizens while preserving China’s broader immigration and security controls.
Source article: newlandchase.com
