China Grants Visa-Free Entry to Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam Citizens

The National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China expanded its visa-free transit and entry policies on August 20, 2026, to include citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam. Under the new 240-hour transit program, ordinary passport holders with confirmed tickets to a third destination can enter through 65 designated ports and stay for up to 10 days. Additionally, citizens of both nations are now eligible for 30-day visa-free entry into Hainan Province.

These policies apply to tourism, business, and family visits, but specifically exclude employment, study, and journalism. The administration described the move as a practical measure to increase international openness and facilitate investment. The expansion follows the recent launch of new flight routes, including Air China's Beijing-Bishkek service in July and Aero Nomad's Bishkek-Urumqi route on August 3.

Government officials from both nations welcomed the decision. The Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic stated the measure would develop trade and tourism cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam noted the policy would deepen people-to-people exchanges. When questioned about reciprocal visa exemptions for Chinese citizens, Vietnamese spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng stated that both countries would continue working together to facilitate travel and trade.

These measures contribute to a broader trend of increasing inbound travel to China. The National Immigration Administration reported a record 369 million border crossings in the first half of 2026, with visa-free entries rising 30.6% year-on-year to over 17.8 million.