[Quick News] China Adds Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam to Visa-Free Travel Programs

Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined China's 240-hour transit visa-free policy and Hainan Province's 30-day visa-free entry program on Thursday.

Citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam can now enter China without a visa under the two separate programs, according to China's National Immigration Administration.

The move takes effect on Thursday. It brings the number of countries covered by the 240-hour transit visa-free policy to 57. The Hainan 30-day visa-free entry policy now covers 61 countries.

What travelers can do

Under the 240-hour policy, holders of ordinary passports from Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam can transit through China on their way to a third country or region. They need a connecting ticket with a confirmed date.

Travelers can enter through any of 65 open ports across 24 provinces, including Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao airports, as well as its international passenger seaport. They can stay up to 240 hours, or 10 days, within designated areas.

The Hainan policy works differently. Citizens of the two countries can enter through open ports in the southern Chinese province and stay up to 30 days anywhere on the island.

Both policies allow tourism, business trips, family visits and general visits. They do not cover work, study or journalism. Travelers planning those activities still need to apply for a visa before arrival, the immigration administration said.

The administration called the expansion part of a broader push to open China further to its neighbors and build trust and cooperation in the region.

Full list: 240-hour transit visa-free countries

Europe (40): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway

Americas (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand

Asia (9): Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan

Other visa-free options

Separately, all of China's open ports allow a 24-hour, visa-free transit stay for travelers from any country. Travelers must stay within the port's designated area or apply for temporary entry permission to leave it.

Check the current country list at nia.gov.cn before you travel – policies are occasionally extended or adjusted.