On August 20, the National Immigration Administration issued an announcement stating that, starting August 20, 2026, citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam will be eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy and the 30-day visa-free entry policy in Hainan Province to travel to China. This brings the total number of countries eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 57 and the number of countries eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry policy in Hainan Province to 61.

Citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam holding ordinary passports and connecting tickets with confirmed dates and itineraries can transit through China to a third country or region visa-free through 65 open ports, including Beijing and Shanghai, and stay within the designated area for no more than 240 hours. Citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports can enter through open ports in Hainan Province and stay visa-free within the administrative region of Hainan Province for no more than 30 days. During their stay under the above two visa-free policies, they can engage in short-term activities such as tourism, trade, visits, and family visits. Activities requiring prior approval, such as work, study, and news reporting, still require visas to be obtained before arrival in China.

A relevant official from the National Immigration Administration stated that implementing visa-free policies for citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam is a pragmatic measure to steadily advance high-level opening-up and promote the building of a community with a shared future in the surrounding region. It will help further enhance mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides and facilitate more convenient and efficient tourism, trade, and investment. Going forward, the National Immigration Administration will coordinate development and security, resolutely maintain a standardized and orderly entry and exit management system, better promote personnel exchanges and international cooperation between China and foreign countries, and serve the country's high-level opening-up and high-quality development. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)