China grants visa-free travel privileges to Kyrgyzstan citizens

Citizens of Kyrgyzstan now have expanded travel opportunities to China with the introduction of two new visa-free regimes, effective August 20, 2026. This development aims to facilitate short-term visits for tourism, business, visiting relatives, and private purposes.

The first new regime offers a 240-hour, or 10-day, visa-free transit for Kyrgyzstani passport holders. To qualify, travelers must enter China through one of 65 designated entry points, including major airports like Beijing and Shanghai, and possess a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. This allows for brief stopovers without the need for a visa, provided travelers remain within the designated transit areas.

Separately, citizens of Kyrgyzstan are now eligible for visa-free entry to the tropical island province of Hainan. Holders of ordinary Kyrgyz passports can enter Hainan through specific ports and stay for up to 30 days within the province's administrative boundaries. This initiative is expected to boost tourism and business interactions between Kyrgyzstan and Hainan.

However, these visa-free arrangements are not applicable for all activities. Individuals planning to travel to China for employment, study, or journalistic purposes must still obtain the appropriate Chinese visas in advance. With the addition of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, the number of countries eligible for the 240-hour transit visa-free regime has reached 57, while the count for Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry has grown to 61.