China Expands 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam

China has expanded its 240-hour visa-free transit program to include Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, according to state media reports published by CGTN. The inclusion brings the total number of eligible countries for the policy up, facilitating smoother short-term travel for international visitors moving through participating Chinese ports of entry.

Expansion Details and Eligible Nations

The addition of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam marks the latest update to China’s multi-day transit policy framework. Travelers from the newly added nations can now utilize the 240-hour window when transiting through designated regions, matching terms previously extended to a broader list of approved countries. According to CGTN, the policy is designed to boost regional mobility and ease temporary entry for eligible foreign nationals without requiring a traditional visa in advance.

Operational Scope of the Transit Program

The transit program allows qualifying visitors to stay in specified Chinese cities and provinces for up to 10 days while journeying onward to a third destination. Authorities regulate the program through specific entry and exit ports, requiring travelers to hold confirmed onward tickets and valid travel documents. The inclusion of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam extends these travel provisions to neighboring Central Asian and Southeast Asian corridors, streamlining cross-border movement under existing international transit regulations.