China Expands 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 57 Countries

China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on August 20 that citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam are now eligible for the 240-hour transit visa-free policy and the Hainan 30-day visa-free entry policy, bringing the total number of countries covered by the transit program to 57. The announcement, made via Xinhua News, took effect immediately on the same day.

Policy Details

Under the expanded policy, citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam holding ordinary passports with confirmed onward tickets and fixed itineraries can enter China visa-free through any of 65 open ports, including Beijing and Shanghai, when transiting to a third country or region. They may stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) within designated areas, according to the NIA’s official announcement.

Additionally, citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports can enter through any open port in Hainan Province and stay for up to 30 days within the province’s administrative region. This brings the Hainan 30-day visa-free entry policy to 61 eligible countries.

During the visa-free stay, travelers can engage in short-term activities such as tourism, business, visits, and family visits. However, activities requiring prior approval—including work, study, and news reporting—still require proper visas before arrival, the NIA explained.

Broader Opening-Up Strategy

An NIA official described the expansion as a “practical measure to steadily advance high-level opening-up and promote the building of a community with a shared future for neighboring countries,” noting that it will facilitate tourism, trade, visits, and investment between China and the newly added nations.

The move is part of China’s systematic efforts to broaden its visa-free policies. In December 2024, China fully relaxed and optimized its visa-free transit policy, extending the stay duration from 72/144 hours to 240 hours and expanding the number of open ports from 39 to 60, as documented by the State Council. In June 2025, Indonesia was added to the program, bringing the total to 55 countries as part of efforts to deepen exchanges with ASEAN, VietnamPlus reported.

Beyond the transit program, China has implemented a broader suite of visa facilitation measures. As of February 2026, citizens from 50 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under unilateral visa exemption policies. China also maintains mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries and offers regional policies including cruise ship group visa-free entry and ASEAN group tours to Xishuangbanna and Guilin, according to NIA policy documents.

Tourism Impact and Economic Significance

The policy expansion comes amid a significant surge in inbound tourism to China. In 2024, international travelers made 64.88 million cross-border trips to China, an 82.9% year-on-year increase, with more than 20 million visa-free entries—a 112.3% jump. In the first three quarters of 2025, China recorded 20.89 million visa-free inbound visits by foreign nationals, up more than 50% year-on-year, People’s Daily reported.

Since the 240-hour transit visa-free program launched in December 2024, inbound foreign visitors through ports nationwide reached 40.6 million, a 27.2% year-on-year increase. The World Travel & Tourism Council has predicted that China’s tourism industry will grow at an average annual rate of 7% over the next decade, positioning the country to become the world’s largest tourism market by 2031.

Analysis and Forward Look

The addition of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam reflects China’s strategic focus on strengthening ties with neighboring countries and ASEAN partners. Vietnam, in particular, represents a significant tourism market with strong demand for travel to China, while Kyrgyzstan’s inclusion extends the program deeper into Central Asia.

The expansion also signals China’s continued commitment to using visa liberalization as a tool for economic diplomacy and soft power projection. As Global Times noted, the policy is expected to boost bilateral cooperation and enhance people-to-people connections across the region.

Looking ahead, observers will be watching whether China continues to expand the eligible country list, potentially adding more nations from Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East. The NIA has indicated it will continue to optimize entry-exit policies to serve the country’s high-level opening-up and high-quality development goals, suggesting further liberalization may be on the horizon.

For travelers from the newly eligible countries, the policy provides unprecedented access to China’s major cities and economic hubs. With 65 open ports across 24 provinces, the 240-hour transit visa-free program now offers one of the most extensive visa-free transit frameworks in the world, cementing China’s position as a leading destination for international travel and business.