By Rachel Wu, August 21, 2026
Travelers from Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan now have a lot more room to explore China between flights.
From August 20, citizens of both countries can use China’s 10-day visa-free transit policy, bringing the number of eligible countries to 57.
Travelers with ordinary passports and confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region can enter through 65 designated ports and stay within permitted areas for up to 10 days.
Image of Beijing, Guangzhou & Shanghai via Pexels
That is plenty of time to turn a connection into a few nights eating through Guangzhou, a Beijing weekend, or a Shanghai stop on a longer Asian trip.
For those with more time and a beach holiday in mind, there is Hainan…
Image of Hainan via Pexels
Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan have also joined Hainan’s 30-day visa-free entry policy, bringing the list to 61 countries.
Eligible travelers can enter Hainan through international ports and stay in the province for up to 30 days without a visa.
READ MORE: Understanding Hainan’s Visa-Free Entry Policy
The convenience does not yet work both ways.
Chinese ordinary passport holders still require visas for both Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan, although both offer relatively accessible e-visa options.
Phu Quoc is one sunny exception: eligible Chinese travelers can visit the Vietnamese island visa-free for up to 30 days.
From a 10-day city stopover to a month by the sea, China has become considerably easier to work into the itinerary for travelers from two more neighboring countries.
READ MORE: China Extends 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to 46 Countries Through 2026
Who Qualifies?
1-Day Visa-Free Transit — 57 Countries
| Region | Eligible Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe (40) |
Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
| Americas (6) | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States |
| Oceania (2) | Australia, New Zealand |
| Asia (9) |
Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam |
Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry — 61 Countries
| Region | Eligible Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe (40) |
Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Americas (6) | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States |
| Oceania (2) | Australia, New Zealand |
| Asia (13) |
Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam |
*Source: National Immigration Administration / Xinhua. The updated lists took effect on August 20, 2026.
[Cover image via Pexels]
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