Since August 20, 2026, Kyrgyz citizens have been able to stay in China visa-free for up to 240 hours, equivalent to 10 days. This became possible thanks to Kyrgyzstan's inclusion in the expanded visa-free transit program of the State Administration of Immigration of the People's Republic of China. At the same time, Kyrgyz citizens have been granted the right to visit Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days.
Kyrgyzstan has welcomed Beijing's decision. Sagynbek Abdumutalip, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, stated that these easing restrictions should promote trade, tourism, and strengthen ties between citizens of the two countries.
However, the new rules have an important stipulation: the 10-day regime does not constitute a complete visa-free regime for ordinary travel to mainland China.
**The main condition is a third country**
The program is officially called the "240-hour visa-free transit policy." A Kyrgyz citizen with a standard passport can enter China without a visa if they are traveling to a third country or region after China. This requires a confirmed ticket with a specific date and itinerary for the onward journey.
For example, the following routes are possible:
* Bishkek → Shanghai → Almaty → Bishkek
* Bishkek → Beijing → Tashkent → Osh
These are the options cited by the Kyrgyz Presidential Administration.
The presence of a third country is crucial: the standard Bishkek → Beijing → Bishkek route alone does not meet the 240-hour transit requirements.
Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that China has completely waived visas for Kyrgyz citizens for ten days.
**Entry is possible through 65 checkpoints**
Kyrgyz citizens have gained access to 65 international border crossing points in 24 regions of China covered by the 240-hour transit program.
These include airports in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major Chinese cities, as well as certain sea, road, and rail crossings. After passing border control, travelers can leave the airport and remain in the permitted area.
This distinguishes the 240-hour program from the standard 24-hour visa-free transit, which significantly limits travel outside the transit area.
A stay in China under the new program is limited to 240 hours.
**Tourism is permitted – it's not just a transfer at the airport**
Despite the word "transit," travelers are not required to remain at the airport the entire time or directly transfer.
During the permitted period, Kyrgyz citizens will be able to travel, conduct business, make private visits, and visit relatives within the territories covered by the program. This means that the ten-day transit can effectively be used for a full-fledged tourist trip to China, provided the itinerary is carefully planned through a third country.
However, work, study, journalistic activity, and other activities requiring special permission from the Chinese authorities still require obtaining the appropriate visa in advance.
**Hainan – separate regime and up to 30 days**
For those wishing to vacation on Hainan, the conditions are even simpler.
Since August 20, citizens of Kyrgyzstan with regular passports have been able to enter the island visa-free and stay there for up to 30 days. Along with Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam has been included in the program. Following this expansion, the list of countries whose citizens can use Hainan's special regime has increased to 61.
Unlike the 240-hour transit, the Hainan regime does not require a mandatory trip to a third country.
However, free travel throughout mainland China under the Hainan visa-free regime is not possible: this regime is limited to the administrative territory of Hainan Province. This is precisely the principle established by Chinese immigration regulations for the regional visa-free regime.
Hainan permits short-term trips for tourism, business, and private purposes, visiting relatives, receiving medical treatment, and participating in exhibitions and sporting events. A visa is required for employment and long-term study.
**Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added simultaneously**
Prior to this decision, the 240-hour program applied to citizens of 55 countries. With the addition of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, the number has increased to 57. Chinese immigration authorities attribute the expansion to further simplifying international travel and developing contacts with neighboring countries.
Bishkek attributes the decision to the high level of Kyrgyz-Chinese relations. Sagynbek Abdumutalip noted that the relaxation will relieve many citizens of the need to pay visa fees, prepare documents, and visit consular offices for short trips that meet the conditions of the new regime.
**There is no visa-free regime for Chinese citizens in Kyrgyzstan yet**
The new measure is unilateral. Kyrgyzstan is not introducing a mirror ten-day visa-free regime for Chinese citizens. According to the presidential administration, the current entry regulations for Chinese citizens into Kyrgyzstan remain in effect.
Therefore, Beijing's decision is not a bilateral visa waiver agreement, but rather an expansion of China's own immigration programs.