An IMGlobalWealth.News Report
China’s expanding visa-free transit programme now covers nationals of 57 countries, following the addition of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam in August, as Beijing continues to ease short-term entry for international travellers.
The two countries joined the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme on 20 August 2026, increasing the number of eligible nationalities from 55 to 57.
“The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile are also included, alongside Australia and New Zealand”
Under the programme, qualifying travellers can remain in designated parts of China for up to 10 days without obtaining a visa in advance, provided they are travelling onwards to a third country or region.
The scheme currently operates through 65 designated ports across 24 provincial-level regions, including major international gateways serving Beijing, Shanghai and other leading commercial and tourism centres.
Eligible nationalities include 40 European countries, among them the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.
The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile are also included, alongside Australia and New Zealand. Asian participants include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.
Travellers must hold a valid ordinary passport and confirmed onward travel arrangements showing departure for a third country or region within the permitted 240-hour period.
The exemption can be used for tourism, business meetings, family visits and other short-term activities. Employment, study and journalism remain subject to China’s normal visa requirements and relevant authorisations.
China introduced the 240-hour transit period in December 2024, extending previous visa-free transit arrangements of 72 or 144 hours.
Since then, Beijing has continued to widen the scheme as part of a broader effort to facilitate international travel, tourism and business links while maintaining separate immigration requirements for longer stays and employment.
The latest additions underline China’s continuing move towards more flexible short-term entry rules, particularly for travellers using the country as part of a wider international itinerary.
