Starting August 20, citizens of Kyrgyzstan can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days. The new procedure was introduced unilaterally by the Chinese side.

Sagynbek Abdumutalip, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, announced the new rules citing data from the National Immigration Administration of China.

According to the new procedure, one of the main conditions for Kyrgyz citizens to enter China visa-free for up to 10 days is having a flight ticket confirming their return to Kyrgyzstan via a third country.

For example, a Kyrgyz citizen can fly directly to Beijing, Shanghai, or another Chinese city, and return via routes such as Shanghai — Almaty — Bishkek or Beijing — Tashkent — Osh.

Upon entering China, Kyrgyz citizens can use any of the 65 border checkpoint stations designated under the new rules.

In addition, China has also provided citizens of Kyrgyzstan with the opportunity to enter Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days.

The new rule will greatly facilitate travel to China for Kyrgyz citizens. Now, citizens planning a trip for up to 10 days do not need to prepare visa documents, apply to the consulate, and pay the corresponding visa fees.

However, the new 10-day visa-free regime is unilateral. This means that Chinese citizens entering Kyrgyzstan will still need to follow existing visa requirements.