StanFacts
EnglishEN

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Central Asia?

Checked

Short answer

No visa is needed in Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan with an ordinary Chinese passport. You need a visa for Kyrgyzstan, for Turkmenistan, and for Tajikistan unless you are over 55.

Kazakhstan: no visa

Under the China–Kazakhstan visa exemption agreement: Up to 30 days per visit, and no more than 90 days in any 180 days. Work and study need a visa.

Kazakhstan is introducing an electronic entry permit, QazETA, in stages. See our QazETA page to check whether it applies to you.

Sources for this section (1)

  • KazakhstanVisa-free stay for Chinese citizens

    Up to 30 days per visit, and no more than 90 days in any 180 days

    Under the China–Kazakhstan mutual visa exemption agreement, in force since 10 November 2023. Work and study need a visa.

    Source: Beijing Municipal Government (official), 13 November 2023

Uzbekistan: no visa

Under the China–Uzbekistan visa exemption agreement: Up to 30 days per visit, and no more than 90 days in any 180 days. Every foreigner must also register where they stay.

Sources for this section (1)

  • UzbekistanVisa-free stay for Chinese citizens

    Up to 30 days per visit, and no more than 90 days in any 180 days

    Under the China–Uzbekistan mutual visa exemption agreement, in force since 1 June 2025. Work, study and journalism need a visa.

    Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan (official), 13 May 2025

Kyrgyzstan: visa needed

Apply on the Foreign Ministry’s e-visa portal, evisa.e-gov.kg, or at a Kyrgyz embassy or consulate.

Sources for this section (2)

Tajikistan: visa needed, except over 55

The Pamirs (GBAO) need a separate permit.

Sources for this section (2)

Turkmenistan: visa needed

Apply for an e-visa on the State Migration Service’s portal, evisa.migration.gov.tm. Types: Tourist (e-TU), business (e-BS, up to 30 days) and humanitarian (e-HM). Processing: 7 working days, 3 working days (urgent) or 24 hours (super urgent).

Sources for this section (2)

What we could not verify

  • Whether ordinary Chinese passports can use Kyrgyzstan's e-visa. The portal says only that there is no visa-free entry.
  • Whether Chinese citizens with a valid US, UK or EU visa can still visit Kyrgyzstan for up to 7 days without a visa, as a 2023 government decision allowed, according to news reports.
  • An official Turkmen page that states the rule for Chinese passports. We found no visa-free arrangement for ordinary Chinese passports.

Report a mistake on this page

This is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules change often. Before you travel, check the official source linked next to each fact.