Nanjing, the capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, will start a 72-hour visa-free stay policy for citizens of 51 countries from September 10, local government said Monday.

The 51 countries listed include the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, South Korean and Singapore.

Additionally, persons holding visas from countries not listed in the 51 approved countries and have plane tickets can apply for a transit without visa (TWOV) at the Nanjing Lukou International Airport. They too will be allowed a 72-hour stay in Jiangsu.

"Foreigners who are not from the 51 listed countries need to carry valid international travel documents inclusive of visas and plane tickets the date and their confirmed seat number in order to qualify for the 72-hour TWOV," said Cheng Jiandong, deputy director of the Jiangsu government's public security department.

"Visitors with a criminal record may be banned from entry," he said.

Yang Yong, deputy secretary-general of the local government, said the new policy will boost the city's tourism.