China grants visa-free entry to all GCC member states after a trial policy was announced for the citizens holding passports from Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
China has introduced a one-year trial policy that allows citizens holding ordinary passports from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain to enter the country without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. This trial will run from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
In a routine press briefing, Mao provided details on the new unilateral visa-free arrangement, which aims to simplify travel for visitors from the four Gulf nations. This decision came after the landmark China-ASEAN-GCC trilateral meeting held recently.
Travelers from these countries visiting China for tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit will be exempt from obtaining a visa for visits lasting up to 30 days.
Mao also highlighted that with the UAE and Qatar already enjoying mutual visa-free access with China since 2018, all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states now benefit from visa-free travel to China. She welcomed more visitors from the region to explore the country spontaneously.
Related PostsĀ