China has officially extended visa-free entry to all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a move aimed at enhancing people-to-people exchanges and boosting bilateral ties, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced that citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain holding ordinary passports will be eligible for visa-free entry into China from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026. Travelers from these countries may stay in China for up to 30 days for purposes including business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchange, or transit.
This new policy builds upon existing mutual visa exemption agreements China has maintained with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar since 2018. With the inclusion of the remaining four GCC countries, China has now achieved full visa-free coverage across the regional bloc.
“China has decided to expand its visa-free policy to further facilitate cross-border travel,” Mao stated. “We warmly welcome more friends from the Gulf Cooperation Council to visit China independently.”
The announcement follows China’s broader efforts to promote international mobility and strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement with Middle Eastern partners.
Related Topics
