Still haven’t decided where you’re escaping to this summer? If you’re a Saudi, Omani, Kuwaiti, or Bahraini national you might want to consider China. The Republic has just announced lifting visa restrictions on citizens from those four countries effective next month. From June 9, 2025 to June 8, 2026, passport holders from the aforementioned states will no longer need entry authorization from local authorities before visiting the centuries-old country.
Announced just this week by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, once the new policy comes into place, all six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will officially be able to enter China without prior visa arrangements, including Qatar and the UAE, whose nationals have been enjoying visa exemptions since 2018. From what we know, nationals from each country will be able to stay in China for up to 30 days, regardless of the purpose of their visit.
In a press briefing held in Beijing, Mao reportedly stated that the visa-free arrangement is being introduced on a one-year basis, as a trial, with the possibility of extending or formalizing the policy depending on its outcomes.
“China has decided to expand its visa-free policy to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges. From June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, holders of ordinary passports from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, visits or transit for up to 30 days,” Mao said according to statements published by Chinese tabloid Global Times. “We welcome more friends from GCC countries to embark on a spontaneous trip to China,” the statement continued.
Opening its doors to a side of the world many are discouraged to explore due to paperwork, China has made it easier than ever to experience its thriving culture without stressing over forms, stamps, or last-minute embassy runs. So what are you waiting for?
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