China will grant ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain visa-free entry into China up to 30 days from June 9, 2025.
China has already signed two separate visa exemption agreements with the UAE and Qatar, allowing nationals from these two countries to enter without a visa and stay for up to 30 days.
On Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said her country will trial the policy granting ordinary passport holders visa-free entry into China up to 30 days from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, according to Xinhua, the official state-owned news agency.
Nationals from these four countries traveling to China for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges or transit for up to 30 days will not be required to obtain a visa for entry, Mao said.
“With the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that have implemented reciprocal visa-free policies with China since 2018, China now grants visa-free treatment to all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries,” she said.
Mao added: “We welcome more friends from the GCC countries to embark on an impromptu trip to China.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the Chinese announcement, stressing that this step will contribute to encouraging mutual visits, and deepening friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
