INTERNATIONAL
China implements trial visa-free policy for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
China offers visa-free entry to GCC countries from June 2025, boosting tourism, trade, and ties through easier travel and direct flights. - UNSPLASH
BEIJING: China launched a trial visa-free policy on Monday for ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, expanding the members to China's unilateral visa-free "circle of friends" to 47 countries.
AI Brief
From June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, ordinary passport holders 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.
With the new policy, China now offers visa-free access to all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is expected to boost the economy and relations.
"A new policy like this is very exciting. Because it's the ease of access and already we've seen a lot of exciting movement from the [Belt and Road] Initiative. I think we'll see a lot more visitors from Saudi and Kuwait, we've already seen that year on year with a 25 percent increase, and what the Chinese anticipation from all the data that we've seen, there will be, hoping, a predicted increase of 40 to 50 percent visit from the GCC nationals," said Peggy Li, managing partner of SPS Affinity, a service centric global strategy and communications consultancy headquartered in Dubai.
"Currently 22 direct flights a week between Saudi and China are bound to increase with the new regulations. The surge in demand is complemented by China being a Halal-friendly destination and offering a variety of traditional and Islamic cultural experiences. Shanghai's Nanjing Road, Beijing's Wangfujing Street and Chengdu's Taikoo Li are big attractors. Also, with China being the world's factory, a surge in business travel will benefit China's world class Expo industry," said Dr. James Morgan with Jadarah Consulting, a management consulting firm based in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.
It's not just one-way traffic. Gulf states' national carriers, working with Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are increasing direct flights from their capitals to more Chinese cities such as Shenzhen and Hangzhou. GCC nations are hoping the move will also spark more inbound tourism from China.
"This visa would make it easier for movement. People can start in UAE and then drive to Oman or vice versa, they can start in Oman and then continue their trip via road to UAE and then back to their destination - for this example, China. So for us, this ease of movement is extremely important and then cost wise on the travel itself, it makes a lot of sense," said Shabib Al Maamari, managing director of Visit Oman, a digitally native travel booking gateway of Oman.
Your gateway to global news, insights, and stories that matter.
AI Brief
- China will allow visa-free travel for citizens of all GCC countries for up to 30 days starting June 2025.
- The move is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange, especially from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
- Increased direct flights and China's appeal as a Halal-friendly destination support the anticipated travel surge.
From June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, ordinary passport holders 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.
With the new policy, China now offers visa-free access to all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is expected to boost the economy and relations.
"A new policy like this is very exciting. Because it's the ease of access and already we've seen a lot of exciting movement from the [Belt and Road] Initiative. I think we'll see a lot more visitors from Saudi and Kuwait, we've already seen that year on year with a 25 percent increase, and what the Chinese anticipation from all the data that we've seen, there will be, hoping, a predicted increase of 40 to 50 percent visit from the GCC nationals," said Peggy Li, managing partner of SPS Affinity, a service centric global strategy and communications consultancy headquartered in Dubai.
"Currently 22 direct flights a week between Saudi and China are bound to increase with the new regulations. The surge in demand is complemented by China being a Halal-friendly destination and offering a variety of traditional and Islamic cultural experiences. Shanghai's Nanjing Road, Beijing's Wangfujing Street and Chengdu's Taikoo Li are big attractors. Also, with China being the world's factory, a surge in business travel will benefit China's world class Expo industry," said Dr. James Morgan with Jadarah Consulting, a management consulting firm based in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.
It's not just one-way traffic. Gulf states' national carriers, working with Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are increasing direct flights from their capitals to more Chinese cities such as Shenzhen and Hangzhou. GCC nations are hoping the move will also spark more inbound tourism from China.
"This visa would make it easier for movement. People can start in UAE and then drive to Oman or vice versa, they can start in Oman and then continue their trip via road to UAE and then back to their destination - for this example, China. So for us, this ease of movement is extremely important and then cost wise on the travel itself, it makes a lot of sense," said Shabib Al Maamari, managing director of Visit Oman, a digitally native travel booking gateway of Oman.