China exempts all GCC nationals from visa starting June

China has now achieved visa-free coverage for all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, in a move aimed at boosting economic and cultural exchanges, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

 

"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. Together with the UAE and Qatar, which have had full mutual visa exemptions with China since 2018, China has now achieved visa-free coverage for all GCC member states," Mao said, according to statements published by the Global Times.

 

"We welcome more friends from GCC countries to embark on a spontaneous trip to China," she added.