China has initiated trial visa-free entry for nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain beginning June 9, 2025 and ending June 8, 2026 as well as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay starting June 1, 2025 and ending May 31, 2026. Ordinary passport holders can now typically enter for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transits.
What about ASEAN business travelers?
Additionally, China implemented a multi‑year ASEAN business visa that allows multiple entries over a five year period with each stay no longer than 180 days and covers the visa applicant’s spouses and children. This encompasses the 10 ASEAN countries and East Timor.
How has transit policy changed?
Under China’s 240‑hour visa free transit policy includes Indonesia (now 55 countries total). Travelers may transit through 60 ports in 24 regions, stay a maximum of 10 days, and undertake tourism, business, exchanges or visit family.
Read Also: Relaxation Of Tourist Visa For Chinese Visitors: Japan Foreign Minister
Why this aggressive expansion?
The move is part of China’s post-pandemic push to re-energise travel tourism, improve trade and cultural exchange. Visa-free entries increased by more than 112% in 2024, hitting over 20 million visits, while inbound bookings were also up more than 150%. It indicates strategic intent from China to strengthen its ties with GCC nations, Latin America, and ASEAN partners.
The following applies to certain travelers who are only eligible if they hold a valid ordinary passport, they are traveling for the eligible purposes, and they are aware of the validity periods of each policy. China has not indicated if they are pilot programs or will be long-term visa-free regimes.
China has also expanded visa‐free policies including Gulf states, Latin America, ASEAN business travelers, and transit hubs aimed at making traveling easier, and bolstering diplomacy and economic ties across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Therefore, expect an increase in cultural exchange as well as business linkages in coming years.
