China has extended its unilateral visa-free policy to 24:00 on 31 December 2026. Ordinary passport holders from the countries on the list can enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days.
Who this covers in the Gulf and Southeast Asia
- Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain
- Brunei
Travellers from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE and Qatar do not rely on this policy: they have separate mutual visa-exemption agreements with China, also allowing up to 30 days per entry.
What you can do visa-free
Business, tourism, visiting family and friends, exchanges and transit. Working, studying and journalism still need the right visa.
If you plan a trip in 2027
The policy is temporary. Check whether it has been extended before booking travel for next year. We update our visa-free entry guide when rules change.
