China has significantly expanded its visa-free entry policy, allowing citizens from 74 countries to visit the country for up to 30 days without the need for a visa. The new policy, aimed at boosting tourism, trade, and international connectivity, has already shown impressive results, with over 20 million people entering China visa-free in 2024 — more than double the number recorded in the previous year.
This major update covers a wide geographical range, including most of Europe, select countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Oceania. Notably, recent additions to the list include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, and several Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The list will grow further to 75 countries by July 16, 2025, with the inclusion of Azerbaijan.
Pakistan Not Included Despite Strong Ties
Surprisingly, Pakistan — despite its close economic and strategic partnership with China under initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — is not among the countries eligible for visa-free entry. Many South Asian and African nations have also been left out of the expanded list.
Pakistani citizens are required to apply for a visa in advance for any kind of visit to China, whether for tourism, business, or transit. This development has raised questions and sparked discussions among observers, especially considering Pakistan’s long-standing diplomatic and economic collaboration with China.
Breakdown of Eligible Countries
Europe: Citizens from 30+ European nations now enjoy 30-day visa-free access to China. These include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and others. Some countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden, Russia, and Ukraine are eligible only for 10-day visa-free transit.
Asia & Oceania: China now welcomes travelers from Australia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Georgia without a visa. Indonesia is eligible for 10-day visa-free transit only.
Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are among the visa-exempt countries — reflecting China’s strengthening ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
Latin America: Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay are now on the 30-day visa-free list. Mexico is included in the 10-day transit category.
Other Nations: Israel, Mongolia, Turkey, Vietnam, Philippines, and Brunei are also among the visa-free countries, while the United States and Canada are eligible for transit-only entry.
Transit Visa Policy Also Excludes Pakistan
China also offers a 10-day visa-free transit entry at select airports for travelers from specific countries — a policy designed for those passing through China en route to a third destination. However, this privilege is also unavailable to Pakistani passport holders.
The 10-day transit policy mainly benefits travelers from countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Russia, among others.
Growing Opportunities — But Not for All
The updated visa policy reflects China’s intent to open its doors wider to global visitors and rebuild international ties after years of pandemic-induced travel restrictions. However, the exclusion of Pakistan and other South Asian countries from both visa-free entry and transit policies is notable, especially given their regional significance and economic cooperation with China.
As the list continues to evolve, observers in Pakistan and beyond will be watching closely to see if future updates include a broader range of nations — particularly those with strong bilateral relationships with Beijing.
