China is set to implement a visa-free entry policy for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain, according to international media reports.
According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, travelers holding ordinary passports from these four nations will be able to enter China without a visa starting from June 9, 2025, until June 8, 2026. They will be permitted to stay for a period of up to 30 days, as reported by China Daily.
Mao added that with this decision, China’s visa-free access now extends to all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
In a separate update, Kuwait has resumed visas for Pakistani nationals after about 19 years ban, marking a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties.
Kuwait has officially reinstated a wide range of visas for Pakistani nationals to fulfill its crucial labor shortages. This decision, reported by various Gulf media outlets on Monday, reverses a 2011 ban on visas for citizens of Pakistan, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan due to security concerns.
According to Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, as quoted by UAE-based Gulf News, there are plans to bring 1,200 Pakistani nurses to Kuwait’s healthcare sector. He went on to say that an initial group of 125 nurses having already arrived in Kuwait last week.
It is pertinent to note that the resumption of visas includes work, family, visit, tourist and commercial categories for Pakistani citizens.
The Overseas Pakistanis Ministry welcomed Kuwait’s decision, anticipating it will create employment, trade, and tourism opportunities for thousands of Pakistanis in Kuwait. Ministry also mentioned that the visa resumption will also be valuable for generating foreign exchange for Pakistan.
