At a regular press conference on May 28, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning announced that China will further expand its unilateral visa-free policy to facilitate cross-border exchanges. From June 9, 2025 to June 8, 2026, holders of ordinary passports from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain will be permitted to enter China without a visa for purposes including business, tourism, family and exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days. Those who do not meet the exemption criteria must still apply for a visa prior to entry. 

With the latest policy update, the number of countries benefiting from China’s unilateral visa-free policy rises to 47. Combined with Hainan’s 59-country visa-free entry policy, the reciprocal visa exemption agreements and other unilateral visa exemptions, a total of 85 countries now enjoy visa-free access to Hainan. As China continues to refine its visa-free entry policies, the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is becoming more open and closer to the world. This broader access is expected to boost business, cultural, and tourism exchanges between Hainan and participating countries, injecting fresh momentum into the growth of the Hainan FTP. 

Customers shop at Haikou International Duty Free City in Haikou. [Photo/Xinhua]

Inbound passengers go through border control at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya. [Photo/Xinhua]

Appendix: Countries Eligible for Visa-Free Entry to Hainan