Pudong airport welcomes first visa-free arrivals from 4 Gulf countries

Shanghai Pudong International Airport welcomed its first visa-free arrivals under China's newly expanded entry policy in the early hours of Monday, marking a key moment in the country's efforts to boost international travel and exchanges.

The policy, which took effect that day, allows ordinary passport holders from the Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit. The policy will remain in effect until June 8, 2026.

The Alyahyaa brothers from Kuwait, arriving on flight 9C8892 from Bangkok, were among the first to benefit from the new policy.

"The visa-free policy is very convenient, and the immigration process was highly efficient," they said after completing entry procedures at Pudong airport.

They shared that they had decided to visit Shanghai as a family after reading about the new policy online, with plans for their father to join them later. "We're excited about this trip to China," they said.

Also arriving visa-free was Aldarees from Saudi Arabia, visiting China for the first time to inspect an automation machinery company in Shanghai.

"The visa exemption saved me time and simplified my trip. It will make future business travel much easier," he noted.

In preparation for the new influx of travelers, the Shanghai Airport Immigration Inspection Station implemented a series of measures to streamline the process. Inspection lanes were fully staffed during peak hours, and over 100 multilingual officers and volunteers were deployed around the clock to offer policy consultations and assistance, enhancing the experience for foreign visitors.

"As of now, 47 countries are eligible for China's unilateral visa-free policy," said Jiang Yichen, an airport immigration official. "Inbound travel remains strong. Since the start of the year, over 1.1 million foreign travelers have entered China through Pudong airport using the visa-free policy, representing about half of all foreign arrivals here."

With visa-free access continuing to broaden, officials anticipate a steady rise in inbound traffic. The airport will closely monitor flight volumes, strengthen coordination with airlines and customs units, and further refine services to ensure a smooth and welcoming arrival process.

These efforts are part of Shanghai's broader strategy to establish itself as China's premier entry point for international tourism.