Inbound travelers wait in line at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo/WeChat account: hzfbwx]

After China expanded its visa-free policy to include Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, Hangzhou has witnessed a surge in foreign arrivals.

From June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, ordinary passport holders from these four Gulf countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, or transit. This marks full visa exemption coverage for all Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

Hangzhou, a growing international gateway into China, has welcomed over 116,000 visa-free foreign visitors so far this year, more than double the number from the same period last year. Overall inbound foreign travelers have surpassed 200,000, up 30 percent year-on-year. Most visitors come from South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand for business and tourism.

To support the new policy, Hangzhou has enhanced airport services with multilingual staff, expanded foreigner self-declaration systems, and streamlined customs guidance. With 29 international routes including Madrid, Melbourne, Sydney, and Rome, the city continues to strengthen its global connectivity.

"Thanks to the visa-free policy, visiting China will be much easier," said Omani travel blogger Ali Riyami, who recently landed in Hangzhou for his first trip in the country.

An immigration officer helps an international traveler to fill out his information. [Photo/WeChat account: hzfbwx]