China Expands Visa-Free Travel to 74 Countries: Is Pakistan Among Them?

China has recently updated its visa policy, making it easier for travelers from around the world to visit the country. Now, citizens of 74 countries can enter China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. This change is part of China’s effort to boost tourism, strengthen international ties, and make travel more convenient.

Since this new visa-free policy was introduced, China has seen a huge increase in foreign tourists. In 2024 alone, over 20 million people visited China without needing a visa. That’s more than double the number from the previous year, showing how attractive the new rules are for travelers.

Who Can Visit China Without a Visa?

The list of visa-free countries includes most of Europe, several nations in Latin America, parts of Asia, and some from Oceania. Recent additions to the list include:

• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• The Netherlands
• Malaysia
• Uzbekistan
• And a number of Middle Eastern countries

The visa-free list will grow again on July 16, 2025, when Azerbaijan will be added, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 75.

Is Pakistan on the List?

Even though China and Pakistan share strong economic and diplomatic relations, Pakistan is not included in the list of countries eligible for visa-free travel. The same applies to many other countries in South Asia and Africa, whose citizens still need to apply for a visa before traveling to China.

Breakdown by Region

Here’s a detailed look at the countries allowed to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days:

Region	30-Day Visa-Free Countries	10-Day Visa-Free Transit Only
Europe	Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland	United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Sweden, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia
Asia & Oceania	Australia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Georgia	Indonesia
Middle East	Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates	—
Latin America	Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay	Mexico
Other Regions	Brunei, Israel, Mongolia, Philippines, Serbia, Seychelles, Suriname, Turkey, Vatican City, Vietnam	—

What About Transit Entry?

For travelers who are not on the 30-day visa-free list, China also allows a 10-day visa-free transit stay—but only at certain airports and ports. This option is limited to citizens of specific countries like:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Sweden
• Russia
• And a few others

Unfortunately, Pakistanis are not eligible for the 10-day transit visa either.

China’s expanded visa-free policy is a big step toward welcoming more international visitors. It makes travel easier for millions of people across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. However, countries like Pakistan, despite having strong relations with China, are still required to go through the visa application process.

For Pakistani travelers hoping to visit China in the future, it’s best to keep an eye on further updates, as policies can change. Until then, getting a visa remains necessary for visiting China.

READ MORE: Interior Minister Shares Major Updates on UAE Visas