Visa-Free Travel to China Extended to 74 Countries — But Pakistan Left Out

China’s growing efforts to make itself more accessible to global travelers have resulted in an expanded visa-free entry policy now covering citizens from 74 countries. As part of this initiative, foreign nationals from qualifying nations can now visit China for up to 30 days without a visa, significantly streamlining travel for tourism, business, and family visits.

Since the implementation of the policy, China has seen a surge in international arrivals — with more than 20 million visa-free entries recorded in 2024, marking a sharp increase over previous years. The change aligns with China’s broader goal of revitalizing international tourism and enhancing global engagement following years of pandemic-related restrictions.

Countries now enjoying 30-day visa-free access include much of Western and Eastern Europe, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East and Latin America. France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia are among the prominent nations added recently.

Unfortunately for Pakistani citizens, the updated policy does not include Pakistan, despite extensive diplomatic and economic cooperation under initiatives like CPEC. Notably, many other South Asian and African nations are also missing from the list.

China has also introduced a 10-day visa-free transit option at certain airports for travelers from countries like the U.S., U.K., Sweden, and Canada. However, this transit privilege is not extended to Pakistani passport holders.

As of July 2025, Azerbaijan will become the 75th country to benefit from visa-free access, but there are no public indications that Pakistan’s inclusion is under immediate consideration. Pakistani travelers must continue to undergo the standard visa application process through embassies or consulates.

This ongoing exclusion has sparked conversation within travel and diplomatic circles in Islamabad, where many hope future revisions to China’s travel policies will reflect its strategic partnerships more directly.