The Parliament of Azerbaijan has ratified the agreement on mutual visa exemption between Azerbaijan and China.
The decision marks an important step in bilateral relations between the two countries, further tightening connections between both territories, VisaGuide.World reports.
The draft law was introduced during a plenary session of the Milli Majlis on Thursday, according to local media reports.
The new decision permits nationals of Azerbaijan and China with regular passports to travel to each other’s territories for up to 30 days, without being obliged to apply for a visa first.
The draft was adopted in a single reading through a parliamentary vote.
Agreement Signed in April 2025
The agreement to further facilitate the travel process for these two territories was signed on April 23, 2025, in China.
The decision applied only to short-term trips. In order to stay in the territory of the other party for more than 30 days, for work study, work in the media, or other similar purposes, holders of general civil passports are required to hold a visa and appropriate permission in advance.
In addition, both parties have the right to suspend the launching of the agreement in whole or part, for concerns related to security, public order and public health, among others.
China to Start Granting Visa-Free Entry for GCC Countries
In addition to Azerbaijan, China will permit passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain to enter the country without visas for stays of up to 30 days.
The new changes were announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
She said the decision will become effective on June 9, 2025, and will be kept in place until June 8, 2026.
The unilateral decision of China covering all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is expected to boost China’s tourism while enhancing cooperation between both territories.
With the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that have implemented reciprocal visa-free policies with China since 2018, China now grants visa-free treatment to all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. We welcome more friends from the GCC countries to embark on an impromptu trip to China.
The new changes mean that holders of passports issued within the GCC will be eligible to travel to China for short-term stays for several purposes, among them tourism, business, exchange, or transit for up to 30 days without applying for a visa at first.
Last year, China expanded its visa-free policy to several other countries as well.