Macao announced a major policy shift this week, strengthening ties with the Gulf region. Visa-free access expands as the SAR confirmed that five Gulf countries will now enjoy unrestricted entry. Nationals from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman can soon visit Macao without a visa. The directive, issued Monday, will take effect 30 days from publication. This move signals closer alignment with China’s broader Middle East strategy.
China began expanding Gulf entry privileges earlier this month. On June 9, Beijing launched a similar visa-free program for four of the same countries. Qatar has held a mutual visa agreement with China since 2018. With Macao’s update, all six GCC nations now benefit from streamlined travel to both Macao and the mainland. Clearly, visa-free access expands as part of a coordinated diplomatic push.
Observers believe this decision could reshape China-Gulf relations across multiple sectors. Zhu Weilie, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University, predicted increased collaboration in finance and tech. According to Zhu, sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf have already set up offices in mainland cities. He added that this visa policy will further facilitate high-level exchanges and business visits. Zhu also suggested Macao could mirror Hong Kong’s recent efforts to court Gulf investment.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee visited Kuwait and Qatar earlier this year. His mission centered on boosting cooperation in investment, innovation, and financial services. The SAR also expanded visa-free stays for Omani travelers from 10 to 14 days. Moreover, citizens from Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE already enjoy visa-free entry to Hong Kong. Visa-free access expands in tandem across China’s SARs and mainland.
Beijing has underscored its diplomatic outreach to the region. On May 28, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said all six GCC states now enjoy full visa access. She reiterated China’s readiness to welcome Gulf visitors anytime. As visa-free access expands, China hopes to deepen people-to-people ties and economic integration. The latest Macao announcement adds momentum to that vision.
