China and Uzbekistan introduce a mutual 30-day visa waiver from 1 June 2025

From 1 June 2025, a mutual visa-free agreement takes effect between China and Uzbekistan. Citizens of both countries will be able to visit each other's territory without a visa for up to 30 days. This decision is the result of lengthy negotiations and has received all the necessary approvals in both countries.

The agreement was announced by the foreign ministers: Bakhtiyor Saidov for Uzbekistan and Wang Yi for China. The initial agreement was reached back on 1 December 2024, after which the two sides finalised all the details and approved the new border-crossing procedure.

Exceptions and restrictions

The new rules allow citizens of China and Uzbekistan to freely enter, exit, and transit through each other's territory, provided a single trip does not exceed 30 days. Multiple trips can be made within any 180-day period, but total time spent must not exceed 90 days.

However, a number of trip categories fall outside the agreement: for work, study, journalism, and other purposes requiring special authorisation, obtaining a Chinese visa is still required. The visa-free regime also does not extend to trips to China's special administrative regions — Hong Kong and Macau.

A focus on developing tourism

The new arrangement comes amid active promotion of Uzbekistan as a tourist destination for Chinese citizens. In 2024, China hosted the Year of Uzbek Tourism, which helped build close business ties and strengthen industry cooperation.

With the introduction of the visa-free regime and a large number of direct flights — up to 100 per week — further growth in tourist flow and tourism revenue is expected in both countries.

Long-standing ties along the Great Silk Road

Relations between China and Uzbekistan have a thousand-year history, thanks to Uzbekistan's position on the Great Silk Road. Active cooperation in trade and culture continues today.

Bobirjon Yakhyaev, adviser and consul general at the Uzbek embassy in China, stressed that developing close, mutually beneficial relations with China, which has the world's largest tourism market, is a priority for his country. In 2024, more than 74,300 Chinese tourists visited Uzbekistan, up 75% year-on-year.

As a reminder, China already has a similar mutual visa-free travel agreement with Kazakhstan. It took effect on 10 November 2023 and likewise allows for short-term stays for tourism, medical treatment, and business purposes.