IOM: Baku-Beijing visa waiver may set example for all of Asia

The visa-free regime between Azerbaijan and China, which came into force yesterday, may inspire similar initiatives in other Asian countries, in particular along the Belt and Road Intiative, Li Wen, Chief of Mission in China for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said in a commentary to the CGTN television channel, Report informs.

She emphasized the policy's potential to "redefine regional connectivity." She also stressed that the abolition of the visa regime will contribute to the further development of not only trade and tourism, but also in the areas of economics and investment, cultural exchange and the expansion of humanitarian cooperation.

Li noted the agreement, effective immediately for ordinary passport holders, could increase tourism by up to 40% annually while fostering business collaborations. "This isn't just about shorter queues at airports," she said. "It's about creating neural pathways for cultural understanding and economic symbiosis."

The IOM official suggested the China-Azerbaijan model could inspire similar agreements between Asian nations, particularly along Belt and Road Initiative corridors. She highlighted reduced administrative barriers as key to unlocking $2.3 trillion in potential tourism revenue across developing Asian economies by 2030.

When asked about worldwide applications, Li stressed the need for "balanced frameworks that prioritize security while enabling talent circulation." The IOM is reportedly advising 12 Asian governments on implementing smart border management systems to support such policies.

The visa-free regime between Azerbaijan and China entered into force yesterday, on July 16. The corresponding agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China was signed on April 23, 2025, in Beijing.

From now on, citizens of the two countries are exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit, and transit through the territory for a period of no more than thirty days for each trip and a total of no more than ninety days during each 180-day period.