Do China passport holders need a visa to visit TJ?

A Chinese ordinary passport holder needs a visa for Tajikistan, and the standard channel is the official online eVisa (evisa.tj) for short tourist stays. A China-wide visa-free regime was only proposed in February 2026 and is NOT yet in force, so the eVisa remains required. The single-entry tourist eVisa costs USD 30, is normally issued within a few business days, and permits a stay of up to 45 days within a 90-day window. Note: Chinese citizens aged 55 and over qualify for a separate unilateral visa-free entry of up to 14 days, but everyone else must obtain the eVisa. A USD 20 GBAO permit add-on is required to visit the Pamir / Gorno-Badakhshan region. As of 31 May 2026, Chinese ordinary passport holders cannot enter Tajikistan visa-free for general tourism. The Tajik authorities launched an electronic visa (eVisa) system in 2016, operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at evisa.tj, and this is the recommended and fastest route for Chinese tourists. The single-entry tourist eVisa carries a non-refundable government fee of USD 30 (USD 50 for multiple entry), is valid for 90 days from issue, and allows a maximum stay of 45 days from the date of arrival. Approval is typically issued within a few business days, though applicants are advised to apply at least 1-2 weeks before travel. Travelers heading to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and the Pamir Highway must add the GBAO permit (about USD 20) during the application. Two important nuances: (1) since 2024 Tajikistan operates a unilateral visa-free regime for citizens aged 55 and over from a list of countries including China, allowing visa-free stays of up to 14 days; and (2) in February 2026 Tajik officials publicly announced they were considering a broader visa-free regime for all Chinese citizens to boost tourism, but no decree, start date, or conditions have been adopted. Verified against the Wikipedia visa policy summary, the official-portal fee/stay figures, ASIA-Plus reporting on the proposed policy, and the Sherpa requirements database. Because the broader waiver is not yet law, the conservative and correct verdict for a general Chinese passport tourist is eVisa required.