Bahamians will soon be able to travel to China without a visa.

According to Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, Cabinet has agreed to sign a visa abolition agreement, a change local tourism officials have long been pushing for, particularly in anticipation of Baha Mar’s grand opening in December 2014.

The agreement is reciprocal.

“It means Bahamians who have visas for the U.S, Canada, the UK or Shengen countries will be able to enter China without having to obtain a Chinese visa, have a return ticket and sufficient funds for their stay. Tourist visits will be up to 60 days,” Minister Mitchell explained in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

“Being reciprocal, it means that Chinese with a US, UK, Canada or Shengen visa can have access to The Bahamas without a Bahamian visa for up to 60 days, provided they have a return ticket and sufficient funds for their stay. If you do not have those visas, you would have to have a Bahamian visa.”

The agreement does not affect students, residency permits or access for the media.

Minister Mitchell will deviate from a private meeting in China next week to sign the agreement in Beijing.