China Expands Visa-Free Entry to Include UK and Canada for 30-Day Stays

New Policy Takes Effect

China has announced a significant expansion of its visa-free entry program, now allowing ordinary passport holders from the United Kingdom and Canada to enter the country for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. The new policy officially took effect on February 17, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2026.

The decision was formally confirmed by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 15, 2026, and aims to further facilitate cross-border travel and people-to-people exchanges.

Purpose and Scope of Visa Waiver

The visa exemption covers various travel purposes, including:

• Tourism
• Business visits
• Family visits
• Exchanges
• Transit purposes

This initiative is part of China's broader post-pandemic reopening efforts, designed to revitalize inbound tourism and business activities. With the addition of the UK and Canada, the total number of countries whose citizens can enjoy visa-free access to China for up to 30 days now stands at 79.

Context and Expected Impact

The expansion follows recent high-profile visits to Beijing by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in January. Analysts view the timing as a diplomatic gesture intended to improve relations and accelerate trade discussions that had slowed in recent years.

The move is widely expected to boost inbound tourism and business, with officials hoping to restore pre-pandemic traffic levels within 12 to 18 months. Business stakeholders have welcomed the change, anticipating reduced travel planning costs and faster deployment of technical staff for short-term projects. Airlines, including Air China and British Airways, have already begun reacting by restoring suspended flight frequencies on routes such as London–Shanghai and Vancouver–Guangzhou for the upcoming IATA season.

Important Travel Information

While the new policy simplifies entry, travelers from the UK and Canada should be aware of certain requirements and conditions:

• Travelers must hold a confirmed outbound ticket dated within 30 days of arrival.
• Proof of hotel reservation or onward accommodation may be requested.
• Passports must be valid for the entire duration of the stay.
• The waiver does not apply to travel for work, study, or journalism.
• Existing entry procedures, such as biometric fingerprinting upon arrival and mandatory registration with local public-security bureaus within 24 hours of arrival, remain in effect.

Individuals whose travel plans exceed the 30-day limit or fall outside the specified purposes will still need to obtain the appropriate visa in advance.