China Offers 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to UK and Canada Citizens

Beijing, China—Starting Tuesday, British and Canadian citizens will be able to enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, a policy change aimed at encouraging tourism and business travel. The measure, confirmed by China's Foreign Ministry, takes effect on February 17, 2026, and applies to ordinary passport holders traveling for business, tourism, visiting family and friends, cultural exchanges or transit.

The new visa waiver brings the total number of countries eligible for such access to 79, following a significant expansion of the program over the past two years. Most European nations already qualify, along with select countries from Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. For comparison, citizens of the United States and Indonesia can enter visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through China with onward tickets to a third country. Previously, British and Canadian travelers faced a time-consuming application process, including fees of around 140 Canadian dollars for Canadians, which often deterred short visits.

The addition of the United Kingdom and Canada comes shortly after high-level diplomatic engagements. In January 2026, British Prime...