China Opens Doors to Canadian and British Tourists with New Visa-Free Policy
Beijing announced today, , that citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom will be able to travel to China without a visa, starting . The move, confirmed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, aims to bolster diplomatic ties and increase people-to-people exchanges between China and both nations.
The visa-free policy will remain in effect until , allowing holders of ordinary passports from Canada and the UK to enter China for stays of up to 30 days. Permitted purposes of travel include business, tourism, visiting family and friends, exchanges, and transit.
The announcement follows recent visits to Beijing by both British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in January. Both leaders reportedly hailed progress in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials, including the possibility of eased travel restrictions. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the decision to waive visa requirements is a direct result of those meetings.
“To further facilitate cross-border travel, China decides to…extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the UK,” a spokesperson stated. The policy change is intended to “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries,” the ministry added.
This development comes as China seeks to revitalize inbound tourism and strengthen international relationships. In November 2025, Beijing extended its unilateral visa-free entry policy for citizens of 45 countries, including many European nations, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates, until the end of 2026. Sweden was also recently added to that list.
The move also reflects a strategic shift by both Canada and the UK to diversify international partnerships, particularly as relationships with the United States have become less predictable. Both Prime Ministers Starmer and Carney actively sought to strengthen ties with China during their January visits.
Beyond the new visa-free program, China also maintains a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for travelers passing through select ports, offering another avenue for easier access to the country. Details regarding eligible ports and specific requirements for the transit policy remain available through official Chinese government resources.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that the implementation of the visa waiver for Canadian and British citizens will be completed in time for the start date, and further details will be released shortly. This policy change is expected to significantly increase travel between China, Canada, and the UK in the coming months.
