China Allows Visa-Free Travel for UK and Canada, List Now at 79 Nations
China expands visa-free travel policy to include UK and Canada, taking total eligible countries to 79.
China has expanded its visa-free entry policy to include citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada, raising the total number of countries whose nationals can visit without a visa to 79. The change took effect on February 17, 2026, as part of Beijing’s broader strategy to boost tourism, stimulate business travel and enhance people-to-people exchanges.
Under the extended policy, ordinary passport holders from the UK and Canada can enter mainland China without obtaining a visa for up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, business, cultural or educational exchanges, visiting family and friends, and transit. This visa-free access is expected to remain in place until at least the end of 2026, although China has previously extended similar provisions beyond their original expiration dates.
The inclusion of two major Western economies in China’s visa waiver list follows recent official visits by both countries’ leaders to Beijing. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney engaged in talks with Chinese officials earlier this year, during which travel facilitation was highlighted as a key area of cooperation. These high-level engagements underscored mutual interest in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties following a period of strained relations.
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China’s unilateral visa-free arrangements have steadily expanded over the past few years, covering most European nations and a number of countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In addition to visa-free stays of up to 30 days, Beijing also permits shorter, 10-day visa-free transit entry for certain other nationalities under specific conditions—such as holding confirmed onward flights to third countries.
Travel and business communities have broadly welcomed the changes, noting that the simplified entry process reduces the bureaucratic burden traditionally associated with securing Chinese visas. Tourism industry representatives say the move could significantly increase visitor numbers and support related sectors like hospitality, aviation and cultural exchanges.
Despite the expansion, some countries—such as the United States—do not yet enjoy full 30-day visa-free entry, though they may still qualify for shorter, transit-based exemptions. Observers suggest that further extensions of China’s visa waiver list could be tied to evolving diplomatic relations and broader economic initiatives.
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