China Grants Visa-Free Entry for UK and Canadian Nationals from February 17

China has confirmed that UK and Canadian passport holders will be allowed to travel to mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days from February 17, 2026, in a move aimed at boosting tourism, business and people-to-people exchanges.

China has announced a new visa-free travel policy for citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada, allowing them to visit mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa starting from February 17. The policy will initially remain in effect until December 31, 2026.

According to China’s foreign ministry, the visa-free scheme applies to travel for tourism, business, and visiting family or friends. The initiative is part of China’s broader efforts to facilitate international exchanges and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.

The policy follows British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official visit to China last month, during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to relax travel restrictions. Sir Keir said the agreement would help British businesses expand their presence in China, although critics have raised concerns over human rights and national security issues in the context of closer UK–China relations.

With this decision, UK and Canadian nationals join more than 50 other countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Japan, whose citizens already enjoy visa-free access to China. Around 620,000 British nationals travelled to China in 2024, and many more are expected to benefit from the new policy.

During his January visit, Sir Keir also discussed deeper cooperation in sectors such as services, healthcare, green technology and finance. However, the visit sparked criticism from opposition figures, particularly after the UK government approved plans for a new Chinese embassy in London, with opponents warning of potential security risks.

The visa-free move is seen as a significant step in easing travel barriers and strengthening international ties, though debates continue over the broader political implications of closer engagement with Beijing.