China announces Visa-Free Access For UK, Canada Citizens
Representative Image (4)
The visa free entry allows entries of ordinary passport holders to stay for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange and transit purposes.
China’s Foreign Ministry allowed Canadian and British tourists and business travellers to enter mainland visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. The policy will remain in effect until at least December 31, 2026.
At present, most visitors must navigate a detailed visa application process costing about USD 140 (HKD 1,094.24) to visit mainland China, though Hong Kong, Macau and Hainan province have already been visa-free options. The new waiver eliminates paperwork and waiting times, allowing Canadians to book flights and depart without the usual administrative delay.
The move comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official trip to China last month, during which he and President Xi Jinping agreed to ease travel restrictions between the two countries. The new policy applies to ordinary passport holders travelling for tourism, business, visiting friends and family, exchange and transit purposes.
It also brings Canada and the UK in line with nearly 79 countries (including France, Japan, Australia and New Zealand) whose citizens can already access China visa-free. These agreements are said to also have a great impact on China’s tourism economy, as in 2025 alone, China recorded 30.08 million visa-free entries, nearly a 50 percent increase over 2024, according to the National Immigration Administration.
Although Beijing lifted visa requirements for several Western nations in recent years, Canadians continued to face restrictions amid a prolonged diplomatic dispute. In August 2023, China ended its pandemic-era ban on group tours to many countries but excluded Canada until November 2025. Brits too will benefit as the Office for National Statistics in 2024 recorded over 620,000 citizens taking a trip to the ‘Land of the Red Dragon’.
