China Adds U.K., Canada to Visa-Free List in Travel Push
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At Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, officers from the Qingdao Airport Immigration Inspection Station under the Shandong Immigration Inspection General Station handle entry clearance procedures for inbound foreign passengers. Photo: VCG
China will grant visa-free entry to citizens of the U.K. and Canada starting Tuesday, the first day of the Lunar New Year, as Beijing widens access to the world’s second-largest economy.
The inclusion of two major Western economies expands China’s visa-waiver list to 50 nations, signaling a continued push to dismantle travel barriers and boost inbound tourism and business exchange.
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- China grants visa-free entry to U.K. and Canadian citizens from Feb. 17 to Dec. 31, 2025, for stays up to 30 days.
- The policy follows recent high-level visits and expands China's visa-waiver list to 50 countries.
- In 2025, China saw 82 million foreign entries, up 26.4% year-on-year; visa-free arrivals made up 30 million or 73.1% of the total.
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What Happened When
- Late 2024：
- Canada lifts restrictions on Chinese carriers, contributing to the recovery of China–Canada aviation.
- 2025：
- China records 82 million foreign entries, a 26.4% increase from the previous year. Visa-free arrivals account for 30 million of those visits.
- January 2026：
- Direct flights between the Chinese mainland and the U.K. reach 888, rising to 125% of 2019 levels. Flights between China and Canada rise nearly 20% year-on-year to 304 round trips, at only 34.8% of pre-pandemic levels.
- Mid-January 2026：
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visits China, the first such trip by a Canadian leader since 2017. Beijing pledges visa-free treatment for Canadian citizens.
- Late January 2026：
- U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits China with executives from over 50 British companies. The bilateral outcome list includes Beijing's consideration of a unilateral visa waiver.
- Sunday, February 16, 2026：
- China's foreign ministry announces visa-free entry for U.K. and Canadian citizens, confirming the policy will take effect for the Year of the Horse.
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