China Opens Doors: Canada and UK Travel Visa-Free
Canada and the UK gain 30-day visa-free access to China from Feb 17–Dec 31, 2026, covering tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
By Elke Porter | WBN News Global | February 16, 2026
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Canadians and British nationals are now able to travel to China without a visa for short visits starting Tuesday, February 17, 2026, under a new year-long visa-free policy running until December 31, 2026.
When and How It Works
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally confirmed the decision, announcing that "in order to further facilitate cross-border travel, China decides to, starting from February 17, 2026, extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the UK." The policy covers stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit purposes.
The Chinese Embassy in Canada confirmed the policy applies "from 00:00 on February 17, 2026, to 24:00 on December 31, 2026 (Beijing time)," and similarly the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom confirmed ordinary British passport holders are covered on the same terms. Longer stays or any paid work will still require a visa from a Chinese consulate. Travellers must carry a passport valid at least six months beyond their entry date, a return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation.
With the addition of Canada and the United Kingdom, a total of 47 countries and territories now benefit from a 30-day visa exemption through December 31, 2026. CBC News Australia was added to the list in 2024, meaning all Five Eyes intelligence alliance members now have visa-free access to China except the United States.
The Diplomatic Context
The announcement follows official trips to Beijing by both Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January 2026, both of whom were seeking to bolster relations with China and pivot from an increasingly unpredictable United States. Both leaders had hailed progress following meetings with top Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping on the issue of visa-free access.
Who Benefits
For both Canadian and British travellers, the change eliminates a previously burdensome process. UK travellers who previously had to apply in advance, pay fees often above £130, submit fingerprints, and visit consular offices had faced a process that could take up to two weeks or longer during peak periods. Canadian travellers faced similar hurdles, with costs of roughly C$140 per person. Tourism operators, airlines, universities, and trade missions across both countries are expected to benefit, as easier mobility should help restore traffic to something closer to pre-pandemic levels.
Leaving China and Safety Considerations
The new rules do not change exit procedures. Canadians and British nationals remain free to depart China as long as they respect local laws and the 30-day limit, and overstays still risk fines or other penalties. Government travel advisories from both Ottawa and London continue to flag the potential for arbitrary enforcement or exit bans in individual cases, especially during periods of diplomatic tension, and travellers are advised to monitor these advisories before and during their trips.
U.S. Reaction and Reciprocity
The moves come as both Canada and the UK are recalibrating their relationships with China in part as a counterbalance to U.S. trade pressures. Commentators have described Beijing's offer as a strategic soft-power bid to rebuild trust and diversify ties with Western nations. Washington has not announced any formal response specific to the Canadian or British waivers.
Can Chinese Citizens Travel Visa-Free to Canada or the UK?
For now, the new policy remains one-sided. Chinese citizens still need visas to enter both Canada and the United Kingdom. Ottawa has focused on easing how long visitors can stay once admitted — recently instructing border officers to grant many visitor-visa holders stays of up to one year — but this does not remove the visa requirement itself. The UK has made no reciprocal announcement.
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