China has announced a temporary expansion of its visa-free entry programme to include ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom.
The policy, confirmed by a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, takes effect on February 17, 2026, and will remain in force through December 31, 2026. Under the arrangement, citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom holding ordinary passports will be able to enter mainland China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business visits, family and friend visits, cultural exchanges, and transit. 
China’s visa-free programme has been gradually expanded in recent years to welcome more international travellers, and the inclusion of Canada and the UK marks a notable extension of that effort. The policy applies specifically to holders of ordinary passports, and travellers must still meet standard entry requirements, including holding a passport that remains valid for the duration of their stay and having proof of onward or return travel, as required by Chinese border authorities. 
Officials said the decision aims to build on existing travel arrangements and strengthen people-to-people ties, particularly as global travel continues to recover from the pandemic era. Canada and the UK join a growing list of countries whose nationals enjoy short-term visa-free access to China under similar unilateral policies. 
While easier short-term entry is now available, travellers planning longer stays for work, study or residence must still apply for the appropriate visa before travelling to China. The new policy does not affect those requirements.
