Starting Tuesday, British and Canadian citizens can enter China without a visa, raising the total number of countries eligible for visa-free access to 79. The move aims to encourage tourism, business travel, and international exchanges.
Under the expanded program, visitors can stay up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family, or attending exchange programmes. Most European countries already qualify, alongside selected nations in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, citizens from countries such as the United States and Indonesia can enter visa-free for 10 days if they are in transit to another destination.
The decision has been welcomed by business executives and tourists alike, as China’s visa application process is often seen as complex and time-consuming.
The addition of the U.K. and Canada follows visits last month by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Governor Mark Carney, who are seeking to strengthen bilateral ties with Beijing after a period of strained relations. While visa-free access for most countries is currently set to expire at the end of 2026, similar extensions have been granted in the past.
