China Grants 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to UK and Canada From February 17

China has expanded its visa-free policy again. This time, it is the United Kingdom and Canada joining the list. Starting from February 17 to December 31, 2026, ordinary passport holders from both countries can enter China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days.

The move covers tourism, business trips, family visits, exchanges, and even transit.

For travellers, that means one big thing. Less paperwork.

30 Days in China Without a Visa

Starting February 17, 2026, British and Canadian citizens can visit China visa-free for up to a month. The policy applies to:

• Tourism
• Business meetings
• Family visits
• Cultural and academic exchanges
• Transit stops

This follows recent high-level visits between Beijing, London, and Ottawa, signalling a warming of travel ties.

With this update, China now offers visa-free access to 79 countries. Most of Europe is already on that list, along with selected nations in other regions.

For UK and Canadian travellers who previously faced long application forms and consulate appointments, this is a clear shift.

Why China Is Expanding Visa-Free Entry

Here’s the bigger picture. China is actively trying to bring inbound tourism back to pre-pandemic levels. International arrivals have been recovering, but slowly.

By removing visa barriers, Beijing is making spontaneous travel easier. Those benefits:

• Tourists planning short city breaks
• Business travellers heading to Shanghai or Shenzhen
• Families reconnecting across borders
• Investors exploring new markets

It also allows visitors to move beyond the usual big cities. Secondary economic hubs and rural heritage destinations become easier to explore when there is no visa timeline hanging over the trip.

For business communities in London and Toronto, the change reduces friction. That alone can increase short-notice travel.

China’s Passport Ranking Climbs

At the same time, China’s global mobility has improved.

According to the latest Henley Passport Index, China now ranks 56th, with access to roughly 82 to 85 destinations either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.

India currently sits at 75th place, with access to 56 destinations. It recently lost visa-free access to Iran and Bolivia.

What this really means is simple. Chinese citizens now enjoy significantly broader travel freedom compared to Indian passport holders.

A Growing Mobility Gap Between China and India

Chinese passport holders can visit around 26 to 29 more countries without a visa than Indian citizens. Some of those destinations include Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

Recent agreements with Malaysia and the Solomon Islands have further expanded China’s travel reach.

Beijing has clearly been using visa agreements as a diplomatic tool. It strengthens tourism, boosts business exchanges, and quietly expands global influence.

What Travellers Should Know

If you hold a UK or Canadian passport, the process becomes much easier from mid-February 2026. You can:

• Enter China visa-free
• Stay up to 30 days
• Travel for tourism, business, or family reasons

However, the policy currently runs only until December 31, 2026. Travellers planning late-year trips should monitor updates in case of extensions.

For frequent travellers and business professionals, this is one of the most practical changes China has made in recent years.

And for the global travel landscape, it signals something larger. China is reopening strategically, and its visa policy is one of its key tools.