China has announced visa-free access for citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada, effective February 17, in a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and boosting travel and cultural exchanges.
The policy follows visits to Beijing in January by British Prime minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime minister Mark Carney, who held talks with Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping.
China’s foreign ministry confirmed that holders of ordinary passports from both countries may enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The visa waiver covers travel for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, cultural exchanges, and transit purposes.
According to the ministry, the arrangement will remain in effect until December 31 and is intended to “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries.”
Both London and Ottawa had earlier signaled progress on easing travel restrictions following high-level meetings in Beijing, part of broader efforts to improve relations and expand cooperation.
The visa-free policy is expected to ease travel procedures, encourage tourism and business engagement, and promote closer cultural and diplomatic ties between China and the two Western nations.
