ChinaAddsU.K.,CanadatoVisa-FreeListinTravelPush

China will grant visa-free entry to citizens of the U.K. and Canada starting Tuesday, the first day of the Lunar New Year, as Beijing widens access to the world’s second-largest economy.

The inclusion of two major Western economies expands China’s visa-waiver list to 50 nations, signaling a continued push to dismantle travel barriers and boost inbound tourism and business exchange.

From Feb. 17 to Dec. 31, ordinary passport holders from the two nations can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 30 days. The foreign ministry announced the policy on Sunday, confirming the arrangement would take effect immediately for the Year of the Horse.

The policy change delivers on commitments made during recent high-level state visits. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China in late January accompanied by executives from over 50 British companies, resulting in a bilateral outcome list that included Beijing’s consideration of a unilateral visa waiver.

Similarly, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited in mid-January, the first such trip by a Canadian leader since 2017. Carney told reporters at the time that Beijing had pledged to ensure Canadian citizens would enjoy visa-free treatment, marking a thaw in relations between the two countries.

The restoration of travel links has been uneven between the two nations. Direct flights between the Chinese mainland and the U.K. reached 888 in January, rising to 125% of 2019 levels, according to data from Flight Master. The two countries are connected by 19 routes covering 12 mainland cities.

In contrast, aviation recovery with Canada lags significantly. While flight volume rose nearly 20% year-on-year in January to 304 round trips, capacity remains at just 34.8% of pre-pandemic levels. The route had been dubbed the “coldest” during periods of diplomatic tension, with recovery stalling until Canada lifted restrictions on Chinese carriers in late 2024.

The expanded access comes amid a surge in cross-border travel driven by relaxed entry policies and improved transit facilities. National Immigration Administration data show China recorded 82 million foreign entries in 2025, a 26.4% increase from the previous year. Visa-free arrivals accounted for 30 million of those visits, making up 73.1% of the total.