Starting from February 17, 2026, China will implement a visa-free entry policy for holders of ordinary passports from Canada and the United Kingdom.
Eligible individuals may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives, exchange visits or transit purposes, with each stay not exceeding 30 days. This policy is a trial measure and is tentatively implemented until December 31, 2026.
Persons who do not meet the visa-exemption conditions still need to apply for a visa in accordance with the original regulations.
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Key Policy Points at a Glance
Effective Date: February 17, 2026
End of Trial Period: December 31, 2026
Applicable to: Holders of ordinary passports of Canada and the United Kingdom
Single Stay: No more than 30 days
Number of Entries: No explicit limit
In short: Short-term travel is more convenient, but it is not a way for long-term residence.
When will visa-free entry be possible?
The five officially permitted reasons for entry are: tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, visiting relatives, and exchange visits.
Special Notes for Transit: Transit cannot be used for work, long-term study, news reporting or long-term residence. The declared purpose of transit upon entry must be consistent with the actual activities.
Does it support multiple inputs?
Yes.
This policy does not limit the number of entries. As long as the relevant conditions are met, each entry can be visa-free, and the stay shall not exceed 30 days.
However, please note that frequent entries may be regarded as "de facto long-term residence", which could give the border control authorities the right to deny entry. Convenience does not equate to unlimited freedom.
How is the 30-day stay period calculated?
This period is calculated in consecutive calendar days. The day of entry is counted as the first day. Overstaying is illegal and may result in fines, administrative penalties, and even affect future entries. Suggestion: Leave no later than the 29th day to give yourself some leeway.
Can the stay be extended or changed to long-term residence?
In principle: A postponement is out of the question.
However, if you meet the requirements, you can still apply within China for: Q-type family visit visa, S-type dependent visa, work residence permit (with a work permit), or study residence permit. Note: A visa-free status cannot be directly converted to permanent residence status; you still need to meet the approval requirements for each type of visa.
Can I do business in China?
Short-term business activities are permitted, but long-term work is not allowed.
You can participate in: business negotiations, exhibition visits, factory inspections, contract signings, investment research, etc.
However, you cannot be employed by a company within China and receive remuneration. For truly long-term work, you still need to apply for a work visa.
What is the difference between this and the 144/240-hour visa-free transit policy?
This new policy is more lenient: longer stay time: 30 days compared to 6 to 10 days; no need for a connecting flight; applicable nationwide; wider scope of application; it is a brand-new short-term visa-free category.
What questions might I be asked upon arrival?
Even if you enter the country visa-free, border control may still require: a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket, accommodation reservation or an invitation letter (for business or visiting relatives), itinerary, and proof of funds. Failure to provide a reasonable explanation for the purpose of entry may result in denial of entry.
Is this mutual visa-free?
No. Currently, Chinese citizens still need to apply for a visa to travel to Canada or the United Kingdom. This is a unilateral facilitation measure provided by China.
In addition, this is a short-term visa-free policy aimed at facilitating personnel exchanges, mainly serving practical needs such as business, visiting relatives and tourism. Whether the policy will be extended or expanded will depend on the results of the pilot.
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