China will grant visa-free access to passport holders from the United Kingdom and Canada for stays of up to 30 days from 17 February, in a move set to boost inbound tourism and business travel.
Announced by China’s foreign ministry, the policy allows eligible travellers to visit mainland China for tourism, business, or to see family and friends. The arrangement will initially run until 31 December.
The decision aligns the UK and Canada with more than 50 countries already eligible for visa-free entry, including Australia, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — a significant expansion expected to stimulate international visitation following years of tighter border controls.
For the travel trade, the change removes a longstanding barrier for short-stay visitors and could drive renewed demand across leisure, corporate and MICE segments. More than 620,000 UK residents travelled to China in 2024, according to official statistics, indicating strong pent-up interest in the destination.
The move follows UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to China last month, where both governments agreed to ease travel rules as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic ties, particularly across services, healthcare, green technology and finance.
China’s foreign ministry said the scheme would “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges”, signalling a continued push to revive inbound tourism and international business engagement.
While welcomed by industry stakeholders as a practical step to restore connectivity, the policy has also drawn political scrutiny in the UK amid wider debates over relations with Beijing.
For travel advisors and operators, the visa waiver is expected to simplify planning for clients and could prompt a resurgence of China itineraries heading into the Northern Hemisphere peak travel season.
