Starting from February 17, 2026, nationals of the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada will be able to travel to China for up to thirty (30) days without a visa.
The Foreign Ministry of China made known, visa-free entry would be allowed for tourism, business or visits to family and friends, with the policy set to remain in effect initially until 31 December.
This is coming following Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing in January where he and Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of China, reached an agreement to relax travel rules.
The UK PM said, the new visa rules would make it easier for the expansion of businesses in the Asian country, however, criticism has it that, the move by Downing Street with Beijing to reset cooperations does not align with human rights and national security.
On X, China announced via its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesperson: “To further facilitate cross-border travel, China decides to, starting from February 17, 2026, extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the UK.
“Ordinary passport holders from the two countries can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.
“The policy will be effective until December 31, 2026.”
The development brings rules for passport holders of the UK and Canada parallel with fifty (50) other countries, encompassing, France, Germany, Australia among others.
UK nationals in their hundreds of thousands could benefit from the change potentially; the Office for National Statistics reports that, more than 600,000 travelled to China in 2024.
Also, Starmer and Xi have agreed to strengthen trade relations in technology, healthcare, finance and other key areas.
Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing was the first by a British Prime Minister in eight (8) years since PM Theresa May’s visit in 2018.
Before Starmer jetted out of the UK for China, he gave the approval for a major new Chinese Embassy in Central London, ignoring criticism from the opposition.
Photo: UK PM Keir Starmer visits Chinese President, Xi Jinping, in Beijing, China
