China Confirms 30-Day Visa-Free Travel for UK and Canada Citizens

China has confirmed that citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada will soon be able to enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, marking a significant shift in travel policy aimed at strengthening international engagement.

China’s foreign ministry said the visa-free arrangement will take effect from 17 February and will initially run until 31 December. The policy will apply to visitors traveling for tourism, business purposes, or to visit family and friends.

Announcing the start date on Sunday, the ministry said the measure would “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries”, framing the move as part of a broader effort to encourage global mobility and cooperation.

The decision follows an official visit to Beijing last month by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, where discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping included agreements to ease travel restrictions between the two countries.

Speaking during the visit, Sir Keir said British firms had been “crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China”, arguing that reduced travel barriers would help UK businesses expand and compete in the world’s second-largest economy.

In addition to travel, the two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in services, healthcare, green technology, and financial sectors. However, officials confirmed that no comprehensive free trade agreement was reached during the talks.

The move according to BBC aligns UK and Canadian passport holders with nationals from around 50 other countries already eligible for visa-free entry to China, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Japan.

Despite the economic rationale, the policy shift has drawn criticism at home. Some opposition figures argue that the government’s effort to reset relations with Beijing risks sidelining concerns over human rights and national security.

Those concerns intensified shortly before the China visit, when the UK government approved plans for a large new Chinese embassy in central London. Critics warned the site could pose security risks, alleging it might be used for intelligence gathering—claims the government has not substantiated.

The January trip was the first official visit to China by a British prime minister since Theresa May traveled there in 2018, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the renewed engagement.