China grants UK and Canada visa-free entry, raising total to 79 countries

China has broadened its visa‑free entry policies , allowing British and Canadian citizens to enter the country without a visa beginning Tuesday, raising to 79 the number of nations eligible for visa‑free access in a major effort to boost tourism, business and international exchange .

Under the expanded programme, visitors from eligible countries may stay in China for up to 30 days for tourism, business, educational exchanges, cultural visits or to see family and friends, without the need to apply for a visa. Most European countries already enjoy this privilege, and China has increasingly added nations from Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific to the list.

In addition to the 30‑day visa‑free entry category, China operates a separate 240‑hour (10‑day) visa‑free transit policy , under which citizens of many countries — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Indonesia — can enter without a visa when in true transit to a third destination. This rule allows stays of up to 10 days in designated regions and entry through dozens of international ports, but it applies only to those with confirmed onward tickets and typically does not cover work, study or journalism without the appropriate visa.

The visa‑free scheme has been extended repeatedly. In late 2025, China announced it would extend its unilateral 30‑day visa‑free policy into 2026 for many participating countries and add several new ones such as Sweden . The policy was also expanded at various points to include groups of nations from the Gulf region and Latin America , including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay , reflecting Beijing’s push to widen its “circle of travel partners.”

Major developed economies enjoying 30‑day visa‑free access include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand , among others, while Gulf Cooperation Council members such as the UAE and Qatar have maintained mutual visa exemption agreements for several years. Other nations in Latin America and Europe are also part of the broader programme.

By contrast, some Western and Asian countries still require a standard visa for most travel purposes. India, along with the United States until recently, generally does not currently enjoy 30‑day visa‑free access to China and must rely on longer‑process visas for tourism, business or study, although qualifying Indian travellers might be eligible for transit exemptions. These differences reflect longstanding bilateral visa arrangements and the pace of diplomatic negotiations on travel facilitation.

Business leaders and travellers have welcomed China’s more open entry policies, saying they reduce the burden of costly and time‑consuming visa applications and encourage more frequent exchanges in trade, education and tourism. The move to include the UK and Canada follows recent state visits by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney , underscoring both countries’ interest in strengthening ties with Beijing after years of uneven engagement.