Beijing (TDI): Beijing will allow citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada to enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days starting from Tuesday.
The visa exemption applies to tourism, business, and visits to family and friends, and will initially remain in effect until December 31, 2026. The move follows British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to China last month, during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to relax travel arrangements and strengthen bilateral ties.
China’s foreign ministry said the policy “will further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries.” Keir Starmer noted that the agreement will make it easier for British businesses to expand operations in China.
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The new arrangement brings UK and Canadian travellers in line with citizens of around 50 other countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Japan, who already enjoy visa-free access.
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, approximately 620,000 British nationals visited China in 2024, suggesting hundreds of thousands could benefit from the policy.
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During his visit, the UK prime minister also discussed deepening trade cooperation in services, healthcare, green technology, and finance, though no comprehensive free trade agreement was announced. The also trip included approval of a new Chinese embassy in central London.
