2026-02-15 14:25
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2026-02-15 14:25
China is expanding its unilateral visa-free travel program to include Canada and Great Britain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday. From Tuesday, February 17, citizens of these countries will be able to enter the Middle Kingdom without visas for a period of up to 30 days. This confirms the findings following the January visits of the heads of both governments to Beijing.
“Holders of ordinary passports from these countries can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visits to relatives or friends, exchange or transit,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
This step is a direct consequence of the January diplomatic trips to Beijing by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Both leaders then expressed their will to strengthen bilateral relations, which coincides with the cooling of their relations with the United States.
The authorities in Beijing declare that the purpose of the changes is to “further facilitate people-to-people exchanges.” Experts emphasize, however, that the real motivation is to stimulate the slowing economy and revive incoming tourism, which has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The unilateral visa waiver program, which already covers nearly 50 countries, is to be valid until December 31, 2026. A separate agreement, expiring earlier, on September 14 this year, covers Russian citizens.
The list of beneficiaries also includes Poland, whose citizens can use these entry facilities on the same terms as the British or French.
From Beijing Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)
krp/ sp/
