Beijing:Chinahas announced a visa-free entry and stay in the country for up to 30 days to the citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada. People visiting the country for business, tourism, exchange programs, or family visits will be able to stay for up to 30 days without a visa. The relaxation will be effective from February 17 (tomorrow, Tuesday) onwards. In a notice announcing its visa waiver policy for British and Canadian citizens, China said, "From 00:00 on February 17 to December 31, 2026, ordinary passport holders from the UK and Canada can be exempted from a visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family-friends visits, exchange, and transit purposes." However, the notice mentioned that those who do not meet the above visa-free requirements still need to obtain a visa before traveling to China.
This brings to 79 the number of countries granted visa-free access in a bid to boost tourism and business.China has expandedeligibility for the program significantly in the last two years. Visitors can stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, exchange programs and to visit family and friends.
Most Europeans qualify for visa-free entry, along with some from select countries in other regions including Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Citizens of a few other countries, including the United States and Indonesia, can enter for 10 days if they are in transit — meaning they have a ticket departing for a different country than they arrived from.
Business executives and tourists have welcomed the change, as the China visa application process can be a relatively cumbersome one.
The UK and Canada are being added following visits to China last month by their prime ministers, Keir Starmer and Mark Carney. Both are relatively new leaders who are trying to revamp ties with Beijing after a downturn in recent years.
For most countries, the visa-free access expires at the end of this year, but it has been extended in the past.
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