Starting February 17, 2026, Canadian passport holders can travel to China without a visa for up to 30 days. This new policy, announced by the People’s Republic of China, covers various purposes such as business, tourism, personal visits, and transit. The visa-free access will be in effect until at least December 31, 2026.

There is no confirmation yet on whether this policy will be extended beyond the specified date. However, Canadian citizens will still require visas for activities like paid employment, long-term studies, or stays exceeding 30 days in China.

Additionally, citizens of the United Kingdom will also benefit from this visa-free travel privilege to China under the same conditions.

Prior to this change, Canadians faced visa requirements for visiting China, leading to lengthy processing times. The recent adjustment now allows Canadian nationals to stay in China for transit up to 30 days, an increase from the previous 10-day limit at select entry points.

Canada now joins a list of 49 countries exempt from visa requirements when traveling to China. This development marks a significant shift in travel regulations between the two nations.