China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expanded its unilateral 30-day visa-waiver programme to cover ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 50. The change took effect on 17 February and was confirmed in Beijing on 20 February.(visaverge.com)
While the policy applies to direct arrivals on the mainland, Hong Kong stands to benefit as a preferred hub. Many long-haul carriers—including Air Canada and British Airways—operate multiple daily services into Hong Kong, with travellers then connecting onwards by high-speed rail or short-haul flights to mainland cities under the same 30-day waiver.
For Hong Kong-based corporates the move reduces lead times for hosting UK and Canadian clients in Greater Bay Area factories and tech parks. Previously, those travellers needed to secure single-entry visas costing up to CA$145 or £151 and involving biometrics appointments. The waiver removes that friction until at least 31 December 2026, the date through which the scheme is currently authorised.
![China adds Canada and UK to 30-day visa-free list, opening new channels via Hong Kong]()
Travel agents predict a 15 % spike in bookings from UK secondary cities to Hong Kong for spring trade fairs in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Airport Authority Hong Kong said it will ramp up marketing of the Air-Sea-Land Transit Hub package that gives connecting passengers lounge access and through-ticketed ferry or coach transfers into the mainland.
If your passport is not yet on China’s visa-free list—or if you need a longer or multiple-entry permit—VisaHQ’s experienced team in Hong Kong can streamline the paperwork, lodge applications on your behalf and track approvals in real time. Learn more or start an order at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
Companies should still remind staff that the 30-day count begins on arrival in China, not Hong Kong. Multiple entries are allowed only by exiting to Hong Kong or Macao and re-entering, which triggers a new 30-day clock.
While the policy applies to direct arrivals on the mainland, Hong Kong stands to benefit as a preferred hub. Many long-haul carriers—including Air Canada and British Airways—operate multiple daily services into Hong Kong, with travellers then connecting onwards by high-speed rail or short-haul flights to mainland cities under the same 30-day waiver.
For Hong Kong-based corporates the move reduces lead times for hosting UK and Canadian clients in Greater Bay Area factories and tech parks. Previously, those travellers needed to secure single-entry visas costing up to CA$145 or £151 and involving biometrics appointments. The waiver removes that friction until at least 31 December 2026, the date through which the scheme is currently authorised.
Travel agents predict a 15 % spike in bookings from UK secondary cities to Hong Kong for spring trade fairs in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Airport Authority Hong Kong said it will ramp up marketing of the Air-Sea-Land Transit Hub package that gives connecting passengers lounge access and through-ticketed ferry or coach transfers into the mainland.
If your passport is not yet on China’s visa-free list—or if you need a longer or multiple-entry permit—VisaHQ’s experienced team in Hong Kong can streamline the paperwork, lodge applications on your behalf and track approvals in real time. Learn more or start an order at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
Companies should still remind staff that the 30-day count begins on arrival in China, not Hong Kong. Multiple entries are allowed only by exiting to Hong Kong or Macao and re-entering, which triggers a new 30-day clock.
