China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally added Canada to its unilateral visa-waiver programme, effective 17 February 2026 and running at least until 31 December 2026. At a regular press briefing in Beijing on 26 February, spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated that ordinary Canadian passport holders may now enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges or transit purposes. The announcement follows commitments made during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s January visit to Beijing—the first by a Canadian leader since 2017—and caps weeks of bilateral negotiations aimed at reviving two-way people flows.
For Canadian travellers, the policy removes a time-consuming and costly hurdle: until now, a single-entry Chinese tourist visa typically required an in-person appointment, detailed itinerary, and fees in the C$140 range. The waiver is expected to stimulate outbound leisure travel, reopen incentive-trip programmes and make short-notice executive visits to supply-chain partners in China far easier. Air Canada and WestJet have already said they will review summer capacity plans in light of expected demand.
If you still need assistance—whether for longer-term Chinese visas, last-minute changes, or onward journeys that require additional entry permits—VisaHQ’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers an end-to-end digital application process, document checks, and real-time tracking that can save both travellers and corporate travel teams valuable time.
![China Confirms 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Canadian Passport Holders Until End-2026]()
Canadian companies with manufacturing footprints in the Pearl River or Yangtze River Deltas stand to benefit from simplified movement of engineering teams and quality-assurance staff. Immigration counsel advise, however, that travellers carrying out hands-on technical work should still seek the appropriate work authorisation, as China’s definition of “business activities” remains narrow.
Practically, Canadians may enter visa-free by air, sea or land; passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry and travellers must complete the standard health-declaration QR code in advance. Multiple entries within the year are permitted, but each stay may not exceed 30 consecutive days. The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa confirmed that the policy also applies to arrivals who connect through Hong Kong or Macau.
Travel managers should update booking tools and policy guidance immediately. While the waiver represents a major facilitation step, employers should remind staff that China continues to enforce strict rules on data-carrying devices and some prescription medicines. Affected visitors should consult customs guidelines before departure.
For Canadian travellers, the policy removes a time-consuming and costly hurdle: until now, a single-entry Chinese tourist visa typically required an in-person appointment, detailed itinerary, and fees in the C$140 range. The waiver is expected to stimulate outbound leisure travel, reopen incentive-trip programmes and make short-notice executive visits to supply-chain partners in China far easier. Air Canada and WestJet have already said they will review summer capacity plans in light of expected demand.
If you still need assistance—whether for longer-term Chinese visas, last-minute changes, or onward journeys that require additional entry permits—VisaHQ’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers an end-to-end digital application process, document checks, and real-time tracking that can save both travellers and corporate travel teams valuable time.
Canadian companies with manufacturing footprints in the Pearl River or Yangtze River Deltas stand to benefit from simplified movement of engineering teams and quality-assurance staff. Immigration counsel advise, however, that travellers carrying out hands-on technical work should still seek the appropriate work authorisation, as China’s definition of “business activities” remains narrow.
Practically, Canadians may enter visa-free by air, sea or land; passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry and travellers must complete the standard health-declaration QR code in advance. Multiple entries within the year are permitted, but each stay may not exceed 30 consecutive days. The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa confirmed that the policy also applies to arrivals who connect through Hong Kong or Macau.
Travel managers should update booking tools and policy guidance immediately. While the waiver represents a major facilitation step, employers should remind staff that China continues to enforce strict rules on data-carrying devices and some prescription medicines. Affected visitors should consult customs guidelines before departure.
