China Visa-Free Entry for Canadian Citizens: The 30-Day Rule
Canadian passport holders can now enter mainland China without a visa. This page covers what the rule means in practice for Canadian citizens specifically โ for other nationalities, use the China Visa Checker, which covers 68 countries.
Unilateral Chinese visa-free entry for business, tourism, visiting relatives/friends, exchanges, and transit.
Only added to the list on 17 Feb 2026.
Last verified: 2026-07-30
Why this is new
Canada was only added to China's unilateral visa-free list on 17 February 2026, on the same date as the United Kingdom โ before that, a regular visa was required for any trip. If you were told you needed a visa before that date, it's worth checking again: that has changed.
What visa-free entry covers
Business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits, and transit are all covered. It does not cover work, study, or journalistic activities โ those still require a regular visa, regardless of how long the stay is.
How the 30-day period is counted
The 30-day limit is counted in calendar days starting the day after entry โ the day of entry itself doesn't count. It doesn't matter whether you travel alone or as part of a group. There's currently no limit on the number of separate trips within the rule's validity period; each individual trip just can't exceed 30 days.
China's digital arrival card
An arrival card must be filled in before or on entry to China. Since 20 Nov 2025 it can be completed online in advance via the National Immigration Administration's portal, the "็งปๆฐๅฑ12367" app, or a WeChat/Alipay mini-program โ or at the airport via QR-code scan or the classic paper form if you haven't pre-filled it. Last verified: 2026-07-30.
Registering your stay
Under Chinese entry-exit law, every stay by a foreign visitor has to be reported to the local security authorities. At a hotel, this is handled automatically at check-in. If you're staying in private accommodation โ with friends, relatives, or a private rental โ you (or your host) must register in person at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Some rural areas apply different deadlines, so check locally if in doubt.
If you want to stay longer
If the visa-free period isn't enough, there are two options: apply for a regular visa matching your actual purpose before the trip, or โ if you only realize you need more time after arriving, for a valid and sufficient reason โ apply for a residence permit at the local Exit-Entry Administration. Extensions aren't automatic, so it's better to plan ahead than rely on one.
240-hour transit: an option if you don't qualify
Travelers who aren't eligible for full visa-free entry can sometimes still avoid a visa using China's 240-hour (10-day) transit rule โ but only to pass through to a third country, with a confirmed onward ticket, not for a regular stay. Check the China Visa Checker.
Traveling with someone who holds a different passport?
Every nationality has its own rules. Look up any country individually in the China Visa Checker.
FAQ
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for China?
No, not since 17 February 2026. Canadian passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits, or transit. Before that date, a regular visa was required.
How long can Canadians stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 calendar days per trip, counted from the day after entry, with no limit on the number of separate trips within the rule's validity period.
Does this cover a working holiday or study term in China?
No โ visa-free entry doesn't cover work, study, or journalistic activities. A regular visa is still required for those, regardless of the length of stay.
What about the US, right next door โ is it the same rule?
No. The United States is not on the unilateral visa-free list; US passport holders only qualify for the stricter 240-hour transit rule, not a full visa-free stay. Nationality-specific rules can differ a lot even between neighbouring countries.
Canada China visa-free 2026 โ still accurate?
Yes. As of 2026-07-30, Canada remains on China's visa-free list, so Canadian citizens can still enter for up to 30 days without a visa.
Sources
All information on this page is based on the following official sources (as of 2026-07-30):
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