My UK friend just booked a flight to China without a visa. Here's what changed in 2026.
So my British colleague Mark walked into the office last week waving his phone around like he'd won something."I just booked a flight to Chengdu," he said. "No visa. Just my passport."
I thought he was joking. Mark's the kind of guy who once showed up at Beijing airport with an expired passport and genuinely didn't understand why they wouldn't let him in. But this time, he was right.
What happened: Starting February 17, 2026, China added the UK and Canada to its 30-day unilateral visa-free entry program. That brings the total number of eligible countries to 79.
Mark had been watching the policy page like a hawk since late 2025. The original unilateral visa-free scheme was supposed to expire December 31, 2025 for most countries. Then in late 2025, China extended it through December 31, 2026.
Here's the current breakdown as of June 2026:
[*] 79 countries now qualify for 30-day visa-free entry
[*] UK and Canada added February 17, 2026
[*] Sweden added November 10, 2025
[*] Indonesia joined the 240-hour transit scheme June 12, 2025
[*] 240-hour transit ports increased from 60 to 65 nationwide
[*] Most policies valid through December 31, 2026
Mark's planning a three-week trip: Chengdu → Xi'an → Beijing. All visa-free.
Of course, I had to play the responsible friend. I made him screenshot the official NIA page, screenshot his return flight booking, and print a rough itinerary. "Just because you don't need a visa doesn't mean border officers won't ask questions," I told him. He rolled his eyes but did it anyway.
One thing to watch: the 30-day unilateral visa-free is still technically a trial policy with an end date. It keeps getting extended, but if you're planning travel for 2027, keep an eye on announcements from the National Immigration Administration around October-December 2026.
Sources: NIA official list, China Briefing policy tracker (March 2026), multiple embassy notices confirming extension to Dec 31, 2026
Anyone else taken advantage of the new UK/Canada access? Or worried about the policy expiring at year-end?
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