China Without a Visa
Canadians can visit China for up to 30 days without a visa, but only until 31 December. For a 2027 trip, check the rules before booking.
Canadians don’t need a visa to visit China this year, but that runs out at the end of December.
Since 17 February 2026, Canadian passport holders can enter China visa-free and stay up to 30 days, according to the Chinese Embassy in Canada. Canada and the United Kingdom were added to China’s unilateral visa-exemption list on the same date. The 30 days start the day after you arrive. You can visit for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges or transit. Working and studying aren’t allowed. You need a valid ordinary passport.
The scheme now covers 50 countries and, for most of them including Canada, runs until 31 December 2026. The embassy hasn’t announced an extension into 2027. China has extended its visa-free list before, and both of the last two extensions were announced in November, in 2024 and 2025. Until an extension is announced, though, assume a trip in 2027 needs a visa.
- Visa-free scheme extendedAnnounced in November
- Scheme extended againAnnounced in November
- Canada and the UK addedStays of up to 30 days
- Current scheme endsNo 2027 extension announced yet
Americans and other passports
The United States isn’t on the 30-day list. American travelling companions can use China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit instead. China’s National Immigration Administration says that policy covers nationals of 57 countries, including the US and Canada, at 65 entry ports in 24 provinces and municipalities. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. A stop in Shanghai between Tokyo and Seoul can qualify. A return trip from Vancouver or Los Angeles to Beijing can’t.
Luxury advisors have noticed. Virtuoso‘s 2027 Luxe Report, released 30 September, names China the No. 1 destination on the rise and credits broader visa-free policies with making the country “easier to plan, navigate and recommend.”
Takeaway: If you hold a Canadian passport, a China trip this autumn needs no visa. For anything after 31 December, check the embassy’s page before you pay for flights you can’t refund. Advisors should pitch China to Canadian clients now, budget time for a visa on 2027 trips unless an extension is announced, and build American clients’ itineraries around a third-country onward flight.
Sources
- https://ca.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsyw/VisaFree/VisaFreeEntryA/202506/t20250609_11643310.htm (Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada)
- https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202602/15/content_WS6991bc11c6d00ca5f9a092d6.html
- https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183412/content.html (National Immigration Administration)
- Virtuoso, 2027 Luxe Report press release, 30 Sept 2026