Short answer: no, for stays of 30 days or less. Since 17 February 2026, holders of ordinary Canadian passports may enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days. The policy is currently valid until 31 December 2026.
What the 30 days cover
Permitted purposes are tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits and transit. That covers almost every holiday and short business trip.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Maximum stay per entry | 30 days |
| Advance application | None |
| Fee | None |
| Valid until | 31 December 2026 |
| Extendable inside China? | Generally no — plan to leave within 30 days |
What it does not cover
Visa-free entry is not a work permit. Employment, formal study and journalism all require the appropriate visa, obtained before you travel, even though Canadians are otherwise visa-free. If you plan to stay beyond 30 days, apply for a visa instead.
At the border, an immigration officer may ask for your return ticket, hotel bookings and proof of sufficient funds. Carry them. Entry is a permission, not a guarantee.
How to use your 30 days well
Thirty visa-free days is enough for a genuinely substantial trip — three or four cities with real time in each, rather than a rushed seven-city dash. A common shape: Beijing (4) → Xi'an (2) → Chengdu (3) → Shanghai (4), connected entirely by high-speed rail, with days left over for a Yangtze or Guilin extension.
FAQ
Do I need to register anywhere after arriving? Hotels register foreign guests automatically. If you stay in a private residence, you must register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival — your host or our team can help.
Does a short business trip count as a permitted purpose? Yes. Business meetings, factory visits and trade fairs are all covered under the visa-free policy for short stays. Paid employment is not.
What happens if my flight is delayed and I overstay by a day? Overstaying, even unintentionally, can attract a fine and a record. Build a buffer day into the end of your trip rather than cutting it fine.
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Last updated: 10 September 2026. Sources: National Immigration Administration of China; Chinese embassies in Singapore and Malaysia.
