To further facilitate cross-border travel, China has implemented a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom, effective from February 17th, 2026, to December 31st, 2026. Eligible travelers can enter China for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transit, with a single stay of no more than 30 days, without the need to apply for a visa. The combined effect of this newly implemented policy and the Chinese New Year holiday has attracted a large number of foreign visitors eager to experience a distinctive "Chinese New Year," leading to a surge in inbound passenger traffic at Shenzhen's Huanggang Port and Futian Port.

On February 17th, the first day of the Chinese New Year, the 24-hour Huanggang Port welcomed the first group of Canadian and British nationals to enter under the new visa-free policy in the early hours. Many of these travelers were overseas Chinese returning for family reunions. "I have been working in China for several years. With this visa-free policy now in place, it's much more convenient for my family to visit me. This is really a great policy," said a British national working in China after completing his entry inspection.

Garreth Richard Evans, a British national whose birthday happened to fall on that day, decided to bring his family of four to Shenzhen immediately upon learning about the visa-free policy. "Today is truly my lucky day!" he excitedly told the immigration officers from the Huanggang checkpoint while going through the entry procedures. Guided by the officers on duty, his family efficiently completed the online Arrival Card declarations and the inspection process, smoothly embarking on their special journey to experience the Chinese New Year.

加拿大、英国免签入境政策落地，深圳皇岗、福田口岸迎入境高峰

为进一步便利中外人员往来，中国决定自2026年2月17日起至2026年12月31日，对加拿大、英国持普通护照人员来华经商、旅游观光、探亲访友、交流访问及过境，单次停留不超过30天，实施免办签证入境。政策红利正式生效与中国传统新春佳节的双重喜悦，吸引了大批外籍旅客来华体验别样“中国年”，深圳皇岗、福田口岸迎来一波入境客流高峰。

2月17日，恰逢大年初一，24小时通关的皇岗口岸凌晨时段就迎来了首批享受免签政策入境的加拿大、英国籍旅客，其中多数为专程回国探亲的华人华侨。“我已经在中国工作好几年了，现在有了免签政策，家人来中国就方便多了，这项政策真的很好。”一位在华工作的英国旅客办理完入境查验手续后说。

恰逢生日的英国的埃文斯·加雷思·理查德（EVANS GARRETH RICHARD）先生在得知免签政策后，立即决定携带一家四人共赴深圳。“今天真是幸运日！”办理入境手续时，他兴奋地向皇岗边检站移民管理警察说。在执勤民警的引导下，一家人高效完成了外国人入境卡网上申报及查验流程，顺利踏上了体验中国新年的特别旅程。

文｜记者 张璐瑶 通讯员 黄俊生 杨旭莹 黄千佩
图｜皇岗边检站
译｜黄健新
英文审校｜曾敏