Beijing. British and Canadian citizens can enter China without a visa starting Tuesday, bringing to 79 the number of countries granted visa-free access as Beijing seeks to boost tourism and business.

China has significantly expanded eligibility for the program over the past two years. Under the policy, visitors can stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, exchange programs, and visits to family and friends.

Most European countries qualify for visa-free entry, along with select nations from Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Citizens of several other countries, including the United States and Indonesia, are eligible for a 10-day visa-free stay if they are transiting through China — meaning they hold onward tickets to a third country.

Business executives and tourists have welcomed the move, noting that China’s visa application process has traditionally been relatively cumbersome.

The United Kingdom and Canada are being added following visits to China last month by their prime ministers, Keir Starmer and Mark Carney. Both leaders are relatively new in office and have signaled efforts to reset ties with Beijing after relations cooled in recent years.

For most countries, the visa-free policy is set to expire at the end of this year, though it has been extended previously.

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