Good news! UK citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. Learn about entry rules, 240-hour transit, and what to prepare.
Check Entry RequirementsNo, 30-day visa-free entry!
UK passport holders can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, and family visits.
UK passport holders enjoy visa-free access to mainland China under China's unilateral policy.
Up to 30 days per entry
Tourism, business, family visits, exchange activities
Until December 31, 2026
The stay duration is calculated from the day after entry.
If you enter on June 15, the 30-day count begins on June 16. You may stay until July 15.
UK citizens can also use 240-hour transit for longer stays under specific conditions:
If you need to stay longer:
If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, apply for the appropriate visa before your trip.
If already in China with a valid reason, apply at local exit-entry administration.
No, UK citizens do not need a visa for short visits to China in 2026. British passport holders can enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, and exchange activities. This is part of China's unilateral visa-free policy, currently effective for the UK until December 31, 2026.
UK citizens can stay in mainland China for up to 30 days per entry without a visa. The 30-day period is calculated from the day after entry and lasts for 30 calendar days. There is no official limit on the number of entries per year.
The duration of stay is calculated from the next day of entry. For example, if you enter China on June 15, the 30-day count begins on June 16 and you may stay until July 15.
Yes. UK citizens can depart for China from any country or region outside mainland China. You do not need to travel directly from the UK to use the visa-free policy.
UK citizens need a valid British ordinary passport covering the intended stay. It is recommended to carry an invitation letter, return or onward air ticket, and hotel reservations matching your purpose of visit. Travel documents, temporary documents, or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not accepted for visa-free entry.
No, visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, family visits, and exchange activities only. It does not cover work, study, news coverage, or similar purposes. If you plan to work, study, or stay longer than 30 days, you must apply for the appropriate visa before entering China.
Yes, UK citizens can transit through China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, provided they have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (different from where they came from), enter through one of 24 eligible ports, and leave mainland China within the time limit.
Use our calculator to see if you qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit.
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