Visa free travel to China for UK citizens
China has announced visa-free travel to China for UK citizens for stays under 30 days, marking a major shift in China visa requirements for UK citizens.
China has confirmed that it will relax visa rules for British nationals, opening the door to visa-free travel to China for UK citizens staying less than 30 days. The announcement was made during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to Beijing, as part of a broader diplomatic and economic rapprochement between London and Beijing. If fully implemented, this decision would end the long-standing requirement for a China visa for UK citizens travelling for tourism or business and align the United Kingdom with more than 50 other visa-exempt countries.
📌 China Visa for UK Citizens: What to Know
- 🇨🇳 China is considering visa-free travel for UK citizens
- ⏱️ Short stays of up to 30 days would be covered
- 🧳 Tourism and business travel would be included
- 📅 No official start date has been announced yet
- 🌍 The UK would join 50+ visa-exempt countries
China has confirmed that it will relax visa rules for British nationals, allowing visa-free travel to China for UK citizens staying less than 30 days. The announcement came during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to Beijing in January 2026, a visit widely seen as a turning point in Sino-British relations after several years of diplomatic distance.
During meetings at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that Beijing was prepared to “actively consider the implementation of unilateral visa-free access for the United Kingdom.” Shortly afterwards, the UK government confirmed that China had agreed to ease its visa policy for British citizens, explicitly referencing short-term travel for tourism and business.
This confirmation has immediately raised questions among travelers and companies alike, notably: Do UK citizens need a visa for China? For now, the answer remains yes — but the rules are set to change.
According to statements released by the UK Prime Minister’s Office, China has agreed in principle to end the visa requirement for UK citizens travelling for under 30 days. This would cover:
Once implemented, UK citizens would no longer need a China tourist visa for UK citizens for these short stays. The UK government has confirmed that this change would place British nationals on the same footing as citizens of more than 50 countries already benefiting from visa-free entry to China.
Yes. Despite the announcement, UK citizens still need a visa for China at the time of writing.
Current China visa requirements for UK citizens remain in force until Chinese authorities officially implement the exemption. This means travelers must still complete a China visa application for UK citizens before departure, regardless of whether they are travelling for tourism or business.
Authorities have emphasized that travelers should not assume visa-free entry until the new policy is formally published and applied at border checkpoints.
Until the exemption becomes effective, the standard process applies. A China visa application for UK citizens typically requires:
The most common option remains the China tourist visa for UK citizens, usually issued for single or multiple entries depending on the applicant’s profile.
China’s decision to include the United Kingdom in its visa-free framework is part of a broader reopening strategy launched since late 2023.
Over the past two years, Beijing has gradually expanded visa free travel to China for selected countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond. France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan are among the countries already benefiting from short-stay exemptions.
By extending similar treatment to the UK, China signals its willingness to deepen engagement with major economic partners while simplifying mobility for travelers.
Visa policy was a central issue raised by British companies operating in China. More than 60 representatives from UK businesses accompanied Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the visit, reflecting strong private-sector interest in improved market access.
Sectors expected to benefit most include:
The UK currently exports around £13 billion worth of services to China annually, and business leaders have long argued that simplified travel rules are essential to sustain and expand this trade.
From Beijing’s perspective, easing entry rules for British nationals supports several objectives:
The UK government has also underlined that easier travel will help British companies respond to growing Chinese demand, particularly in financial, legal, digital and professional services.
Despite the strong language used by both governments, no official implementation date has been announced.
Chinese authorities have described the policy as being “under active consideration”, while UK officials have framed it as a concrete outcome of the visit. This cautious approach mirrors recent announcements involving other countries, such as Canada, where visa facilitation was announced without an immediate timeline.
For now, travelers must continue to comply with existing China visa requirements for UK citizens.
👉 The announcement was confirmed in an official press release published on 29 January 2026 by the UK Prime Minister’s Office:
The statement explicitly notes that China will relax visa rules for British citizens, ending the requirement for travel under 30 days.
Until visa-free travel to China for UK citizens is officially implemented:
Travelers are advised to check entry requirements shortly before departure, as implementation details may vary.
If implemented, visa-free travel to China for UK citizens would represent one of the most significant changes in bilateral mobility in decades. It would:
For now, the change remains pending, but the direction is clear.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
Yes. At this stage, UK citizens still need a visa for China. Despite recent announcements, the current China visa requirements for UK citizens remain in force until Chinese authorities officially implement visa-free travel. Travelers must continue to submit a China visa application for UK citizens before departure, whether travelling for tourism or business.
Once implemented, visa-free travel to China for UK citizens will apply to short stays of up to 30 days. According to official statements, this exemption will cover both tourism and business travel, meaning UK visitors will no longer need a China tourist visa for UK citizens for short-term trips. Long-term stays will still require a visa.
No official start date has been announced yet. Both governments confirmed the policy in principle, but Chinese authorities stated that the measure is still under active review. Until a formal announcement is made, UK citizens need a visa for China, and existing China visa requirements for UK citizens continue to apply.