Do UK citizens need a visa for China?
No, UK citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
United Kingdom is one of 50 countries on China’s 30-day visa-free list. With an ordinary UK passport you can stay up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges or transit, entering at any port open to foreigners. The policy currently runs until 31 December 2026. You still need a visa to work, study or stay longer.
Key facts
- United Kingdom passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry, under a policy valid until 31 December 2026.
- United Kingdom passport holders can use China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when flying on to a third country through one of 65 designated ports.
- Visa-free entry never covers paid work, study or journalism.
- Verified against official Chinese government sources on 29 September 2026.
Visa-free options for United Kingdom passports
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Common UK itineraries
- London → Shanghai → London, 14 daysNo visa
30-day visa-free entry.
- London → Beijing → Tokyo, 7 daysNo visa
30-day visa-free entry.
- London → Chengdu → London, 45 daysVisa needed
Longer than 30 days. Every visa-free route is capped at 30 days or less.
- London → Sanya (Hainan) → London, 10 daysNo visa
30-day visa-free entry.
- London → Shanghai → London, February 2027, 20 daysNot confirmed
Only if China renews the 30-day list for 2027. Not announced yet.
240-hour visa-free transit, step by step
- Hold an ordinary UK passport valid for at least 3 more months.
- Book a confirmed onward ticket, with date and seat, to a third country or region leaving within 240 hours. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count.
- Arrive at one of the 65 designated ports, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing and Xiamen airports.
- Tell the airline at check-in and the border officer on arrival that you are using 240-hour transit, and fill in the arrival card.
- Stay within the permitted areas of the 24 provinces covered. You may leave from a different designated port.
The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you arrive. A flight back to where you came from does not count as transit.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for China?
No, UK citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
How long can UK citizens stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 days per entry, counted from 00:00 on the day after you arrive.
Can UK citizens use 240-hour visa-free transit?
Yes. You need an ordinary UK passport valid for at least 3 months, and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region leaving within 240 hours. Enter and leave through any of the 65 designated ports, and stay within the permitted areas of 24 provinces. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as a third region; a flight back to United Kingdom does not.
Can I work in China without a visa?
No. Visa-free entry only covers tourism, business meetings, family visits, exchanges and transit. Paid work needs a Z visa, study an X visa and journalism a J visa.