British citizens will soon be able to get visa-free travel to China – here’s what you need to know

At the moment, Brits travelling to China have to go through quite the slog before even getting to the airport. They’ve got to apply for a visa at least three months in advance of their trip, pay at least £130 for the visa (up to £250 if they want it quickly) and physically go to one of the UK’s four China visa offices for their fingerprints to be taken. But soon, none of that will be necessary. 

On January 29, Keir Starmer announced that UK citizens will soon be able to visit China visa-free. That’s set to benefit hundreds of thousands of travellers – according to data from the Office of National Statistics, around 620,000 Brits flew to China in 2024. 

We’re joining citizens of around 50 other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany, who are already able to visit the country without a visa. In fact, most Europeans are now able to go to China visa-free. Here’s everything you need to know about the new rules. 

How long will Brits be able to visit China visa-free? 

UK citizens will be able to travel visa-free to China for trips up to 30 days. That covers both business trips and tourism. 

When will Brits be able to travel to China visa-free?

There are no details yet on exactly when Brits will be able to start going to China visa-free. 

What did the prime minister say about the visa deal? 

Announcing the new visa-free policy, Keir Starmer said: ‘As one of the world's economic powerhouses, businesses have been crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China. We'll make it easier for them to do so - including via relaxed visa rules for short-term travel - supporting them to expand abroad, all while boosting growth and jobs at home.’

What about trips longer than 30 days? 

Anyone planning to stay in China for longer than 30 days will still need to acquire a visa before travelling. 

ICYMI: The UK’s new dual citizenship passport rules for 2026 explained.

Plus: The UK has climbed the global passport power rankings – here’s where British passports rank in 2026.

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