Embassy
Embassy of the United Kingdom, Beijing
Beijing
11 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai 100600
China visa requirements for British citizens
British citizens do not need a visa for China. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.
Passport
GBR
United Kingdom
Going to
CHN
China
No visa needed
People with eligible ordinary passports can visit without a visa for up to 30 days.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 30 days
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for British citizens in China
- 30-day visa-free stay if arriving by December 31, 2026.
- During which, may freely travel within the 24 provinces permitted for visa-free transit and engage in tourism, business, and visits.
- 5-day port visa (Visa on Arrival) for Shenzhen if arriving at designated ports of entry from Hong Kong by land or sea, for stays within Shenzhen.
- 3-day port visa (Visa on Arrival) if arriving in Zhuhai or Xiamen at designated ports of entry, for stays within the respective city.
- May further travel inland to all regions of coastal provinces (and equivalents) and Beijing.
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in China.
Ways into China
Get a tourist visa unless your passport allows visa-free entry.
Visa not required For your passport30-day visa-free stayPeople with eligible ordinary passports can visit without a visa for up to 30 days.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Fee
- Free
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Check your passport country and the policy end date.
- Check that your visit purpose is allowed.
- Bring your ordinary passport to the border.
Documents required
- Ordinary passport valid throughout your stay
- Count 30 days from the day after entry; border staff decide entry.
- Work, formal study, reporting, temporary passports and emergency travel papers are excluded.
eVisaShanghai electronic port visaAn online port visa for invited travellers who meet the entry rules.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 15 days
- Fee
- Pay after approval
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Fill in the form and sign the declaration.
- Send passport scans, photos and papers to your host.
- Ask your host to submit the online application.
- Ask your host to pay and download approval.
- Carry your passport and approval when travelling.
Documents required
- Application form
- Signed declaration
- Full passport scan, including blank pages
- Recent digital colour photo
- Host's application letter
- Proof of visit purpose
- This route needs an invitation; it is not a general tourist eVisa.
- The 15-day entry window starts on the day the visa is made.
Visa on arrivalUrgent port visaA visa for urgent trips when you cannot get a visa abroad in time.
How to apply
- Contact officials at your planned entry port before travel.
- Seek approval before travelling.
- Provide your passport and proof of the urgent need.
- Apply at the agreed port when you arrive.
Documents required
- Valid passport or accepted travel document
- Proof of urgent need
- Business invitation, if needed
- Written reason for urgency, if needed
- Advance acceptance notice, if provided
- Port officials decide approval; an acceptance notice is not a visa.
- Tour groups need advance applications by their Chinese travel agency.
Visa requiredL tourist visaA visa for people visiting mainland China for tourism.
- Fee
- £64
How to apply
- Fill in your embassy's online form.
- Wait for the online review.
- Submit your passport and the other papers requested.
- Pay and collect your passport as told.
Documents required
- Passport
- Application form
- Photo, if requested
- Proof of residence, if requested
- Past Chinese documents, if needed
- Trip details or invitation, if requested
- 2 blank pages
- Fee shown is for UK passports.
- This fee excludes 5-year and 10-year visas.
- This is the visa fee, not the full application cost.
- Check your visa for your stay, entry deadline and number of entries.
- Fees, wait times and required papers depend on where you apply.
Sources (30)Last updated 11 November 2026
- National Immigration Administration: transit policies, 20 August 2026
- National Immigration Administration: transit policies in Chinese
- National Immigration Administration: unilateral exemption countries
- Foreign ministry consular service: mutual visa exemption list
- National Immigration Administration: mutual exemption FAQ
- National Immigration Administration: regional exemptions, 20 August 2026
- National Immigration Administration: regional exemptions in Chinese
- National Immigration Administration: Xishuangbanna group exemption
- National Immigration Administration: port visa FAQ
- Foreign ministry: China Online Visa Application System; JavaScript required
- Embassy in the United States: visa application requirements and procedures
- Embassy in the United States: reduced visa fees through 2026
- Embassy in the United States: visa-free entry FAQ
- Embassy in the United Kingdom: mainland visa classes and visa terminology
- Embassy in the United Kingdom: reduced visa fees through 2026
- Embassy in the United Kingdom: fingerprint exemption through 2026
- Embassy in India: visa application notice updated 22 October 2026
- Embassy in India: consular fee schedule
- Consulate in Barcelona: visa-free FAQ updated 21 May 2026
- Embassy in Russia: unilateral exemption extended through 2027
- Embassy in the Bahamas: visa requirements, updated April 2026
- Embassy in Papua New Guinea: Q1 and Q2 visas
- Embassy in Pakistan: visa application instructions
- Embassy in Iran: visa requirements including medical S2
- Shanghai Public Security Bureau: electronic port visa portal
- Shanghai Public Security Bureau: individual port visa application
- Shanghai government: electronic port visa service guide
- Shanghai government: individual port visa service guide
- Shanghai government: current 240-hour transit scheme
- Sanya government: Guilin group exemption
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Consulate general
British Consulate-General, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
1 Supreme Court Road
Consulate general
British Consulate-General Shanghai
Shanghai
Coming from United Kingdom
- Plugs A IAdapter needed
- MoneyCNY ¥
- Time+16h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageChinese
- Emergency110 police120 ambulance
Planning your China trip
- Forbidden City, BeijingA major historic palace attraction. Tickets must be reserved online in advance and are linked to your identity document.
- GuilinKnown for its striking limestone landscapes, which have inspired painters and poets.
- HuangshanIts granite peaks have inspired Chinese art and poetry for generations.
- JiuzhaigouThe source highlights its breathtaking natural scenery.
Scams to watch for in China
- Fake antiquesA seller presents a modern item as an antique. Most supposed antiques offered to visitors are fakes, even when they look convincing.
- Pyramid and Ponzi investment schemesCriminals draw people into dishonest investment schemes. These schemes are described as widespread in Chengdu. Operators may become violent if they think they will be exposed.
- Unofficial taxi and queue-jumping toutsA tout approaches you before you reach the official taxi stand. They offer a fixed fare or a way to skip the queue. The fare can be much higher than a metered ride.
About China
China is an East Asian state, third in the world by land area, bordering fourteen countries.
- Capital
- Beijing
- Money
- Chinese yuan (¥)
- Languages
- Chinese
- Time zone
- UTC+08:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +86
Other Europe passports
Going to China
Easier trips nearby
Places close to China with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Is entry to China restricted for British citizens?
30-day visa-free stay if arriving by December 31, 2026. During which, may freely travel within the 24 provinces permitted for visa-free transit and engage in tourism, business, and visits.
Can British citizens visit any city in China?
No. Visas are limited to: 30-day visa-free stay in Hainan Island, if arriving on the island directly from outside Mainland China such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or any country with direct flights to the island., 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit to a third country or region (including Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan) using any mode of transport., 15-day visa-free entry for cruise ship passengers in tour groups, if arriving at any cruise port along China's coastline, including but not limited to Tianjin; Dalian; Shanghai; Lianyungang; Wenzhou; Zhoushan; Xiamen; Qingdao; Guangzhou; Shenzhen; Beihai; Haikou; Sanya..
Where can British citizens enter China?
Only through: 24-hour visa-free transit to a third country or region (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), is available at most international airports, without leaving the airport., Travellers who need to leave the airport may obtain a temporary entry permit from immigration..
Do british citizens need a visa for China?
British citizens do not need a visa for China. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.
How long can british citizens stay in China?
Up to 30 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do chinese citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Chinese citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Europe passports get easier entry to China?
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus Belgium, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near China are easier for british citizens?
Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia South Korea, and 3 more let british citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to China?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in China?
Chinese yuan (¥). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in China?
Chinese.
How strong is the United Kingdom passport?
It ranks #7 and reaches 155 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck