United Kingdom passport → China
Do British citizens need a visa for China?
British passport holders can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days.
Sources differ on this route: another dataset lists it as visa required. Confirm on the official website before you travel.
What this means for your trip
- Carry a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates; this is the most common rule.
- Immigration may ask for a return or onward ticket, hotel bookings and proof of funds.
- Visa-free entry is for tourism and short visits. Work and long stays need a proper visa.
China at a glance
- Capital
- Beijing
- Currency
- Chinese yuan (CNY)
- Languages
- Chinese
- Calling code
- +86
- Region
- Eastern Asia
China for other passports
IndiaVisa required
United StatesVisa required- United KingdomVisa-free30 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free30 days
SingaporeVisa-free30 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required
CanadaVisa-free30 days
Nearby in Eastern Asia for British passport holders
Hong KongVisa-free180 days
JapanVisa-free90 days
MacaoVisa-free180 days
MongoliaVisa-free30 days
South KoreaVisa-free90 days
TaiwanVisa-free90 days
North KoreaVisa required
Common questions
Do British citizens need a visa for China?
British passport holders can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days.
How long can British citizens stay in China?
Up to 30 days under the current visa-free rule. Longer stays need a different visa.
Can British citizens get a visa on arrival in China?
You do not need one: entry is visa-free.
How many countries can British citizens visit without a visa?
156 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The United Kingdom passport ranks #8 of 94 (passports with equal scores share a rank).
Source: Wikipedia, Visa requirements for British citizens (edited 4 Oct 2026), CC BY-SA 4.0. Last checked 11 Oct 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the official embassy or immigration website of China before you travel.