You may enter China visa-free for up to 30 days
Based on your passport (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), you appear to qualify under China’s unilateral visa-free policy for short stays of up to 30 days.
What this means for your trip
- Passport valid for at least the length of your stay (policy max: 30 days)
- Purpose of visit should match permitted short-stay activities
- Round-trip or onward ticket may be requested
- Hotel / police registration within 24 hours if required
- Do not overstay — extensions are generally not available under visa-free entry
Notes for United Kingdom passport holders
- The UK joined China’s unilateral visa-free list on 17 February 2026 for ordinary passport holders on short tourism and business stays.
- The thin “emergency” 12-page UK passport is excluded from visa-free entry — if you hold one, apply for a visa regardless of nationality.
- Visa-free stays are currently framed through 31 December 2026 for most unilateral countries; recheck before booking non-refundable travel after that date.
- British travelers still need the correct visa for work, study, journalism, or stays longer than the published day limit.
Route planning
Common gateways from the UK include Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, with many itineraries continuing by high-speed rail to Xi’an, Chengdu, or Hangzhou.
240-hour transit
Based on your passport (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), you appear to qualify under China’s unilateral visa-free policy for short stays of up to 30 days.
The permitted stay area depends on your entry port. Enter your exact route in the checker before relying on this option.