Passport country guide
China Visa Requirements for UK Citizens
Check whether UK citizens may visit China visa-free, use 240-hour transit, and prepare the right entry documents.
Direct answer
Do UK citizens need a visa for China?
UK ordinary passport holders are listed in China’s current unilateral 30-day visa-free policy for eligible short-term purposes. UK citizens are also listed for the 240-hour transit visa-free policy when the transit route meets the official conditions.
This page is a practical pre-check, not legal advice. Final entry decisions are made by official authorities and immigration inspection at the port.
Quick status
Entry options at a glance.
Use this summary to choose the right next step: ordinary visa-free travel, transit visa-free travel, or a standard visa application.
Interactive pre-check
Check your exact trip details
30-Day Visa-Free Check
Passport-based for listed ordinary passport holders and eligible short-stay purposes. Use this when China is your main destination or your trip goes beyond the 240-hour transit permitted-area table.
Transit note
240-hour transit is route-based, not just passport-based.
The 240-hour policy generally requires a valid international travel document and onward ticket with confirmed date and seat to a third country or region. Your route, port, time in China, and permitted stay area matter.
For example, a route like London → Shanghai → Tokyo may be a transit pattern, while a round trip that returns to the same country may not meet the third-country/region condition.
Related country guides
Compare other passport guides.
You can also review the other country guides below.