Home › United Kingdom passport › China
🇬🇧 Does a British need a visa for China 🇨🇳?
No. British passport holders can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days.
Rule updated from Wikipedia's “Visa requirements for British citizens” (checked 2026-10-04); the older passport-index dataset (January 2025) listed Visa required. Entry rules change: confirm with the embassy of China or its official government website before you travel.
What this means for your trip
Visa-free entry lets you arrive with a valid passport and pass border control without applying in advance.
Border officers can still ask for a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and enough money for your stay, and they decide on entry. The stay limit applies per visit; many countries also cap total days within a period.
Your passport should normally be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have blank pages for stamps; many countries apply this rule.
China at a glance
Capital: Beijing · Currency: Chinese yuan (CNY, ¥) · Official languages: Chinese · Calling code: +86
Plugs and voltage
You need a travel adapter: China uses plug types A, C, I, the United Kingdom uses G. Mains voltage differs (China: 220 V; the United Kingdom: 230 V): most phone and laptop chargers accept 100–240 V, but single-voltage devices such as some hair dryers need a converter.
Your embassy in China
If your passport is lost or stolen, or you need help in an emergency in China, contact the embassy of the United Kingdom:
- Embassy of the United Kingdom, Beijing · 11 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai · gov.uk
- British Consulate General Chongqing · gov.uk
- British Consulate-General Guangzhou · 22/F Guangzhou International Finance Centre, 5 Zhujiang Road West, Zhujiang New Town · gov.uk
- British Consulate-General Shanghai · gov.uk
Missions from Wikidata (CC0), checked 2026-09-26. Addresses and opening hours change: check the mission's website before you go.
The other way round
🇨🇳 Chinese passport holders visiting the United Kingdom: Chinese passport holders need a visa for the United Kingdom, applied for at an embassy or consulate of the United Kingdom before travelling.
The British passport at a glance
All destinations for United Kingdom passport holders → · Who needs a visa for China →
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 a British stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 days per visit, according to the latest data. The border officer decides on entry.
Does a Chinese need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Chinese passport holders need a visa for the United Kingdom, applied for at an embassy or consulate of the United Kingdom before travelling.