canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/gb/to/cn
🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM
🇨🇳CHINAGB-CN

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Up to 30 days visa-free until 31 Dec 2026. Longer or non-tourism trips need an L visa. British ordinary passport holders enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit through 31 December 2026. The visa-free trial was launched on 17 February 2026 and may be renewed. For longer stays or other purposes, apply for an L visa via the China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in the UK. The 240-hour visa-free transit is also available at qualifying ports for travellers continuing to a third country.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-26
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-26
Visa type
Visa-free (30 days) or L visa for longer trips
Maximum stay
30 days visa-free; 30 or 60 days per L visa entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple within waiver period; per L visa otherwise
from issue date
Visa fee
Free (visa-free) or £64 consular + £66 CVASC (L visa)
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival or 4 working days (L visa)
standard track
Validity
Waiver through 31 Dec 2026; L visa up to 10 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check waiver eligibility
30-day visa-free entry covers tourism, business, family/friends visits, exchanges, and transit. Confirm policy still active before flying.
· 31 Dec 2026 cutoff
/02
If visa-free: prepare arrival docs
Carry passport valid 6+ months, confirmed return or onward ticket, and accommodation evidence. Have an itinerary handy.
· return ticket· hotel
/03
If L visa needed: complete COVA
Fill in the China Online Visa Application form at the CVASC website. Print the confirmation page.
· COVA online
/04
Book CVASC appointment
Visit a CVASC in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Belfast. In-person fingerprints required for most first-time applicants under 70.
· CVASC in person
/05
Submit and collect
Pay fees, submit documents and biometrics. Standard processing 4 working days; express and rush options available.
· passport with sticker
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
UK passport
Valid at least 6 months from entry, with 2 blank pages
Return or onward ticket
Required for visa-free entry and transit options
Accommodation evidence
Hotel bookings or host invitation
COVA confirmation (L visa)
Printed online form
Recent passport photo (L visa)
33x48mm, white background, ICAO compliant
Itinerary / travel plan
Day-by-day plan if asked
Funds evidence
Bank statements or credit cards
Invitation letter (L visa, if applicable)
From host individual or organisation
Old passports with prior Chinese visas
Helpful for L visa applications
Health declaration on arrival
Submit when required by current rules
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entry (trial)FreeThrough 31 Dec 2026, up to 30 days
L visa consular fee (UK)£64Single/multiple entry
CVASC service fee£66Standard rate
Express L visa+£313 working days
Urgent L visa+£522 working days
240-hour visa-free transitFreeIf continuing to a third country at a qualifying port
Total estimateFree£250+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

L visa standard
4 working days
From drop-off at the CVASC. Excludes UK and Chinese public holidays.
Express L visa
3 working days
Optional, +£31.
Urgent L visa
2 working days
Optional, +£52.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Insufficient passport validity
Less than 6 months from entry will trigger refusal.
Medium
/02
No return or onward ticket
Airlines may deny boarding under the visa-free rule.
Medium
/03
Wrong waiver purpose
Visa-free covers tourism, business, family, exchanges, transit only. Work, study, or journalism need a different visa.
Medium
/04
Document inconsistencies (L visa)
Form details, invitation letter, or itinerary do not match.
Medium
/05
Prior overstay or breach
Past Chinese overstays or violations weigh against entry.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.
/02
Registration
Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.
/03
Connectivity
Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-26
United Kingdom to China route verified
Confirmed 30-day visa-free trial in effect through 31 December 2026, plus L visa fees (£64 consular + £66 CVASC) for longer trips.
2026-02-17 · major
30-day visa-free entry began
China granted UK ordinary passport holders 30-day visa-free entry for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can I stay longer than 30 days visa-free?
No. The visa-free trial caps stays at 30 days per entry. For longer trips, apply for an L visa or appropriate non-tourist visa.
Do I need to register on arrival?+
What about 240-hour transit?+
Does the waiver cover Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan?+
What happens after 31 December 2026?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Kingdom passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.