China entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 6 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – China travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 27 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter China, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Driving in China, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence · Australian licence
Do I need a visa for China with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.
Until 31 December 2026, you can enter China visa free for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friend visits or transit.
This policy applies to all holders of standard British passports whose nationality is listed as ‘British citizen.’ Holders of British Crown Dependency passports whose nationality is listed as ‘British citizen’ are eligible for this policy.
If you travel to China for any other reason (this includes paid work, long-term assignments, journalism, or study) or for a stay exceeding 30 days, you must apply for a visa before your trip to China.
If you have any doubt about your eligibility, verify the conditions for visa free entry with the Chinese Embassy in London.
If you visit China without the appropriate visa or visa free access you will be refused entry.
Holders of Emergency Travel Documents are not allowed to enter China without a visa.
Visa requirements for Hong Kong and Macao are different.
Applying for a visa
Unless you meet the requirement for visa-free access, you must arrange a visa before travelling to China.
If you’re 14 to 70 years old, you must apply for a visa online and then go in person to a visa for China application centre. Officials will take a scan of your fingerprints as part of your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. If you’re aged 13 or under, or 71 or over, you do not have to attend in person, but someone will need to submit your application on your behalf.
The Chinese Embassy has further information on visa categories and how to apply.
If you visit Hong Kong from mainland China and want to return to the mainland, you need a visa that allows you to make a second entry into China.
Check your visa details carefully and do not overstay your visa. The authorities carry out regular checks and may fine, detain and deport you.
If you want to stay in China longer than 6 months, you may need to get a residence permit.
More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)
Teaching visas
Teachers have been detained and deported for working on the wrong visa. It is your responsibility to check you’re working on the correct visa.
Official source: GOV.UK – China travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 27 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To enter China, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and 2 blank pages for visas and stamping.
If you renew your passport while you are in China, contact your local exit and entry office or call the national immigration service hotline on 12367, before or immediately upon receipt.
Official source: GOV.UK – China travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 27 August 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for China
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Blank pages: the official text says “…2 blank pages…”. The checker does not count pages.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 August 2026: “Updated information about visa requirements ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 23 April 2026: “Updated information about visa requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 16 February 2026: “Addition of information that from 17 February until 31 December 2026, you can enter China visa free for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friend visits, or transit ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 27 October 2025: “Updated information about visa requirements in China ('Entry requirements' page).”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for China (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (6 months after arrival)
and 79 more destinations with the same rule: see all
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status