In a surprise move that signals a thaw in Sino-British relations, President Xi Jinping on 8 February 2026 confirmed that UK passport holders will be able to enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. The announcement follows the 29–31 January Starmer–Xi summit in Beijing, where trade and mobility topped the agenda.
Until now the UK had been excluded from China’s limited visa-waiver pilots, forcing business travellers to endure multi-page applications, fingerprinting and a £151 single-entry fee. The new regime—expected to start within three months—covers tourism, business meetings, family visits and transit, but excludes paid employment.
Corporate Britain stands to benefit immediately. Mobility teams can eliminate 7–10 days of lead-time for short-term assignments, while exporters anticipate lower trip costs and faster deal cycles. Airlines may also see rebound demand on London–Shanghai and Manchester–Beijing routes, many of which remain below pre-pandemic frequency.
For UK citizens who still need documentation for longer stays, multiple entries or onward travel elsewhere in Asia, VisaHQ offers a quick way to cut through red tape. The platform provides step-by-step guidance, real-time status tracking and dedicated advisers for China and 200+ other destinations—full details are available at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/
However, risk managers caution that China reserves the right to suspend the waiver unilaterally and that sensitive sectors (defence, NGOs, journalism) may still face secondary screening. UK officials have not suggested reciprocal easing for Chinese nationals, who continue to require visas for the UK.
Companies with a China footprint should update travel policies, brief employees on the 30-day cap, and ensure dual nationals carry a UK passport to qualify. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is expected to issue formal guidance once an implementation date is published.
