China Passport & Visa Information

What passport and visa do I need to visit China?

Passports

British visitors to China must travel on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport and ensure that the passport has at least six months validity from the date you arrive in China. It must be undamaged with no pages missing.  

You will also require at least two blank pages for immigration purposes. Please check that your passport complies with the above well in advance of travel. If you do not have a British passport please contact the nearest Chinese Embassy for advice.

Visas for China

Until 31 December 2026, British passport holders can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business and transit purposes. If your stay is longer than 30 days, you must apply for a China visa before you depart on your trip. If conditions are met for visa-free entry into China, there are no restrictions relating to the number of visa-free entries allowed under the current visa-free policy, including time between visits. Please check here for the latest information: gb.chinaembassy.gov.cn.

If you do not meet the requirements for visa free travel, you need to complete the visa application online and then go in person to a China application centre, currently located in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh.

Once you have completed your application, if you are 14 to 70 years old, you must attend one of the visa centres in person where officials will take a scan of your fingerprints. If you are 13 or under or 71 or over, you do not need to attend in person, but someone will need to submit the application on your behalf. For up-to-date information, costs and how to apply online please visit: visaforchina.cn/globle.

British passport holders can also enter Hong Kong and Macao for up to 6 months without a visa. Please ask the Bamboo Travel team for further information.

Find out more about our tours of China. To discuss your travel needs, you can complete an enquiry form or call our Asia experts on 020 7720 9285.