China Visa Update — 28 June 2026

visa • 28 June 2026

UK passport holders can now enter China **visa-free for up to 30 days** under a policy extended until **31 December 2026**, while the **240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free** option has also been expanded to 65 ports across 24 provinces [1][2]. According to Trip.com, the Chinese Embassy in the UK officially announced this new visa-free arrangement on **15 February 2026**, allowing UK citizens to explore cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou without applying for a traditional visa [1]. The policy is valid from **00:00 on 17 February to 24:00 on 31 December 2026** (Beijing time) [1]. Additionally, China has fully relaxed its transit visa-free policy, extending the permitted stay from 72/144 hours to **240 hours (10 days)** and adding **21 new entry ports** for eligible travellers from 54 countries, including the UK [1]. Global Times reports that last year, **73%** of foreign nationals entering China did so visa-free, reflecting the significant impact of these relaxed measures [2]. For travellers who do not qualify for visa-free entry, a valid passport (with at least **6 months** validity from entry) is required for visa applications [1]. The 240-hour transit visa-free policy applies to 19 provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Sichuan, allowing visitors to stay in designated areas when transiting to a third country via any of **60 open ports** [1]. Note that certain passports, such as Indian, are not eligible for temporary entry permits to exit airport restricted zones under the 24-hour transit option [3]. All current visa-free policies in China have been confirmed to remain in effect until the end of 2026 [4].

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