Access
Visa required
RPassport Atlas
United Kingdom passport to China
United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for China, applied for at an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travel.
Snapshot 2026-10 · This week · Passport-index source
The other way
Visa required
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Key facts
- China lets 81 of 198 passports in without a prior visa — United Kingdom is not one of them.
- United Kingdom passports get “Visa required” at 18 of 198 destinations.
- In the other direction, China passports get “Visa required” in United Kingdom.
Nearby passports travelling to China
Open to United Kingdom passports near China
Before you fly
- Remaining validityOften 6 months’ validity remaining
- Blank visa pagesAbout 2 blank visa pages
- Photo spec33 × 48 mm
Flights, eSIM and insurance are third-party. Visatu does not take payment.
Flight corridor
Direct flights
United KingdomChina- Typical duration
- 10.4 hours
- From
- LHR · LGW
- To
- PEK · PVG · CTU
Airlines British Airways, Air China, Virgin Atlantic Airways, China Southern Airlines
Search live faresDuration is a great-circle estimate between main airports. Direct corridors come from the OpenFlights public snapshot — check the carrier or Google Flights for times and prices.
United Kingdom
Country profile
Capital
London
Population
68.3 million
Area
244,820 km²
Currency
British pound GBP
Languages
English
Time zone
UTC+00:00
Foreign-born
11.8 million · 2024
Migrant share
17.1%
Ethnic groups · 2011
- White87.2%
- other3.7%
- Black/African/Caribbean/black British3%
- Asian/Asian British: Indian2.3%
- mixed2%
- Asian/Asian British: Pakistani1.9%
Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.
China
Country profile
Capital
Beijing
Population
1.41 billion
Area
9,596,960 km²
Currency
Chinese yuan CNY
Languages
Chinese
Time zone
UTC+08:00
Foreign-born
1.6 million · 2024
Migrant share
0.1%
Ethnic groups · 2021
- Han Chinese91.1%
- ethnic minorities8.9%
Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.
Travel notes
Plug
Type C / Type I
Mains
230 V · 50 Hz
Driving
Right
Emergency
Police 110 · Ambulance 120
Dialing code
+86
Airports
PVG · PEK · CAN · XMN
Highlights
- Three Gorges Dam
- Forbidden City
- Potala Palace
- Qinghai Lake
- Mount Tai
- Temple of Heaven
United Kingdom · Visa required
FAQ
Does a United Kingdom passport need a visa for China?
On the 2026-10 matrix the result is “Visa required”. confirm length of stay with the destination. Rules change — check the carrier and mission before you fly.
How long can you stay?
No single stay length is recorded. Check China immigration or a mission.
Passport validity and blank pages?
China typically wants about 6 months’ remaining validity and 2 blank visa pages. Photo spec is often 33 × 48 mm. Confirm with a China mission.
What about a China passport entering United Kingdom?
The reverse result is “Visa required”.
How do you apply for China as a visitor?
L tourist visa / visa-free / transit waiver：Visa-free often 15–30 days; otherwise as issued。If not visa-free, apply for L/M at a Chinese mission. Transit waivers need an eligible passport, onward ticket and listed port.