China confirmed a new visa-free policy for British citizens on February 15, 2026, enabling ordinary passport holders to enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The measure took effect on February 17 and runs through December 31, 2026.

The policy permits visa-free travel for business, tourism, family or friend visits, exchanges, and transit. Each stay is limited to 30 calendar days, calculated from the day after entry. Multiple entries are allowed with no restrictions on the number of visits or total days stayed, provided activities align with permitted purposes.

It does not cover paid work, study, journalism, or stays longer than 30 days, for which a visa is required in advance. Border officials may deny entry if the purposes do not match. Passports must remain valid for the entire stay, with at least six months' validity recommended and blank pages for stamps.

The announcement followed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's January visit to Beijing, where he met President Xi Jinping. The leaders agreed to ease travel rules alongside pledges to boost trade in services, healthcare, green technology, and finance. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated the waiver would "further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries." Starmer remarked that British businesses had been "crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China."

This aligns the UK with 50 other countries enjoying similar 30-day access, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Japan. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its travel advice to reflect the change, urging travelers to confirm eligibility with the Chinese Embassy in London if unsure.

Overstays may require extensions from local public security authorities, but violations could lead to fines or exit bans. Hotels typically handle residence registration, mandatory within 24 hours of arrival. Travelers should prepare for possible health checks, including temperature screenings.

The policy applies to mainland China but not Hong Kong or Macao, which have separate rules. Hainan offers additional visa-free options for direct flights. As of February 27, the waiver has been active for 10 days, potentially boosting short-term travel and business ties amid ongoing economic recovery efforts.