DESTINATION ENTRY GUIDE
UK entry requirements for Chinese passport holders
PRC ordinary passport holders generally need a Standard Visitor visa before travel to the UK; check current rules for your passport and trip purpose.
This page covers ordinary passports issued by the PRC for short visits. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Macao Special Administrative Region of China and Taiwan Region of China documents have separate rules.
Official sources checked 2026-10-18.
Apply before travelling
China is listed in the UK Immigration Rules' visitor visa-national list. Holders of an ordinary PRC passport generally need entry clearance before travelling as a visitor, usually a Standard Visitor visa for tourism or a permitted short visit. The visa normally allows a stay of up to six months, but the individual grant and border conditions control.
Check the right visitor route
The UK permits different activities under the Standard Visitor route and prohibits others, including ordinary paid work for a UK company. Check that the planned activity is allowed, the passport is valid for the entire stay and the application is made before travel. A visa application is not a guarantee of entry.
Other Chinese-region documents
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and Macao Special Administrative Region of China passports, and some Taiwan Region of China passports, appear under separate exceptions in the UK visa-national rules. This page does not determine their visa or ETA requirements. Check the current UK visa checker for the exact document and itinerary.