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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do China citizens need a visa for United Kingdom?

Visa required

China citizens need a visa to enter United Kingdom. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
China → United Kingdom
Embassyapply

Everything for your trip to United Kingdom

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China vs United Kingdom: passport comparison

China

43

visa-free countries

Global rank: #112 · mobility 97.5

United Kingdom

118

visa-free countries

Global rank: #31 · mobility 167.6
37

countries both China and United Kingdom can enter visa-free together

China + United Kingdom: passport compatibility

51%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where China and United Kingdom travel together — by entry type:

37 both visa-free
31 both visa on arrival
18 both e-visa / eTA
15 both need a visa
96 access differs

Where China and United Kingdom can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Only China is visa-free (6)

UK visa refusals for China citizens

The Home Office publishes the outcome of every visa application — issued and refused — broken down by nationality. These are visitor visas: tourism, family visits and business trips.

8.7%
of visitor-visa applications from China citizens were refused in 2025
-19.0 pp below the all-country median (27.7%) — refused less often
+1.1 pp year-over-year: 2024 was 7.5%, now 8.7%
517,288decisions in the year
44,778of them refusals
#107strictest of 119 countries
89countries saw UK refusals rise year-over-year

Home Office data for 2025, visitor visas (applications made from outside the UK). Only countries with at least 200 decisions in the year are ranked — below that the percentage swings on small numbers. The median, rank and year-over-year change are our own calculations on top of the official figures. Source: UK Home Office  ·  All countries →

How the entry rule changed: China → United Kingdom

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The China → United Kingdom rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

0passports gained easier entry to United Kingdom
1passports saw United Kingdom tighten its rules
4rule changes for the China passport, 3 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

United Kingdom: good to know

London

Capital

British Pound (GBP)

Currency

Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0)

Time zone

+44

Calling code

G

Power plug

230V / 50Hz

Voltage

Left-hand

Driving side

Where else China goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for United Kingdom

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do China citizens need a visa for United Kingdom?
China citizens need a visa to enter United Kingdom. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — China or United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom passport is stronger: 118 visa-free countries versus 43. Global rank: China #112, United Kingdom #31.
Where can China and United Kingdom citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 37 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for United Kingdom?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between China and United Kingdom?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

China passport ranking

Where else the China passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport