BEIJING — China has agreed to allow British citizens visa-free travel for stays of up to 30 days, as announced by the UK government on Thursday, January 29, 2026. The measure, part of a broader package of agreements reached during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing, aims to facilitate business, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges while advancing cooperation on issues including transnational crime and irregular migration.
The announcement came after an extended meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Starmer at the Great Hall of the People. Downing Street confirmed the visa relaxation in an official statement, noting: "Today’s agreements will also see China relax visa rules for British citizens - ending the requirement for travel under 30 days. It will mean people visiting China on business - as well as tourism - will be able to visit China visa-free."
This brings the UK into alignment with nearly 50 other countries—including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, and most recently Sweden—that already enjoy unilateral 30-day visa-free access to China. The policy, extended and expanded in recent years, has contributed to China welcoming over 82 million foreign arrivals in 2025, with more than 70% benefiting from visa-free entry, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Starmer hailed the development as a practical win for British businesses and citizens, stating that companies had been "crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China." The change supports the UK's goal of expanding its world-leading services sector in the Chinese market, boosting trade, investment, and job creation at home. No immediate start date has been specified, but both sides expressed intent to implement it as soon as possible.
The visa agreement formed part of 10 bilateral pacts signed during the visit, including cooperation on combating transnational crime and illegal immigration—areas highlighted in discussions as shared priorities. Other memoranda covered a new bilateral services partnership, a joint feasibility study for a UK-China trade in services agreement, conformity assessment, UK exports to China, enhanced work of the UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission, domiciliary services, sports industries, food safety, animal and plant quarantine, health cooperation, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Starmer's trip, the first by a British prime minister since Theresa May in 2018, marked a deliberate effort to reset relations after years of strains over issues including Hong Kong, national security concerns, and human rights. Accompanied by around 60 leaders from business, academia, and culture, Starmer emphasized building a "long-term, consistent, and comprehensive strategic partnership" with China.
In their 80-minute talks—followed by a lunch—Xi urged both nations to champion "true multilateralism" and free trade, stressing that major countries must lead by example in upholding international law to prevent a descent into "the law of the jungle." He advocated for a "more just and equitable" global governance system and an "equal and orderly multipolar world" with "universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization."
Xi highlighted opportunities for deeper collaboration in education, healthcare, finance, services, artificial intelligence, bioscience, new energy, and low-carbon technologies. Premier Li Qiang, hosting Starmer separately, echoed the call to leverage complementary strengths for expanded trade, frequent exchanges, and alignment in emerging industries like AI and advanced manufacturing.
Sensitive topics were addressed, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Chinese readout reaffirmed London's unchanged policy: the UK does not recognize Taiwan as a state or maintain diplomatic relations with it. On Hong Kong, both sides agreed its prosperity and stability serve mutual interests, with the UK welcoming the city as a "unique and important bridge" between the nations.
The leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international issues. Starmer gifted Xi a football from a recent Manchester United vs. Arsenal Premier League match—acknowledging Xi's reported support for Manchester United—while describing the eight-year gap since the last prime ministerial visit as "far too long."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the meeting as "successful," noting agreement on a "long-term and consistent, comprehensive strategic partnership" that provides stable expectations for cooperation across sectors.
The visit unfolded against a backdrop of global uncertainties, including US tariff policies under President Donald Trump and Western debates over strategic issues like Arctic resources. Starmer stressed the need for a "more sophisticated" relationship with China, balancing cooperation where possible with candid dialogue on differences.
Business engagements included a UK-China Business Council session, where Starmer and Li met CEOs and chairs of major Chinese firms. Announcements featured investments such as AstraZeneca's $15 billion commitment to China.
The agreements signal a pragmatic thaw in UK-China ties, prioritizing economic and practical cooperation amid a multipolar world. While implementation details for the visa policy await finalization, the move is expected to boost bilateral travel, tourism, and business flows in the months ahead.
