Overview
- The waiver will cover leisure and short-term business trips, removing the need for a pre-arranged sticker visa for stays under 30 days.
- No start date has been published, and industry figures say the change could take effect within days but only once China formally confirms it.
- Until the policy is in force, UK Foreign Office guidance still states that British citizens need a visa to visit mainland China.
- Current limited options remain in place, including certain Hainan entries and transit without visa for up to 10 days depending on itinerary.
- Standard visas from the UK involve notable fees and paperwork, and travel groups expect visa-free entry to lift demand for UK–China trips.