Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a deal with China granting visa-free travel to UK citizens for visits of up to 30 days. The agreement, reached during his visit to Beijing, applies to both business and tourist travel, aligning UK rules with those of 50 other countries including France and Germany.
Downing Street confirmed the policy but did not provide a start date. Currently, British passport-holders require a visa to enter mainland China. Beijing has committed to unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens, with implementation details to follow.
Starmer described the move as a response to business demand, stating: 'As one of the world’s economic powerhouses, businesses have been crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China.' He said the relaxed visa rules would support UK companies expanding abroad while boosting growth and jobs at home.
The visit marked the first by a British prime minister to China in eight years, a period Starmer called an 'ice age' in bilateral relations. He reported that talks with President Xi Jinping left the relationship in a stronger place. However, the prospect of a reciprocal visit by Xi drew immediate criticism from some UK voices.
