Per entry, set at the border.
Counted in a calendar year.
The rule for British citizens
Since 17 February 2026, UK ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per entry without a visa, for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, or transit. The days are counted from the day after arrival. Canada, Australia and New Zealand get the same 30 days, and the policy runs until 31 December 2026.
Your days, with an example
Arrive on Sun 1 November 2026 and day 30 is Tue 1 December 2026. China counts the days from the day after you arrive, so your arrival day is extra.
Staying longer
You become tax resident in China after 183 days in a calendar year. You are a Chinese tax resident if you are domiciled in China, or if you spend 183 days or more there in a calendar year. For people without a domicile, only full 24-hour days in China count, so arrival and departure days are excluded. Non-domiciled residents are taxed on foreign income paid from abroad only after six consecutive 183-day years counted from 2019; one trip abroad of more than 30 days in any of those years restarts the count.
Other passports
| Passport | Stay |
|---|---|
 EU, EEA or Swiss passport | 30 days visa-free |
 US passport | Visa required |
 Indian passport | Visa required |
All the details: China rules for every passport.
Questions
Do British citizens need a visa for China?
Not for a short stay. Since 17 February 2026, UK ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per entry without a visa, for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, or transit. The days are counted from the day after arrival. Canada, Australia and New Zealand get the same 30 days, and the policy runs until 31 December 2026.
How long can British citizens stay in China?
30 days visa-free. Since 17 February 2026, UK ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per entry without a visa, for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, or transit. The days are counted from the day after arrival. Canada, Australia and New Zealand get the same 30 days, and the policy runs until 31 December 2026.
When do British citizens become tax resident in China?
You become tax resident in China after 183 days in a calendar year. You are a Chinese tax resident if you are domiciled in China, or if you spend 183 days or more there in a calendar year. For people without a domicile, only full 24-hour days in China count, so arrival and departure days are excluded. Non-domiciled residents are taxed on foreign income paid from abroad only after six consecutive 183-day years counted from 2019; one trip abroad of more than 30 days in any of those years restarts the count.
Can Noverstay count my days in China?
Yes. The app logs the country you’re in each day and reminds you before your China limit. Only the country, city and date are stored.
Official sources
- gb.china-embassy.gov.cn
- vancouver.china-consulate.gov.cn
- us.china-embassy.gov.cn
- en.nia.gov.cn
- english.www.gov.cn
- sr.china-embassy.gov.cn
- chinatax.gov.cn
- fgk.chinatax.gov.cn
- chinatax.gov.cn
- english.shanghai.gov.cn
Rules change often. This page is not legal or tax advice. Check the official source before you travel.