China's New Entry and Exit Rules from 15 September 2026: What UK Business Travellers Need to Know
China's new entry and exit administration regulations take effect on 15 September 2026. Here is what UK business travellers and China sourcing teams need to know before their next trip.
China is introducing new exit and entry administration regulations on 15 September 2026. For British companies planning sourcing trips, supplier meetings or factory visits, the important point is that the regulations strengthen verification and enforcement — but they do not currently remove the 30-day visa-free arrangement for eligible British citizens.
British citizens holding an ordinary passport can still visit China without obtaining a visa in advance for up to 30 days for permitted purposes including business, tourism, exchange, visiting family or friends, and transit. The current arrangement for British citizens is scheduled to remain in force until 31 December 2026.
However, from 15 September, travellers should expect greater emphasis on accurate information, a clearly stated purpose of travel and supporting documents that match that purpose.
For practical tips on making the most of a China business trip, see our earlier guide to practical tips for travelling to China visa-free.
What is changing on 15 September 2026?
China's State Council announced the new Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration on 31 July 2026. The regulations are intended to standardise exit and entry administration, protect travellers' lawful rights and strengthen national security controls.
For foreign visitors, the main practical changes concern verification and enforcement. Immigration authorities will have clearer powers to examine an applicant's identity, purpose of travel and supporting information. They may request further documents or electronic information where necessary.
The regulations also introduce stronger consequences for false documents, false statements or a misleading explanation of the purpose of a visit. Depending on the circumstances, a foreign national could be refused a visa or entry and may face an entry ban of between one and five years.
Organisations and individuals issuing invitation letters or other supporting documents also have increased responsibility for ensuring the information is genuine and accurate.
For a genuine British business visitor with a straightforward itinerary, this should not make travelling to China difficult. It does make accuracy and consistency more important.
Do British business visitors still qualify for visa-free entry?
Yes. At the time of writing, eligible British citizens holding an ordinary passport can still enter China visa-free for no more than 30 days when travelling for business, tourism, exchange, family or friend visits, or transit.
The Chinese Embassy in the UK states that eligible travellers do not need to make an advance declaration to a Chinese embassy or consulate before using the visa waiver.
The visa-free arrangement does not cover paid employment, long-term assignments, journalism, long-term study or other activities that require a specific visa or permit. Anyone planning to stay longer than 30 days should obtain the appropriate visa before travelling.
The 30-day period is calculated from the day after arrival in China.
What documents should UK business travellers carry?
Although eligible British business visitors do not normally need to apply for a visa in advance, border officers can examine whether the intended visit falls within the permitted visa-free purposes.
The Chinese Embassy recommends carrying documents that support the stated purpose of the trip. For a sourcing or factory visit, it is sensible to have:
- a passport meeting the current validity requirements;
- confirmed return or onward travel details;
- hotel or other accommodation bookings;
- an invitation letter or written confirmation from a Chinese supplier or business contact;
- a simple itinerary listing the factories, suppliers, exhibitions or meetings being visited;
- the names, telephone numbers and addresses of the relevant Chinese contacts; and
- important addresses written in both English and Chinese.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises travellers to have at least six months remaining on their passport from the date of arrival and two blank pages.
The details do not need to be complicated. They do need to be truthful and consistent with the reason given for entering China.
Factory visits are business travel — not employment
British buyers can use the visa-free arrangement for legitimate business activities such as meeting suppliers, inspecting potential factories, attending exhibitions and discussing manufacturing projects.
That is different from taking paid employment or working in an operational role inside China. Travellers should describe the purpose of the visit accurately and avoid language or activities that could make an ordinary business visit appear to be employment.
If the trip involves a long-term assignment, installation work, technical work at a customer's premises, employment by a Chinese organisation or a stay exceeding 30 days, obtain advice about the correct visa and work authorisation before travelling.
Registering your accommodation remains important
Foreign visitors must register their place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival.
Hotels normally complete this registration when a foreign guest checks in. If staying in a private home, apartment or other non-hotel accommodation, the visitor or host should ensure the registration is completed with the local authorities.
This is not a new September requirement, but it remains an important part of immigration compliance and is easy to overlook.
A practical checklist before a China sourcing trip
Before travelling to China after 15 September 2026:
- Check the latest official UK and Chinese entry guidance.
- Confirm that the trip qualifies for visa-free business entry and will not exceed 30 days.
- Check passport validity and available blank pages.
- Keep flight, hotel, invitation and factory-visit details together and available offline.
- Make sure the names of suppliers, addresses and visit dates are accurate.
- Keep key addresses in Chinese as well as English.
- Do not describe paid work or a long-term assignment as a short business visit.
- Ensure accommodation registration is completed after arrival.
Planning factory visits with local support
Getting into China is only one part of a productive sourcing trip. China's manufacturing regions are extensive, and travelling between factories can consume far more time than expected.
Sauce Asia has worked in China sourcing and manufacturing for more than 25 years, with a team on the ground in China and support in the UK. We can help British companies identify appropriate suppliers, organise factory visits geographically, verify who is actually manufacturing the product, conduct factory audits and quality inspections, manage production and arrange shipping through to delivery in the UK.
If your sourcing trip includes metal parts sourcing from China, our team can identify and audit the right manufacturers before you arrive, so your time on the ground is spent on the right factories.
Having accurate factory details, a realistic itinerary and local contacts also makes it easier to explain the genuine business purpose of a visit if asked at the border.
Frequently asked questions
Do British citizens need a visa for China after 15 September 2026?
Eligible British citizens holding an ordinary passport can currently continue to visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for permitted purposes including business. The arrangement is currently scheduled to run until 31 December 2026.
Do the new September regulations introduce an online travel authorisation?
No new advance visa or travel-authorisation application has been announced for eligible British citizens using the 30-day visa waiver. The Chinese Embassy states that eligible travellers do not need to make an advance declaration to an embassy or consulate. Travellers should still check the latest official guidance before departure.
Can I visit Chinese factories using visa-free entry?
Yes, genuine short business visits can include supplier meetings, factory visits, inspections and exhibitions. Visa-free entry does not permit paid employment or a long-term work assignment.
Is an invitation letter compulsory for visa-free entry?
The Chinese Embassy recommends carrying an invitation letter, air tickets and accommodation reservations as evidence of the purpose of entry. Border inspection authorities make the final decision on admission.
What happens if information given to Chinese immigration is inaccurate?
The new regulations strengthen the consequences for false documents and statements. A traveller may be refused entry and, in serious cases, could receive an entry ban of between one and five years.
Does the same policy apply to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has separate immigration rules from mainland China. Check the relevant requirements when an itinerary includes both locations.
Visiting China to source or manufacture products?
Sauce Asia helps UK companies find and manage Chinese manufacturers, arrange factory visits, conduct audits and quality inspections, manage production, consolidate orders and organise freight, customs clearance and delivery into the client's UK warehouse.
If you are planning a China sourcing trip, contact Sauce Asia before travelling so our UK and China teams can help you use your time on the ground effectively.
This article provides general information rather than immigration or legal advice. Rules and official guidance were checked on 25 August 2026 and can change. Travellers should verify the latest requirements with the Chinese Embassy and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before departure.
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