An announcement that UK passport holders will soon be able to travel to China without a visa has been welcomed by business travel leaders.
A start date has not yet been confirmed for the change, which will allow visa-free access to China for up to 30 days.
Clive Wratten, CEO, Business Travel Association, said: “China is, and will continue to be, a hugely important destination for UK business. Removing the visa requirement reduces costs and makes it far easier for UK companies to send people out at short notice.
“Travel management companies play a vital role in helping organisations navigate entry requirements and travel rules, and changes like this make international travel for work simpler and more efficient overall. This change supports stronger commercial ties and reflects the reality that China remains a key market for many UK businesses.”
Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “Travel between the UK and China has seen a robust resurgence over the last two years, fuelled by restored flight connectivity and strengthening commercial ties.
“This announcement is a significant milestone that will undoubtedly accelerate this momentum across both leisure and business travel.”
Julie Cope, Chief Operating Officer, Take2Eton Group, said: “Removing this administrative barrier makes travel easier and more efficient and allows our clients to respond more quickly to opportunities and ultimately it will support their business growth and success in the region.”
The arrangement will bring the UK into line with around 50 other countries that already benefit from visa-free access, including France and Germany.
Fred Fishlock, UK Country Head at Trip.com, said removing the need to apply for a visa makes planning a trip “simpler, faster and more affordable, especially for first-time visitors, and gives people greater confidence to book”.
“Visa-free travel has consistently proven to be one of the strongest catalysts for demand, particularly for long-haul routes and first-time travellers,” he added.
“We saw this clearly after China’s late-2023 visa-free policy announcement for several European countries.”
Fishlock said Trip.com Group data shows interest in China rose 74% in the five weeks following the announcement across Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, and was 88% higher over the following 12 months.
Announcing the deal, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “As one of the world’s economic powerhouses, businesses have been crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China.
“We’ll make it easier for them to do so, including via relaxed visa rules for short-term travel, supporting them to expand abroad, all while boosting growth and jobs at home.”
