The U.K. will offer a new streamlined visa service to all Chinese visitors, and to improve visa rule for tourists and businesses. A more efficient system cutting down on paperwork and red tape will make it much easier for Chinese people to visit the UK and Europe on the same trip. 

And to add to this, U.K. offer to Chinese visitors of a new 24 hour visa service will be launched in August.

From the autumn, Chinese visitors will be able to use an Irish visitor visa to travel to the U.K., without the need for a separate U.K. visa, and vice versa.

Talks are also ongoing with European partners about further streamlining visa processes with Schengen arrangements to make trips to the U.K. even easier for Chinese visitors.

“The number of Chinese people coming to Britain to visit and do business is soaring,” said U.K. Home Secretary Theresa May. “They already enjoy a first-rate visa service and these changes will ensure it is easier than ever before to visit the UK and see first-hand everything this great country has to offer.”