China trip on Irish passport joint nationality

Question

I live/born in the UK but also hold an Irish passport in addition to my English passport.

I understand Irish passport holders can get 30 day visa free travel now

Does also being a UK passport holder affect this? I understand I have to disclose this.

I'm looking at flying from UK to Beijing then working my way down through xian, Shanghai, guilian and leaving via Hong Kong probably 16-19 days at moment then fly back to UK. Not sure if I'm flying between locations in china/Hong Kong yet - is this allowed on the Irish passport visa free?

Thanks

Answer

Yes, as an Irish passport holder, you are eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry to China, which is currently granted to Irish nationals for tourism purposes. However, your dual nationality (also holding a UK passport) does require disclosure at Chinese immigration if asked, as Chinese authorities may check both passports if presented. It’s important to use the Irish passport for entry to take advantage of the visa-free policy.

Regarding your planned itinerary — flying into Beijing and traveling internally to Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin, and then departing via Hong Kong — here are some important points:

The 30-day visa-free entry on an Irish passport is valid for multiple internal flights and train travel within mainland China. You can move between cities such as Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, and Guilin without a separate visa, as long as your total stay does not exceed 30 days.
Traveling from mainland China to Hong Kong is considered leaving China, so your visa-free period ends upon entry into Hong Kong. Make sure your onward flight from Hong Kong back to the UK aligns with your planned itinerary.
You must carry your Irish passport at all times, and it’s advisable to have hotel bookings and travel details ready, as immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel or accommodation.

Additional considerations:

Do not use your UK passport for entry if you want to utilize the 30-day visa-free scheme, as UK citizens generally need a visa for China unless eligible for other specific transit schemes.
Even though you hold a UK passport, Chinese authorities will recognize your Irish nationality if that passport is presented for entry.
If your travel extends beyond 30 days, or if you plan to work, study, or participate in other non-tourist activities, you would need to apply for the appropriate visa.

In summary, your Irish passport allows full visa-free travel for up to 30 days within mainland China, including multiple internal city movements. Simply make sure to enter on the Irish passport and keep your documentation handy.

China trip on Irish passport joint nationality

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