The United Kingdom Home Office used its 22 January 2026 immigration bulletin to confirm two changes with direct implications for Chinese talent and visitors. First, from 8 January all first-time applicants under the Skilled Worker, High-Potential Individual and Scale-up routes must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B2, one notch higher than the previous B1 threshold. Second, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will become obligatory for all visa-exempt nationals from 25 February 2026, completing the phased roll-out that began last year with Gulf states.
Although Chinese passport holders already need visas for most UK categories, the higher language test could affect PRC nationals applying from third countries (e.g., Hong Kong SAR) or switching visa categories within the UK. HR teams should verify that candidates schedule a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that explicitly meets the B2 standard, as older B1 certificates will be rejected even if still within their two-year validity window.
For Chinese executives who hold second passports from visa-free countries—such as Singapore—or for Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region passport holders, the ETA requirement introduces a new administrative layer. Travellers must complete an online application, pay the £10 fee and receive digital clearance linked to their passport before boarding flights, ferries or Eurostar trains. The authorisation lasts two years or until passport expiry and is expected to process “within 48 hours”, though airlines may refuse boarding without a valid ETA.
![UK Raises English-Language Bar and Confirms February Launch of Mandatory ETA—Chinese Applicants Must Prepare]()
VisaHQ’s China desk can streamline these new UK entry requirements by assisting with visa filings, arranging Secure English Language Test bookings and handling ETA applications through a single online portal. Travellers can review current documentation needs and begin the process at https://www.visahq.com/china/, ensuring compliance is locked in well before departure.
Travel-management companies recommend incorporating ETA confirmation into pre-trip checklists and flagging the stricter English requirement in offer letters and assignment planning. Firms sponsoring Chinese talent should also budget additional training time and, if necessary, retesting fees to achieve B2 scores—particularly in roles where language proficiency was previously deemed secondary.
Looking ahead, the Home Office signalled that Graduate-Route immigration rules will be reviewed later in 2026, raising the prospect of further compliance hurdles. Companies with significant UK–China mobility flows are advised to monitor consultations and align talent pipelines accordingly.
Although Chinese passport holders already need visas for most UK categories, the higher language test could affect PRC nationals applying from third countries (e.g., Hong Kong SAR) or switching visa categories within the UK. HR teams should verify that candidates schedule a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that explicitly meets the B2 standard, as older B1 certificates will be rejected even if still within their two-year validity window.
For Chinese executives who hold second passports from visa-free countries—such as Singapore—or for Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region passport holders, the ETA requirement introduces a new administrative layer. Travellers must complete an online application, pay the £10 fee and receive digital clearance linked to their passport before boarding flights, ferries or Eurostar trains. The authorisation lasts two years or until passport expiry and is expected to process “within 48 hours”, though airlines may refuse boarding without a valid ETA.
VisaHQ’s China desk can streamline these new UK entry requirements by assisting with visa filings, arranging Secure English Language Test bookings and handling ETA applications through a single online portal. Travellers can review current documentation needs and begin the process at https://www.visahq.com/china/, ensuring compliance is locked in well before departure.
Travel-management companies recommend incorporating ETA confirmation into pre-trip checklists and flagging the stricter English requirement in offer letters and assignment planning. Firms sponsoring Chinese talent should also budget additional training time and, if necessary, retesting fees to achieve B2 scores—particularly in roles where language proficiency was previously deemed secondary.
Looking ahead, the Home Office signalled that Graduate-Route immigration rules will be reviewed later in 2026, raising the prospect of further compliance hurdles. Companies with significant UK–China mobility flows are advised to monitor consultations and align talent pipelines accordingly.
