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China: visa and passport requirements

Passport required Return ticket required Visa required
Australian Yes Yes Yes/2
British Yes Yes Yes/1/2
Canadian Yes Yes Yes/2
Other EU Yes Yes Yes/2
USA Yes Yes Yes/2
Passports: 

To enter China, a passport is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passports must be valid for at least one month from your fixed departure date from Hong Kong for a single entry, 12 months for a double entry or six month multiple entry, and 18 months for a 12 month multiple-entry visa.

Passport and visa note: 

Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travellers need an Alien's Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Applicants will also need to show their Chinese Visa.

Visas: 

Visas are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above to enter China, except:

(a) nationals of the UK (1) travelling to Hong Kong only for stays of up to 180 days;

(b) all nationals referred to in the chart above (2) travelling only to Macao for stays of up to 90 days (except nationals of the USA for stays up to 30 days; and nationals of the UK for stays up to six months);

(c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting plane to another country within 24 hours, who also hold valid onward documentation and do not leave the airport;

(d) some passengers (not including nationals of the USA or UK) who transit through Pudong or Hongqiao airports only, and carry all necessary documentation, within 48 hours.

Visa note: 

(a) Journalists need to apply for accreditation from the press department of the Chinese embassy before applying for a visa.

(b) Business travellers are required to provide an official invitation from the company or institution in China when applying for a visa.

(c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Types and cost: 

The following prices apply for UK applicants:

Tourist/Business/Transit UK nationals: £30 (single-entry); £45 (double-entry); £90 (multiple-entry; six months and proof of travel ticket required); £150 (multiple-entry; 12 months and 24). Group (at least five people): £24 per person. The express service costs £30

US nationals: £70 per person regardless of the visa applied for.

Validity: 

Single-entry visas are normally valid for three months, double-entry for six months, and multiple-entry either six, 12 or 24 months. A transit visa generally allows you to stay in the country for seven days, but it is valid for either three or six months depending on the number of entries (single/double).

Application to: 

The Chinese embassy in London and the consulate in Manchester no longer accept applications. Applicants from anywhere in the UK except Scotland need to apply through the visa centre. Applicants who live in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Derbyshire, Tyne and Wear, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Durham may apply at the centre in Manchester, everyone else at the centre in London. Applications are also accepted by post at the London centre from anywhere within the UK.

Working days: 

Visa applications for China should be made one month in advance.

The express service (£15 fee) requires three days, and the regular service (£32.25 fee) takes four days. Postal applications (£52.88 fee) will be processed and returned within 5-14 working days, if all the documentation is in good order.

It takes two weeks to process group visas.

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