China Travel Guide - Passport/Visa

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 (see Contact Addresses). Applicants will need to show their Chinese Visa also.

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Passport must be valid for at least six months for a single or double entry within three months of the date of visa issue; at least nine months for multiple entries within six months.

(a) China does not recognise dual nationality.
(b) HIV-positive travellers are not permitted to enter the country.

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. nationals of the UK travelling to Hong Kong only for stays of up to 180 days.
(b) 2. all nationals referred to in the chart above 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).  
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting plane to another country within 24 hours who hold valid onward documentation and do not leave the airport.
(b) some passengers (not including nationals of the USA or UK) who transit through Pudong or Hongqiao airports only, with all necessary documentation, within 48 hours.

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

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

Tourist/Business/Transit UK nationals: £30 (single-entry); £45 (double-entry); £60 (multiple-entry; six months); £90 (multiple-entry; 12 months and two to five years). Group (at least five people): £24 per person. US nationals: £65 (single-, double- and multiple-entry). Group (at least five people): £55 per person. Visa charges for other nationals vary; check with embassy for further information.

Tourist, Business and Group visas are normally valid for three months from the date of issue (single- and double-entry). Multiple-entry visas are normally valid for six months, 12 months or two to five years. The validity of Business visas varies. Transit visas are generally valid for up to seven days.

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. Group visas will usually be obtained by the tour operator or travel agent.

Four. Two weeks for Group visas. Applications should be made one month in advance. The express service (£15 fee) requires one day. Same-day service visas, which must be submitted before 11am, are available for a cost of £20. Visas, however, cannot be issued on the same day unless the same-day airline ticket or itinerary is presented.