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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, UK passport holders generally require a visa to enter Mainland China. This applies whether you are travelling for tourism, business visits, family visits, or study purposes etc. The specific type of Chinese visa you need depends on the nature of your trip. Our experts can help you determine the correct visa category for your travel to China from the UK.
The core documents required for a China visa always include:
  • A completed Visa Application Form.
  • Your original passport with sufficient validity.
  • One recent passport-sized photo.
However, supporting documents vary significantly based on your visa type (e.g., Tourist L visa, Business M visa). These can include flight itineraries, hotel bookings, invitation letters, or business documents. We provide a comprehensive, personalised document checklist for your China visa to ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements.
For a standard China visa application in the UK, processing at the Chinese Visa Application Centre typically takes around 5 to 6 working days. For urgent travel plans, our express China visa service offers much faster turnaround times, including next-day visa processing options. Contact us to select the best processing speed for your timeline.
Our express visa service for UK applicants is designed for speed and peace of mind. We manage the entire process for you: from a thorough document check for your China visa to submitting and collecting your application at the Visa Centre. This ensures your materials are accurate and complete, significantly reducing the risk of delays or rejection. It is the fastest and most reliable way to secure your China visa from the UK.
The fingerprint requirement applies to applicants:
  • Aged between 14 and 70 years old, AND
  • Applying for a multiple-entry Chinese visa.
You are generally exempt from fingerprinting if applying for a single-entry or double-entry visa. Exemptions apply if you are under 14 or over 70, or have had fingerprints collected at a Visa Centre within the past 5 years with the same passport. Please consult us to confirm your requirement for fingerprint collection. We also help you book a priority appointment.
Absolutely. Our postal China visa application service covers the entire United Kingdom. If you cannot visit an application centre in person, you can securely send your documents to us via mail or courier.
You only need to attend an appointment in person if biometric data (fingerprints) are required for your application. We streamline this process by assisting you in booking a priority appointment at the Chinese Visa Centre. Check with our team to see if your China visa application requires an in-person appointment.
The key difference lies in the purpose of your visit and whether you receive income from within China:
  • China Business Visa (M): For short-term business activities (meetings, conferences, research); you are not employed or paid by a Chinese company.
  • China Work Visa (Z): For professionals with a formal job and are legally employed and paid by a Chinese entity (needed for work and residence permit).
Choosing the wrong category is a common reason for refusal. Our visa consultants can assess your travel plans and assist you choose the right China visa type to ensure a successful application.
The total cost consists of the mandatory consular fee and our service fee. Final price depends on chosen visa processing time (standard vs. express) and visa type. We believe in transparent pricing. View our detailed China visa fees and price list for UK applicants for a complete breakdown with no hidden costs.
We understand a refusal is concerning. If your accurately prepared application is not approved, our money-back guarantee covers both our service fee and the consular fee for your peace of mind.
Understanding these terms is key to a compliant trip:
  • Validity ("Enter Before" Date): Time frame you can enter China.
  • Number of Entries: Times you’re permitted to enter during the validity.
  • Duration of Stay: Max number of days per visit, counted from arrival.
Please note:
Your visa becomes invalid once all entries are used or the validity period expires, whichever comes first. For further travel, you must apply for a new Chinese visa. Final entry into China is always determined by the Chinese Border Control Authorities.
Yes, as a UK citizen you can enter Hong Kong and Macau visa-free for up to 6 months for tourism or unpaid business visits. However, entering mainland China from Hong Kong or Macau still requires a valid Chinese visa.
A passport is a travel document that irrefutably proves your nationality. Each country issues passports for its nationals. UK passports are issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. You submit the application at the citizen's office of your municipality. If you find shortly before departure that your passport is not valid for long enough, you can get a temporary passport issued at the citizen's office. This is issued within 24 hours and is accepted by most countries.
UK nationals usually need a passport to leave UK and enter UK and other countries around the world. Exceptions are trips within EU countries, Schengen Agreement member states, and a few other countries that also accept the UK identity card. Travelers are responsible for correctly identifying themselves on international trips. When applying for a visa, it is always affixed or stamped into your passport.
Yes. Since 2007, no further family members have been entered in passports in UK. Each traveling person needs their own passport, including children and toddlers. Up to the age of 12, a child passport can be applied for. However, it has been common in UK for some time to issue regular passports for toddlers.
UK passports are valid for ten years from the date of issue – for people under 24 years old at the time of application, the validity is six years. A temporary passport is valid for one year. The validity date is entered on the first page of the passport.
For most countries, your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of the trip. If your passport expires earlier, you must have it renewed. For China, it is sufficient if the passport is still valid for six months at the time of the visa application. However, once your passport expires, you must leave the country in any case.
Visas and entry and exit stamps are affixed or stamped into the passport. Therefore, a passport must have enough blank pages. At least one blank page in your passport is required for each visa. The exact number required for your destination can be found in the visa information. A visa page must not only be blank but also clean and free of ink or other stains. Stamps and visas are usually only entered on the numbered pages 3-31 of the UK passport.
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