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China Visa

British nationals need a visa to visit China. Visas are unavailable on arrival and so students (and travelling teachers/leaders) must obtain their visas in advance.

The visa process for China changed recently, all travelling students (and teachers/leaders) entering china on a ‘Type L’ (Tourism) visa will be required to visit one of the Chinese visa centres in the UK to provide biometric data (fingerprints). This will be arranged through your school.

The visa required is a single entry tourist visa (type L). It’s valid for 3 months, therefore do not attempt to arrange a visa until you are within 3 months of the return flight date.

To start the process, please visit: The Chinese Embassy visa website

Read on to find out more about the process.

How to Apply

Once you’ve selected the United Kingdom, there are 3 options to choose: London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Please do not use the Manchester option, this centre is unable to process applications of this nature.

Required:

Original passport with at least 6 months’ validity
One recent passport-size photograph
Duly filled in and signed visa application and declaration forms. This can be completed through the website then printed, signed and handed in
Proof of legal status (applicable for those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
Supporting documents – proof of accommodation booking, air ticket booking record etc. These will be sent within 3 months of your departure date

Fees and duration:

Regular applications £151, 4 working days
Express applications £182, 3 working days
Postal service £175, 5-10 working days

Edinburgh Centre

2nd Floor, Exchange Tower, 19 Canning Street, City of Edinburgh, EH3 8EG, UK. 0131 2292519.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday. Application Submission: 9am - 3pm. Payment and Passport Collection: 9 am - 4 pm.

London Centre

12 Old Jewry, London, EC2R 8DU, UK. 020 7776 7888.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday. Application Submission: 9am - 3pm (express submission 9am – 12pm)Payment and Passport Collection: 9 am - 4 pm.

Further information

Detailed information, as well as the required forms can be found on the Visa for Chinese Embassy visa website: http://www.visaforchina.org/