Country Information

Foreign nationals must carry their passports at all times as police carry out random spot checks; these are more frequent around times of heightened security such as sporting events. Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travellers need an Tibet Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Applicants also need to show their Chinese visa.

To enter China, a passport with at least six months' validity is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. To enter Hong Kong, a passport valid for the duration of stay is required by nationals in the chart above.

Visas are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above to enter China, except: • All nationals above when visiting Hong Kong or Macau only, in which case visas are not required for varying lengths of stay. • All nationals above when visiting the Pearl River Delta for up to six days as part of an organised tour group from Hong Kong or Macau. • Nationals of Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA visiting Hainan Province only as part of an approved, organised tourist group for stays of up to 15 days (21 days for German nationals).

When making the visa application you will need to submit a detailed itinerary of all places you plan to visit and all hotel bookings (including addresses and phone numbers and dates of arrival and departure). Business travellers are required to provide an official invitation from the company or institution in China when applying for a visa. Visitors must register with the Chinese Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

A transit visa is not required if staying in the confines of the airport for more than 24 hours. If leaving the airport, a transit visa is required for some nationalities. However, nationals of some countries, including all those listed in the chart above, are exempt for up to 72 hours and are free to visit the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. In this case, it is possible to apply for a transit without visa at Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Pudong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Shuangliu Airport.

Single-entry: £30 (UK nationals), £90 (US nationals), £20 (other nationals). Double-entry: £45 (UK nationals), £90 (US nationals), £30 (other nationals). Multiple-entry within six months: £90 (UK nationals), £90 (US nationals), £40 (other nationals). Multiple-entry within 12 months or more: £180 (UK nationals), £90 (US nationals), £60 (other nationals). You must also pay a service fee of £36 (standard), £48 (express) or £54 (postal applications).

Single-entry visas are normally valid for three months, double-entry for six months, and multiple-entry either six, 12 or 24 months.

Consulate (or consular section at embassy). Many consulates (including those in the UK) issue visas through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (www.visaforchina.org) rather than directly through the consulate.

Visa applications for China should be made one month in advance. The express service requires three days, and the regular service takes four days. Postal applications are usually processed and returned within 10 working days, if all the documentation is in good order.