Informing all members all the required information for visas including visitors' visas settlement visas conditions and fees to the United Kingdom will be published on this page and updated when the United Kingdom government publishes the information
Click here for information on applying for a Chinese Visa / Visiting relatives.
Crystal Caves in Guilin
Chinese Visa Application Service Centre
To help the applicants adjust to the new practice, the Chinese embassy will initially continue accepting visa applications submitted by ordinary passport holders on an online-appointment basis after the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) opens. It means ordinary passport holders have to make online appointment before submitting visa applications to the Chinese Embassy. The visa categories include L(Tourism), F(Business), X(Studying), Z(Employment), G(Transit), C(Crew), J(Journalism) and D(Residence).
Holders of Diplomatic, Service (Official) passport, or applicants qualified for the Chinese Diplomatic, Service, courtesy visa and visa-exempt certificate, or applicants applying for the Hong Kong visa/entry permit can submit their applications directly to the Chinese Embassy without making online appointment.
Please read carefully the following Online Appointment Procedure if you, as an ordinary passport holder, still wish to directly submit your visa application to the Chinese Embassy after the CVASC opens.
The online appointment software will be installed to the website of the Chinese Embassy before the CVASC opens.
Please make sure all information you enter into the booking system is accurate. The embassy staff will check it against documents provided at the time of submission.
Further information
Visit the China Visa Application Service Center
11th November 2008
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Natural Disasters (Earthquakes) section (earthquake in Northern Qinghai region,), Entry Requirements (Passport Validity) section and Contact Details section and the removal of Air Safety section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
- We advise against all but essential travel to the earthquake disaster zone in Sichuan Province. This includes areas in and around Beichuan, Dujiangyan, Mianyang and Wenchuan. The provincial capital of Chengdu and large parts of eastern Sichuan Province are now operating normally. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for more details.
- There are reports that an earthquake, measuring approximately 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Northern Qinghai region, centred on Da Qaidam, at 09.22 on 10 November 2008. The area is remote and sparsely populated. Details are sketchy but, as yet, there are no reports of damage or injuries.
- Since early August 2008, there have been four violent attacks in different parts of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region (north west China), resulting in the deaths of a number of Police Officers, security guards and assailants. In late July there were reported bomb blasts in Kunming city (southwest China) resulting in injuries to civilians. There are no reports of British nationals being involved.
- In late June 2008 Tibet reopened to foreign tourists. This followed a period of closure in the aftermath of violent protests in Lhasa, Tibet and widespread unrest in some Tibetan areas of neighbouring provinces in March 2008. See the General (Tibet) section of the advice for more details.
- There have been a number of cases of contamination of dairy products, including formula milk, liquid milk, ice cream and yoghurt, from both Chinese and international brands made locally. This has resulted in the death of four infants and the hospitalisation of more than 12,000 children. Where possible, until further notice, we recommend buying imported dairy products. Further information can be found at: http://www.who.int.
- Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in China have led to a small number of human fatalities. The last fatality was in 2008. See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and the Avian and Pandemic Influenza for more details.
- Visas have to be obtained before travelling to China as the facility to obtain a visa on arrival at Hainan Island has been withdrawn. You should carefully check your visa validity as fines can be levied for overstaying and you are also required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. See the Entry Requirements section of this advice for more details.
- There is an underlying threat from terrorism in China. This reflects both the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and the possibility of terrorist acts by groups opposed to the Chinese Government. They could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- The tropical cyclone season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting the south eastern coastal regions of China. In May and June 2008 parts of southern China, including Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces, and Shanghai and Chongqing districts were affected by localised flooding. You should continue to monitor local weather reports. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
- In 2007, 605,094 British nationals visited China (Source: National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China). Most visits to China are trouble free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in China in 2007 was for replacing lost and stolen passports. You are required to carry your passport at all times as the Police regularly carry out random checks, but you should take precautions against pickpocketing and other street crime.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
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Important! China visa rules updates
With the Beijing Olympics approaching, China is making changes to its visa rules, especially for tourist and business visas (L and F visas, respectively). Important changes have been made regarding multiple-entry visas, L visa documentation requirements and visa fees. We know how confusing it can be to keep track of all the recent changes, especially with conflicting reports and rumours flying around the Internet. But never fear China travel experts at ChinaTravel.net have researched all the ins & outs and created a comprehensive China visa rules summary to save you time and trouble. And check the ChinaTravel.net Passport & Visa forum for regular updates if you're applying for a visa soon.
Visa fees to increase from 1 April 2008
Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers are publishing the response to a public consultation on a new system of charging those who come to the UK to visit, study, live or work.
To view the article in full, visit the page below:
Click here to view the article
Kind regards,
UKvisas Webmaster
Guidance - Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4)
The Husbands, wives and partners guidance note has been reviewed and updated, and is now available on the UKvisas website.
The recent updates include information about visa application centres, biometric scans and requirements for knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom.
To view the article in full, visit the page below:
Click here to view the article
Kind regards,
UKvisas Webmaster
Guidance - Appeals (INF 19) (03/09/07)
Application Forms and Guidance Notes
All visa application forms have been updated to include a Data Protection Statement and, on relevant application forms, a biometrics consent paragraph.
Updated 08 May 2008
To view the article in full, visit the page below:
Click here to view the article
Kind regards,
UKvisas Webmaster
23rd September 2008
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and the Natural Disasters (Typhoon Hagupit). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
- There is no formal British Consulate in Macao. If you require assistance when you are in Macao you should contact the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong. See the Contact Details section of this advice for more details.
- Although Macao has separate immigration controls from Mainland China and separate legal and law enforcement systems, it could still be vulnerable to both terrorism directed at China, and the global threat from terrorism. Particularly in the run up to, and during the Olympic Games, attacks cannot be ruled out. They could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- 78,523 British tourists have visited Macao in 2007 (Source: the Macao Tourism Board). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in 2007 was for replacing lost and stolen passports. You should take sensible precautions against pickpocketing and other street crime.
- The typhoon season in Macao normally runs from April to October. Typhoon Hagupit is expected to make landfall in southern China at around 00:00 (UK Time) on 24 September. Torrential rain and strong winds are possible in Macao. We advise that you monitor local weather reports. See the Natural Disassters section of this advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Please click on the link to view the article: here
Kind regards,
FCO Webmaster
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)
21st August 2008
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and the Crime section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
- Although Hong Kong has separate immigration controls from Mainland China and separate legal and law enforcement systems, it could still be vulnerable to both terrorism directed at China, and the global threat from terrorism. Particularly in the run up to, and during the Olympic Games, attacks cannot be ruled out. They could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- Oasis budget airline has gone into liquidation and, since 09 April, all Oasis flights have been cancelled. Passengers with existing bookings with Oasis Airlines should contact the Oasis hotline on (85) 3628 0628; lines are open from 08:00 to 20:00 local time (BST +7) or in the UK 0844 482 2323. For urgent travel passengers should attempt to book flights with alternative airlines and seek a refund of their Oasis tickets, or reimbursement from their travel insurance policy.
- In 2007, 628, 323 British tourists visited Hong Kong (Source: The Hong Kong Tourism Board). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Hong Kong in 2007 was for replacing lost and stolen passports and petty crimes. You should take sensible precautions against pickpocketing and other street crime.
- In both 2006 and 2007 the Hong Kong press reported instances of spiked drinks, targeting both males and females. Whilst there have been no recent reports of this practice, you should ensure that anything you drink cannot be tampered with. You should also be wary of accepting drinks from strangers. See the Crime Section of this advice for more details.
- The typhoon season in Hong Kong normally runs from April to October. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones page for more details.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Click here to view the article
Kind regards,
FCO Webmaster
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
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