United Kingdom
China
China visa for British citizens
Entry requirement
British citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to China.
- Where to apply
- 6 missions
- Visa guide
- China visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at gb.china-embassy.gov.cn
Which China visa?
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Duration of stay printed on the visa (short-stay visas allow up to 180 days per entry)
- Processing time
- Set by the mission or visa application centre where you apply
China’s official site for the tourist visa is consular.mfa.gov.cn. Processing time, as China states it: Set by the mission or visa application centre where you apply. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Duration of stay printed on the visa (short-stay visas allow up to 180 days per entry).
Chinese missions in the United Kingdom
- Embassy of China in London
Portland Place 49-51, London
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- Consulate General of China in Edinburgh
Corstorphine Road 55, EH12 5QG Edinburgh
- Consulate General of China in Belfast
Malone Road 77, BT9 6SH Belfast
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- Consulate of China in London
Portland Place 31, London
All missions of China in the United Kingdom
China has 6 missions in the United Kingdom, with its embassy in London. Consulates: Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast and London.
In the United Kingdom, visa applications for China are also handled by Consular Office of China in Manchester.
Chinese citizens travelling to the United Kingdom
ChinaUnited Kingdom Visa required United Kingdom visa for citizens of China
Travel advice for China
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
British citizens planning a trip to China can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates China at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 18 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to China (updated 27 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for China (updated 27 October 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long British citizens can stay in China
How long British citizens may stay in China is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How British citizens apply
In the United Kingdom, applications go to the Chinese embassy in London and the consulates in Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast and London, or to a visa centre acting for China; fees, documents and processing times are published by China.
China’s neighbours for British citizens
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam admit British citizens visa-free. Afghanistan, North Korea and Russia require British citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Chinese citizens travelling to the United Kingdom
Chinese citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom, obtained before travel. The rule is the same in both directions between the United Kingdom and China.
Frequently asked questions
Do British citizens need a visa for China?
British citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to China.
Where is the Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom?
The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom is in London; there are also consulates in Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast and London.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Chinese citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom, obtained before travel.
Can British citizens enter China visa-free?
No; British citizens need a visa for China obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.