Ambassador: Mr. Liu Xiaoming
Minister: Mr. Chen Xiaodong
Minister Counselor: Mr. Chen Lirong
Address: 49 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, UK
Tel: +44-020-72994049 (General Line)
Website: http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/
Urgent Notice for Chinese Visa Application
From the operation of Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) on June 26, 2008, UK ordinary passport holders are required to go to CVASC to apply for Chinese visa. However, CVASC is a completely independent commercial entity; it is neither the visa office nor one subsidiary body of Embassy of PRC in UK. So the service fee is charged by CVASC according to services provided to applicants. Please refer to the website of CVASC www.visaforchina.org.uk if you want to know the detailed information about procedures of visa application.
For people who apply for Diplomatic/Service/Courtesy Visa, Visa and Documents to Hong Kong/Macao, they still go to the Chinese embassy in UK to apply for. Passport Office (for Chinese passport and travel document)
Address: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, UK
Tel: +44-020-72998426
Fax: +44-020-74369178
Email: visa@chinese-embassy.org.uk Notarization & Authentication Office
Address: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, UK
Tel: +44-20-72998427
Fax: +44-20-74369178
Email: visa@chinese-embassy.org.uk Office of Consular Protection for Chinese in UK
Address: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, UK
Tel: +44-020-72998431, 72998432
Fax: +44-020-76369756
Mobile Phone: +44-0779-5822752 (for emergencies out of office hours)
Email: consular-service@chinese-embassy.org.uk Consular Districts: Except the consular districts of Chinese Consulate in Manchester, Edinburgh, other regions in U.K. are the consular jurisdiction of Chinese Embassy in U.K. Consular Districts of Chinese Consulates in UK
| Consulate General | Consular Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Consulate General of China in Edinburgh | Scotland, Northern Ireland |
| Consulate General of China in Manchester | Greater Manchester, Durham, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear |
Fees for Applying for Chinese Visa The embassy only accepts Cash or Company Check as means of payment. The payee is Chinese Embassy in U.K.
1. Regular Visa Fee per Person
| Visa Types | british Citizens | American Citizens | Citizens of Other Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry Visa with 3-month Validity | GBP 30 | GBP 65 | GBP 20 |
| Double-Entry Visa with 6-month Validity | GBP 45 | GBP 65 | GBP 30 |
| Multi-Entry Visa with 6-month Validity | GBP 60 | GBP 65 | GBP 40 |
| Multi-Entry Visa with 12-month or 24-month Validity | GBP 90 | GBP 65 | GBP 60 |
2. Rush/Express Service Fee per Person
The regular processing time of a visa is 4 working days. For emergencies, rush/express service is available. If you apply for Rush Service, please submit application before 11:00 and pick up visa between 11:30-12:00 on the same day. Moreover, additional fees will be charged as following:
| Service | Time Needed | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Rush Service | 1 working day processing | GBP 20 |
| Express Service | 2-3 working days processing | GBP 15 |
Holiday Schedule of Chinese Embassy in UK in 2010 The Visa Office of the Embassy of P.R.C in UK will be closed on the following days.
| Festival | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Friday |
| Chinese New Year's Day | February 15 - 17 | Monday - Wednesday |
| Good Friday | April 2 | Friday |
| Easter Day | April 5 | Monday |
| International Labor Day | May 3 | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | May 31 | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | August 30 | Monday |
| Chinese National Day | October 1 – 5 | Friday – next Tuesday |
| Christmas Day | December 24 | Friday |
Information of Sections of Chinese Embassy in UK| Section | Information |
|---|---|
| Political Office | Chief: Counselor Liu Jinsong Zhou Yan: Tel: +44-020-72994037 Li Hua: Tel: +44-020-72994078 Fax: +44-020-76362981 |
| Press Office | Zhao Shangsen: Tel: +44-020-72994071 Mobile Phone: +44-079-76880066 Yu Jing: Tel: +44-020-72994094 Fax: +44-020-76365578 E-mail: press@chinese-embassy.org.uk |
| Administrative Office | Chief: Tang Ying Jin Bo: Tel: +44-020-72994021 Liu Zhongdon Mobile Phone: +44-079-76880077 Fax: +44-020-76370399 |
| Maritime Office | Chief: Counselor Tang Guomei Zhang Renping: Tel: +44-020-72998439 +44-078-72646072 (Mobile Phone) Fax: +44-020-76372447 Address: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD |
| Visa Office (for Diplomatic/Service/Courtesy Visa, Visa and Documents to Hong Kong/Macao) | Address: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, UK Tel: +44-020-76311430 Fax: +44-020-74369178 Email: visa@chinese-embassy.org.uk Office Hours: 09:00-12:00, Monday-Friday (except holidays) Note: The telephone is for general enquires. It is manual service during 10:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00, and it is answer-phone in other hours. |
| Economic & Commercial Counselor's Office | Chief: Counselor Jiang Fan Tel: +44-020-77238923 (for general inquiry) +44-020-72620253 (for trade inquiry) +44-020-72623911 (for investment inquiry) Fax: +44-020-77062777 Address: 16 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LH |
| Cultural Office | Chief: Counselor Wu Xun Tel: +44-020-74318830 , Jiang Lihua: +44-077-98582397 (Mobile Phone) Fax: +44-020-74318810 Address: 11 West Heath Road, Hampstead NW3 7UX |
| Science & Technology Office | Chief: Minister Counsellor Wang Baoqing Xi Yingtong: Tel: +44-020-74328376 +44-07942275781 (Mobile Phone) Fax: +44-020-72866833 Address: 42 Maida Vale, London W9 1RP |
| Educational Office | Chief: Minister Counselor Tian Xiaogang Tel: +44-020-76120260(working time) Zhang Zongming: +44-07841655552 Fax: +44-020-75804474 Address: 50 Portland Place, London W1N 3GD |
Recommended Visa Agency Visafirst.com process visas for over 30,000 people travelling to more than 100 countries every year. Click here to find more on the visa application process.
Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China
Please contact Embassy of U.K. in China if Englishes are in problems there.
Related China Embassies in Europe: China Embassy in AlbaniaChina Embassy in Andorra
China Embassy in Austria
China Embassy in Belarus
Copyright© 1998-2010 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Travelers' Voices on China Embassy in U.K.
1.
Mar. 8,2010 02:13 Reply
Ms.Maz(UK) said:
Hello I am travelling by land from London to Malaysia, I am currently in New Delhi and applying for my Chinese visa. Because I will be entering the country by train from Kazakhstan I am told by VFS that one needs to obtain a letter from the China Travel Service to get a special tourist visa. However no other travel agencies have heard of this, and I need a travel agent to book my train tickets within China and then to Hanoi for the China Travel Service to issue a letter. HAve you ever come across this before?
Mar. 8,2010 20:23
Mr.Charles(England) replied:
Ms.Maz, I haven't heard of this, however, I think that you can apply for Chinese visa in Malaysia where you don't need to apply for Chinese visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center. I think that the VFS takes you as tourists to China by your own vehicle,
Special Tourist Visa: Those who like to travel through China by his/her own vehicle or on foot have to find a travel agent in their own countries first. And then they should submit the document specifying the name list of the travelers, touring schedule (namely, port and time of entry, touring route, cities to call at and programs in China) and the vehicle information through the travel agent in their own countries to China Travel Service in China three months in advance.
2.
Mar. 3,2010 22:27 Reply
Mr.Jameson(United Kingdom) said:
Hello
I have booked a flight from Hanoi to Beijing on the 24th March 2010, and I would like to spend 2 months in China. I am currently in Vietnam. Is it possible for me to get my visa in Hanoi or do I need to go to HCMC for it? Will my visa only be valid for 30 days? If so is it possible to extend it in China? This is important so that I can book my return flight. Do I need a reservation for just my first night in China or for more days?
Mar. 4,2010 02:19
Mr.Charles(Ukraine) replied:
Mr.Jameson, as I replied to Mr. Frank, it is not simple answer to this issue. Maybe you can easily get a Chinese visa in Hanoi without the hotel reservation in China or flight ticket, I know that some Uk citiens easily get a Chinese visa in Hanoi, you can have a try at Chinese embassy in Hanoi. Generally speaking, the single entry tourist visa permits 30 days stay in China, you can write your planned stay duration on the visa application, the visa officer will consider it. But the return air ticket will be required if you want to get more than 30 days stay in China, the return air ticket can prove the departure time from China. As for the hotel reservation, you can book it for the first few days. The visa regulation vary from person to person, some applicants are denied because they are not resident in Vietnam, for Uk citizens, I guess that the visa regulation is not very strict, I can't give you an assuring answer, Mr. Jameson, can you send me back your feedback here after you get your Chinese visa?
3.
Mar. 2,2010 22:33 Reply
Mr.KERNOWSCOTT(United Kingdom) said:
Hi,
i have come to China on a Z visa with the intention of working for Sunny's English Club as a foriegn language teacher, unfortunately just after signing the contract they broke the terms which we agreed upon in email before coming to this country. I have had to end the contract, the problem is i think they have put papers through for a work Permit in Yiben without my consent. Does anyone know how this will affect me looking for work with an alternate employer, and getting another visa?
I would be grateful for any helpful responses to my query as this is quite a stressful situation which i would like to resolve ASAP,
Thanks
Mar. 3,2010 03:13
Mr.Charles(Ukraine) replied:
Mr.KERNOWSCOTT, can you tell me what papers are submitted for a work permit application? your degree certificate?
Mar. 3,2010 09:44
Mr.KERNOWSCOTT(United Kingdom) replied:
Hi,
I'm not too sure what has been submitted, when i told the company i was going to work with that i was going to leave they tried some scare tactics saying they had already put work permit papers through for Yiben, and that this would mean that i would not be able to get any further work in China.
Im not sure if they are being truthful, though i am quite worried as i really like China and would love to be able to do what i came here to do, teach English.
If you need any information to help me with this enquiry please dont hesistate to ask.
Thank-you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Scott
Mar. 4,2010 02:09
Mr.Charles(UK) replied:
Mr.KERNOWSCOTT, I guess that the Sunny's English Club cheat you, if the employer apply for work permit for you, your degree certificate (original and copy) is required to be submitted for the work permit application. Please don't worry, find a new capable employer (eg, public school), and sign a new work contract, the capable employer can apply for the work permit and An original Visa Notification Form issued by Chinese authorized unit for you, then you can apply for work visa and temporary residence permit.
4.
Mar. 2,2010 09:11 Reply
Mr.Frank(United Kingdom) said:
Hi there, my girlfriend and I (both UK citizens) are currently on a trip through Asia and we're very keen to visit China, I think we will be able to get a Chinese visa in Hanoi or Bangkok, is this the case? If so how long do we need for processing and what will the cost be. We are likely to be entering China (visa allowing!) some time in May. many thanks.
Mar. 3,2010 03:11
Mr.Charles(UK) replied:
Mr.Frank, Some Chinese visa offices are refusing to issue visas to persons who are not resident in the country concerned. In some cases having a visa for that country is considered OK, but this might be of no help if you are in a country where you do not require a visa.
There is no simple answer to this issue, nor is it clear exactly why this rule exists. The first option is to try at every Chinese Consulate that you pass in the hope that one will grant a visa. Therefore, you'd better have a try to apply for Chinese visa in Hanoi or Bangkok, it generally takes 4 working days, 7 working days at most, the fee for single entry visa is 1,100 Bahts in Thailand.
5.
Feb. 23,2010 07:20 Reply
Mr.Johnson(UK) said:
Hi there,
we planned a trip to China at the mid of March however i just realized that i have to apply the visa one month in advance before the travelling date, which means i am already too late to apply! While according to my boss, he just got a Chinese visa a week before his travelling date...I am a bit confused here.
Feb. 23,2010 22:00
Ms.MILES(United Kingdom) replied:
Mr.Johnson, usually you should apply about one month in advance of your intended date of entry into China, however, it is not too late for you to apply for Chinese visa now, it takes 4 working days for visa processing. If you apply for Chinese visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the express service will be three working days from submission of applications (e.g. customers applying on Monday will pick up their visas on Wednesday), Applicants requesting the express service must lodge visa applications at the CVASC counter before 12:00 noon Monday to Friday. It is not necessary to provide an air-ticket to fly to Mainland China within 3 working days.
Please make an online appointment first through the website http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/