U.K.

Chinese Embassy in U.K.

 Application Procedure and Fee

Ambassador: Mr. Zheng Zeguang
Address: 49 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, UK
Tel: +44-020-72994049 (General Line) 
Office Hours:  09:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00, Monday-Friday (except British and Chinese Holidays)
 

Consular Section of Chinese Embassy in UK

Address: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD
Tel: +44-020-72994020
Email:
zj_uk@mfa.gov.cn (passport)
E-mail: london_gzrz@csm.mfa.gov.cn (notarization and legalization)
Office Hours: 09:00-12:00 Monday-Friday (except holidays)
The Station Nearby: Great Portland Street Station, Regent's Park Station , Oxford Street Station
 

Consular Districts of Chinese Embassy/Consulates in UK

Embassy/Consulate General Consular Districts
Embassy of PRC in London Except the consular district of Consulates in Manchester, Edinburgh, other regions are the consular jurisdiction of the Embassy in London.
Consulate General of PRC in Edinburgh Scotland
Consulate General of PRC in Manchester Greater Manchester, Durham, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear
Consulate General of PRC in Belfast Northern Ireland


Notice for Application at China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC)

CVASC is responsible for receiving applications to mainland China from all ordinary passport holders who are UK citizens and citizens of other countries. It collects visa fees on behalf of the Embassy and the Consulate General. Currently, there are four branches in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast. The applicants are required to fill in the application form before going there in person to submit the application. 

For people who apply for Diplomatic/Service/Courtesy Visa, Visa and Enter Permit to Hong Kong/Macao, they still submit their application to the embassy or consulate directly. 
 

CVASC in London

Office Hours: 09:00-15:00 (Submission and payment); 09:00-16:00 (Collection), Monday-Friday (except holidays)
Address: 12 Old Jewry, London, EC2R 8DP
Tel: 020-7776 7888
Fax: 020-7710 6001
E-mail: ukcentre@visaforchina.org
ukcentre@visaforchina.org
 

CVASC in Manchester

Office Hours: 09:00-15:00 (Submission); 09:00-16:00 (Collection), Monday-Friday (except holidays)
Address: Ground Floor, 71 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HR
Tel: 016-1236 9619
Fax: 016-1244 5883
Email: manchestercentre@visaforchina.org
 

CVASC in Edinburgh

Office Hours: 09:00-15:00 (Submission); Monday-Friday (except holidays)
Address: 2nd Floor, Exchange Tower, 19 Canning Street, City of Edinburgh, EH3 8EG
Tel: 0131 2292519     
Fax: 0131 2291598
E-mail:  edinburghcentre@visaforchina.org
 

CVASC in Belfast

Office Hours: 10:00-15:00 Belfast Visa Centre will open on 28th Nov and 29th Nov 2023
Office Address: Chinese Welfare Association, 1 Stranmillis Embankment, Belfast BT7 1GB
Tel: 0131 2292519     
Fax: 0131 2291598     
E-mail: edinburghcentre@visaforchina.org
 

Major Visa Types & Requirements

Types Purpose
Tourist (L) It is issued for an alien who comes to PRC for sight-seeing.
Business (M) It is issued to those who intend to go there for commercial and trade activities.
Noncommercial Visit (F) It is issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.
Employment/Work (Z) It is issued for applicants going to PRC for employment or work.
Student (X)

It is issued for an alien who comes to PRC for study.
X1 is for those who plan to stay for more than 6 months, while X2 is issued for short stay.

Private Visit (S) It is issued to family members who intend to visit the foreigners with Work Z or student X in PRC, or to those who intend to go to PRC for other private affairs.
Family Reunion (Q) It is issued to family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in PRC.
Transit (G) It is issued for applicants going to PRC for transit to another country/region.

 Procedure for Application at CVASC      Visa Fees
 UK citizens can now apply for a 10-year China visa with multiple entries, if they plan to visit China for the purposes of tourism, commercial or business activities, and short-term family visits. Compared with regular visas, the required documents are the same while the price is higher.

Meanwhile, the 5-year multiple-entry China visa is now also available for UK citizens.
 

2024 Holiday Schedule of Consular Section, Chinese Embassy in the UK

Festival Date Day
New Year's Day January 1 Monday
Chinese New Year February 9 Friday
Chinese New Year February 12 Monday
Easter Monday April 1 Monday
Bank Holiday May 6 Monday
Bank Holiday August 26 Monday
Mid-Autumn Festival September 16 Monday
Chinese National Day September 30 - October 1 Monday - Tuesday
Christmas Day December 25 - 26 Wednesday - Thursday


2024 Holiday Schedule of the CVASC in London

Festival Date Day
New Year's Day January 1 Monday
Chinese New Year February 9 Friday
Chinese New Year February 12 Monday
Good Friday March 29 Friday
Easter Monday April 1 Monday
Bank Holiday May 6 Monday
Bank Holiday May 27 Monday
Bank Holiday August 26 Monday
Mid-Autumn Festival September 16 Monday
Chinese National Day September 30 - October 1 Monday - Tuesday
Christmas Day December 25 - 26 Wednesday - Thursday
Note: The holiday arrangement of the CVASC may be different. Please log on their official website for detailed holiday notice.

 Please contact Embassy of U.K. in China if British are in problems there. 

 Recommended Tours:
China Tours from UK
China Tour from London UK
China Tour from Manchester UK

 Other Chinese Embassies in Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus
- Last updated on Mar. 26, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Chinese Embassy in U.K.
Asked by Nary from UNITED KINGDOM | Mar. 15, 2024 10:48Reply
My wife is Chinese and lives in the UK and I am British and live in the UK
We got married in the UK. We would like to visit her family in China. I think I need a Q2 Visa but who is the invitor? Is it my wife or is it a family member of hers that lives in China?
Answers (1)
Answered by Marcy | Mar. 18, 2024 23:35
00Reply


Her family members live in China should be the invitors.
Asked by Nicholas from UK | Jan. 02, 2024 09:53Reply
Does our 9 year old need to attend the CVASC in person with us (parents)?
The text above suggests that all applicants need to attend in person, but I wanted to double cjeck.
Answers (2)
Answered by Hailey | Jan. 03, 2024 23:09
00Reply


According to the official website of the visa service center, applicants who are aged between 14 to 70 inclusive applying for Chinese visas are required to submit the application in person to get fingerprints and photo take at the Visa Application Centres.
Answered by Nicholas | Jan. 05, 2024 04:33
00Reply


Thanks Hailey

The website also states "The applicants are required to fill in the application form before going there in person to submit the application" and so given she is an applicant, it's probably safer we wait until the next school holidays and take her with us. Just wish the website was clearer in this respect.
Asked by Mark from UNITED KINGDOM | Nov. 07, 2023 13:37Reply
Medication
I will be visiting China shortly and just checking if Co-Codamol is fine to take, as I use it for pain relief.
Also will a prescription form be okay to cover my prescribed medicines as doctors no longer write medical letters
Answers (1)
Answered by Mia | Nov. 08, 2023 17:39
00Reply


It is better to prepare a doctor's prescription and don't take too much.
Asked by Aaron from UNITED KINGDOM | Sep. 25, 2023 06:23Reply
Medication
Hello,

I am travelling from the UK to Beijing where i will stay for 4 nights then move on to Singapore/Australia.

I will have prescribed medication with me for 2 months.

The medication is

- Citalopram
- Propranolol
- Tadalafil

Are these medications okay to travel with?

Thanks
Answers (3)
Answered by Olivia | Sep. 26, 2023 01:25
00Reply


It should not be a problem if for personal use. But still it is recommended to consult China customs directly.
Answered by Aaron | Sep. 26, 2023 04:27
00Reply


What is the contact details for China customs
Answered by Daisy | Sep. 26, 2023 18:12
00Reply


You can call 12360. It is better for you to prepare a doctor's prescription when entering China.
Asked by sezin from UNITED KINGDOM | Aug. 11, 2023 07:50Reply
How long is tourist visa for Beijing.
I’m hoping to visit my brother, non Chinese, who lives and works in Beijing.He has permanent residence . Can I apply for a 3 month visa, and stay with him in his house? What exactly needs to be included in a letter of invitation from him?what would constitute kinship and does that have to be included.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Aug. 13, 2023 22:44
00Reply


You are suggested to apply for a Q2 visa which is issued to family members of foreigners with   Chinese permanent residence. The Q2 visa can have a duration of at most 6 months. Generally, the invitation letter should include
a. Information regarding the applicant, including full name, gender, date of birth, etc.
b. Information about the visit, like purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relation of the applicant to the inviting entity or individual, and financial source for expenditures.
c. Information regarding the inviting individual, including name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of the inviting individual, etc.

Also, the Photocopy of Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Card in China and passport is needed.
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