Private visa service, not the Chinese Embassy. British passport? You can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. Check if you need a visaMon–Fri 9am–4pm · Manchester 0161 956 2003 · London 020 7205 2282
China Visa Expert, corporate and business travel services, home

China tourist visa from the UK(L visa).

The China tourist visa, known as the L visa, is for holidays, sightseeing and visiting friends in China. We prepare your China tourist visa application, check your bookings and photo, and book your visa centre appointment.

Start China tourist visa application Call 0161 956 2003
  • L visaTourism and visiting friends
  • 3 to 4 daysTypical processing
  • £301Standard, all in
  • £357Express, all in

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What a China tourist visa covers

Holidays and sightseeing

Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin and beyond.

Visiting friends

Staying with friends who live in China.

Tours and cruises

Group tours and cruise stops.

Events and festivals

Attending events as a visitor.

Not covered by a China tourist visa

  • Business meetings or trade fairs
  • Paid or unpaid work
  • Study courses
  • Journalism or filming for media
  • Visiting Tibet without a permit

Documents you’ll need

DocumentDetailsNeeded
PassportYour original passport, valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, with at least 2 blank visa pages, plus a copy of the photo page.Required
PhotoOne recent colour photo, 33 × 48 mm, on a plain white background, no glasses, face and ears clearly visible. We check it before your appointment.Required
Online application formThe official Chinese visa application form, completed and printed with its confirmation page.We prepare
Return flight bookingConfirmed or reserved flights into and out of China.Required
Hotel bookingsCovering every night of your stay. If you’re staying with a friend, an invitation letter and a copy of their ID instead.Required
Previous Chinese visasA copy of your last Chinese visa, if you’ve had one. Former Chinese citizens need extra documents, which we’ll explain.If applicable
UK residence statusIf you’re not a British citizen: your UK visa, BRP or eVisa share code page showing you live here legally.If applicable

Upload them from your phone. We check every document and resize it to the official limits before we submit.

All documents must be in English or Chinese. Upload them from your phone and we check every one before your appointment.

  1. 1

    Apply online

    Answer a few questions and upload your passport, photo and documents.

  2. 2

    We check and book

    We complete the official form, check every document and book your appointment.

  3. 3

    We submit your application

    We hand in your passport at the visa centre. No fingerprints needed for short-term visas until 31 December 2026.

  4. 4

    Collect your visa

    Your passport comes back with the visa inside, usually within 3 to 4 working days.

Rules to know before you travel

British passport? You may not need a visa

Until 31 December 2026, British citizens can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges and transit. You still need a visa for longer stays, work, study or journalism. Check if you need a visa

No fingerprints needed for short-term visas

Until 31 December 2026, short-term China visas (stays of up to 180 days) don’t need fingerprints, so you don’t need to go to the visa centre. We complete your form, check every document and submit your application and passport at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre for you.

Passport rules

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you enter China and have at least two blank visa pages. If yours is close to expiry, renew it first.

When to apply

You can usually apply up to three months before you travel. Allow at least two weeks to prepare, book an appointment and have the visa processed, or choose express service if you’re short of time.

Tibet and restricted areas

Visiting Tibet needs a separate Tibet Travel Permit, arranged through a Chinese travel agency. Some border areas also need permits. Tell us your itinerary and we’ll flag anything extra.

Need a visa for your team?

We handle China visas for companies of every size, from one-off trips to regular travellers.

Corporate accounts

Fees

The embassy fee and our service fee, shown separately, so you always know where your money goes.

VisaProcessing timeEntriesEmbassy feeOur feeTotal you pay
Standard serviceTourist (L) visaUsually 4 working daysSingle, double or multiple£151£150£301
Express serviceTourist (L) visaUsually 3 working daysSingle, double or multiple£182£175£357

Embassy fees shown are those charged by the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre to British passport holders, and may differ for other nationalities. They aren’t refundable, even if the visa is refused. Our fee is per person and includes checking your documents, completing the online form and booking your appointment.

Need it quickly? Choose express service when you apply. Tell us your travel date and we’ll tell you the latest day to submit.

China tourist visa requirements

You need a passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages, a recent photo on a white background, your return flights and hotel bookings for every night. If you’re staying with a friend instead of a hotel, they send an invitation letter with a copy of their Chinese ID or passport and residence permit.

Do I need a China tourist visa as a British citizen?

Until 31 December 2026, British citizens can holiday in China for up to 30 days without a visa. If your trip is longer, you plan to return several times, or your trip goes beyond 31 December 2026, a China tourist visa is the safer option. Other nationalities living in the UK should check with us.

Single, double or multiple entry?

The China tourist visa can be issued for one, two or several entries. Which you’re given depends on your travel history and the visa centre’s decision. If you’ll leave China and come back, for example to visit Hong Kong, ask for at least a double entry.

Related pages

Visa-free for British citizensPhoto requirements240-hour visa-free transit

Questions people ask

How long can I stay on a China tourist visa?

Usually up to 30 days per visit, though longer stays can be granted. The permitted stay is printed on the visa.

Do I need to book hotels before I apply?

Yes. The visa centre asks for hotel bookings for your whole stay, or an invitation if you’re staying with friends. Refundable bookings are fine.

Can I visit Hong Kong on my China tourist visa?

Hong Kong and Macau have their own entry rules. British citizens don’t need a visa for short visits there, but leaving mainland China uses an entry, so ask for a double or multiple entry visa.

How long does a China visa take?

The visa centre usually processes standard applications in 4 working days and express applications in 3 working days, after your appointment. Allow extra time to prepare and book the appointment.

Do I need to go to the visa centre?

Not usually. Until 31 December 2026, short-term visas (stays of up to 180 days) don’t need fingerprints, so we submit your application at the visa centre for you.

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Start online in about 10 minutes, or call us if you’d rather talk first.

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