IMPORTANT NOTICE
(2008-04-11)
1. The consular districts of this Consulate are as follows: GREATER MANCHESTER, MERSEYSIDE,LANCASHIRE, DERBYSHIRE,WEST YORKSHIRE,SOUTH YORKSHIRE, NORTH YORKSHIRE,DURHAM, TYNE AND WEAR, therefore we only accept the applications from residents of the aforesaid regions.
2.Our office Hours are 9 am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday (except Chinese and British public holidays, on which notices will be given in advance on our website homepage), and the collection hours are 10 am to 12 noon.
3. We don't have postal service. Please do not send your application by post.
4. The regular visa processing time is 4 working days. Express service (next day service) takes 1 working day. For the same day service, the applications must be submitted to our staff before 10:30 am (Please note that long queues are likely). The collection time for the same day service is between 11:30 am and 12:00 noon on that day.
5. Fees are paid on collection. Only cash, postal order and company check are accepted. No refund if the visa is turned down or cancelled.
6. Appointments are not required. Interviews may be required by the visa officer if necessary. Visa may be refused without detailed explanation.
Please make sure your have read the notices above before you proceed to read other information on visa.
Contents:
1. A brief introduction to Chinese Visa
2. Instructions on how to apply for a Chinese Visa
3. Processing time & Fees
4. How to read a Chinese Visa
A brief introduction to Chinese Visa
The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to his/her identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, F, X, Z, G, C, J, and D.
1. L Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visiting or other personal affairs.
2. F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for conference, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.
3. X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of studying or intern practice for more than six months.
4. Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and his / her accompanying family members, and who is to conduct commercial performance in China.
5. G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China.
6. C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them.
7. J Visa: Issued to foreign journalists. J Visa is subdivided into J-1 Visa and J-2 Visa. J-1 Visa is issued to a foreign resident correspondent in China. J-2 Visa is issued to a foreign correspondent on temporary short term news report mission in China.
8. D Visa: Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.
Information on Visa to Hong Kong S.A.R. and Macao S.A.R.:
British citizens may visit Hong Kong for up to 180 days without a visa, but visa is required for those to work, study, establish or join in any business or to take up residence. For visa requirements for foreign citizens, please visit the website of Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Citizens of U.K. and U.S. and other 53 countries may visit Macao without visas. Citizens from the other countries should apply for entry permit when they enter Macao. Please visit the website of Macao Identification Services Bureau for details.
Back to top
Instructions on how to apply for a Chinese Visa
Checklist for visa application:
A. All applicants are required to submit the following documents:
(1) A valid original passport. There must be blank visa pages in the passport. Pages for endorsements or amendments can not be used as a visa page. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months;
(2) One completed Chinese Visa Application Form signed by the applicant. Children's application form can be signed by their parents or guardians;
(3) One recent passport photograph affixed to the visa application form. Life photos, copied photos and digital photos printed on ordinary paper are not acceptable.
B. Additional documents:
1. L visa (for tourism or visiting relative)
I--If for tourism:
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(3)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
For applicants who are going to Tibet, an entry permit issued by Tibetan Tourist Bureau is required . (Fax number of Tibetan Tourist Bureau: 0086-891-6834632; Telephone number:0086-891-6834313)
II--If for visiting relative in China
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)Proof of kinship ( e.g. an invitation letter from the relative in China ), but the applicants who are below 14 years old or born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) as shown in the passport are not required to submit this proof);
(3)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
2. F visa (for business)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)Visa Notification Form issued by the relevant department of Chinese government or the government-authorized company;
(3)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(4)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
3. X visa (for studying more than 6 months in China)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)JW-201 or JW-202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China;
(3)A letter of admission from a Chinese University/College.
4. Z visa (for long-term working)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)An employment permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security or the State Administration of Foreign Experts of China;
(3)An invitation letter from a relevant Department of Chinese Government or a government-authorized company.
5. J-1 or J-2 visa (for journalism)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A letter from a relevant Department of Chinese government;
(3)A letter from the employer.
6. G visa (for transit through China)
(1)Documents mentioned in part A;
(2)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(3)A copy of outward and return flight ticket booking;
(4)A valid visa for the country of destination.
NOTE 1: For applicants from some specific countries, additional documents other than those mentioned above may be required.
NOTE 2: Applicants should check the issued visa upon collection and if necessary raise any queries at the same time. If there is no immediate query relating to the issued visa, the applicant is held responsible under any circumstances thereafter.
Back to top
Processing time & Fees
The regular visa processing time is 4 working days. Express service takes 1 working day. For the same day service, the applications must be submitted before 10:30 am. The collection time for the same day service is between 11:30 am and 12:00 noon on that day.
The table of visa fees (GBP)
|
Nationality |
Single Entry |
Double Entry |
Multi-Entry |
|
Half year |
1 year / 2 years |
|
British citizens |
30 |
45 |
60 |
90 |
|
American citizens |
65 |
65 |
65 |
65 |
|
All other Nationalities |
20 |
30 |
40 |
60 |
Visa fees for Hong Kong and Macao (GBP): 30 per person
Express and same day service fees (GBP)
|
Same day service |
Express Service |
|
20 |
15 |
Accompanying person using the same passport
The photo of the accompanying person using the same passport should be affixed to the form. The full visa fee will apply.
Fees are paid on collection. Only cash and postal order are accepted. No refund if the visa is turned down or cancelled.
Back to top
How to read a Chinese Visa
1. Entries
It refers to the number of entries the visa holder is permitted to enter China. When all entries permitted are used up, the visa will not be valid any more. When there is still entry unused, but the validity of entry runs out, the visa is not valid either. In either case, the visa holder should apply for another visa before they go to China.
2. The validity of visa (Enter before)
Before the entries are used up, the visa holder can enter China any day within the validity of the visa. The visa holder is allowed to enter China before 24:00 the day it expires. A single or double entry visa is usually valid for entry within 3 months from the date of issue. The multi-entry visas are of three categories, which are valid for six months, one year and two years respectively.
3. Duration of each stay after entry
It refers to the longest period of time the visa holder can stay in China from arrival each time and is not related to the validity of visa. If the visa holder needs to stay longer than the duration of stay, he or she should apply for extension of duration to the local public security bureau of China in advance.
The duration of each stay on X, Z, D, or J-1 visa is 000 day. Those visa holders should go through the procedure for obtaining residence permit in the local public security bureau of China within 30 days from the date of entry.
Back to top
The information above is subject to change without notice.