I. Eligible applicants

Diplomatic or service visas are issued to diplomats, government officials, members of the Royal Family and Members of Parliament who intend to visit China on diplomatic or official purposes. British diplomatic passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to China. For holders of diplomatic or service (official) passport from other countries, please refer to List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption Between the People's Republic of China and Foreign Countries.

Courtesy visas are issued to foreigners who are given courtesy due to their special status, such as diplomatic passport holders who travel to China in private for tourism, visiting relatives or transit, and other eligible applicants whom the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the U.K. consider necessary to grant courtesy.

II. Application Procedures

Diplomatic, service or courtesy visa applicants are not required to pre-book appointment time slots. The applicants only need to complete and print out the online application forms at www.visaforchina.org, then submit hard copies of documents required to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the U.K.

Except for the following applicants, British passport holders shall have their biometrics information (fingerprints and photo) collected at the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the U.K.:

1. Personnel who are dispatched to British diplomatic or consular missions in China as diplomats or administrative and technical staff, as well as their accompanying spouses and children under the age of 18.

2. British Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials.

3. Principal members of the Royal Family a nd their accompanying spouses and children under the age of 18; members of the accompanying delegation on official visits to China.

4. A government official at or above vice-ministerial level and his/her accompanying spouse and children under the age of 18; members of the accompanying delegation on official visit to China.

5. Other eligible applicants whom the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the U.K. consider necessary to grant courtesy and their accompanying spouses and children under the age of 18.

III. Documents required

1. Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and photocopy of the bio data page.

2. Application form and photo

One completed and print-out application form from www.visaforchina.org and one passport photo. (Please refer to the Photo Requirements for Chinese Visa Application)

3. Verbal Note or Official Letter

For British Citizens: a Verbal Note or Official Letter issued by relevant government departments, the Royal Family or the Parliament, which states the applicants' official identity and official purpose for visiting China. 

For Non-British Citizens: a Verbal Note or Official Letter issued by relevant diplomatic missions or international organizations in the U.K. or in China.

4. An official Invitation L etter from Chinese government departments or relevant diplomatic missions in China.

IV. Processing Time

1. Standard Service: The visa will be ready for collection on the fourth working day.

2. Express Service: The visa will be ready for collection on the third working day.

Working hours for visa application and collection are 9:00 to 12:00, Monday to Friday.

V. Important Notes

1. Diplomatic, service and courtesy visas are free of charge.

2. Application form must be filled in truthfully, clearly and in full.

3. Applicants shall be responsible for the authenticity of the passport, application form, photo and any other supporting documents (including photocopies). Any inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information may lead to an extension of visa approval time, decline or rejection of a visa, or refusal of entry into China.