Applying for a Chinese visa in the UK: what the embassy's own FAQ says

The Chinese Embassy in the UK's FAQ (Q2) says that an applicant with an ordinary passport, applying for an ordinary visa for mainland China, fills in the electronic application form on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. The applicant then goes to the relevant Visa Center in the U.K. once the online review is approved. This article digests one embassy's pages. Both pages carry a time stamp of 1 July 2020, and their answers are written for applicants in the UK. Other Chinese missions may publish different answers.

Where and how to apply (Q2)

Q2 gives a different answer for each passport and visa type. The four cases are set out below.

Ordinary passport, ordinary visa for China (mainland only)

Q2 says the applicant fills in the electronic visa application forms on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. Part Two, section III, says the form is filled in online in advance. For this case, the steps in Q2 run in this order:

• Fill in the electronic visa application forms on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website.
• Wait until the online review is approved.
• Go to the relevant Visa Center in the U.K.
• Bring your passport and other supporting documents.
• Have your biometric information taken at the Visa Center.

Ordinary visa for Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR

Q2 says the application may be submitted directly to the relevant Chinese Visa Application Service Center. Q2 also says no appointment, electronic forms or biometric information is needed.

Diplomatic and service (official) passport, or diplomatic, service or courtesy visa

Q2 says to fill in the visa application forms online through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. It then says to submit the passport and other supporting documents required to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates-General during their working hours, once the online review is approved. Q2 says no appointment is required.

Diplomatic or service visa for Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR

Q2 says to submit the application directly to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates-General. Q2 says no online application form or appointment is required.

Which type of visa and which documents (Q3 and Q4)

Q3 says the type of visa depends on the purpose of the visit. It refers the reader to the embassy's page "Visa for China (Mainland only)" for explanations of the visa types. Q3 also says: "The Chinese visa officer will decide what type of visa will be issued."

Q4 says that different types of visa require different supporting documents. It refers the reader to "How to apply for a visa for China (mainland only)", which is Part Two of the same embassy's pages.

How far in advance to apply (Q5)

Q5 gives this advice: "It is advised that you submit the application 1-2 months in advance of your planned date of entry to China." The FAQ presents this as advice.

Q5 also gives two risks. It says that applications made too early may result in expiry of the visa on the day of your actual travel. It says that if the application is submitted on a date too close to the intended travel date, you might run the risk of having to postpone your trip due to untoward delay in visa processing.

Changing your itinerary (Q10)

Q10 says: "Unless otherwise specified on the visa, you may change your itinerary but must make your entry into China before the visa expires."

While you are in China (Q12)

Q12 makes three points, each stated separately in the FAQ answer:

• Foreign citizens must abide by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China while they are in China.
• Foreign citizens must not engage in any activities other than the stated purpose of the visit in the visa application form, or activities requiring approval from the authorities of the Chinese government.
• If foreign citizens are seeking to work in China, they need to apply for a work permit.

If the visa expires while you are in China (Q15)

Q15 is asked as "The visa has expired whilst I'm in China. Can I still stay?" The answer is a condition: "As long as you enter China before the expiry date of the visa, you may stay for the full length of the duration of each stay allowed by the visa."

Important notices (Part Two, section VI)

(1) Please fill in the application form truthfully, clearly and completely.

(2) 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 decline of entry into China.

(3) The original documents required will be returned to applicants once verified at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center or Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. If not otherwise specified, the copy of documents can be in the form of fax or computer printout.

After item (3), the page says that when necessary, applicants may be informed to attend an interview at the Embassy (Consulate General), or be required to provide other proof of documents and to verify the signature on the supporting materials.

(4) Authoritative interpretation remains with Chinese Embassy and Consulate General, should there be any changes to the terms above.

Sources

• Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part Seven: FAQs and Answers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs mission
• Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only), Ministry of Foreign Affairs mission

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, and it is not legal or immigration advice. If the official text differs from this summary, the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail.