World Country Guide

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
OtherEU	Yes	Yes	Yes
Japanese	Yes	1	Yes

Note
(a) China does not recognise dual nationality (eg US-Chinese, Canadian-Chinese). (b) Travellers are required to complete a health declaration certificate on arrival in China. HIV-positive travellers are not permitted to enter the country.

Passports
Required by all. Passport must be valid for at least six months for a single or double entry within three months of the date of visa issue; at least nine months for multiple entries within six months.

Visas
Required by all except:
(a) 1. nationals of Brunei, Japan and Singapore for stays of up to 15 days;
(b) transit passengers (except nationals of the UK and USA, who always require a visa) continuing their journey by the same or first connecting plane to another country within 24 hours who hold valid onward documentation and do not leave the airport.

Types of visa and cost
Tourist/Business/Transit (UK nationals): 30 (single-entry); 45 (double-entry); 60 (multiple-entry for business visas only; six months); 90 (multiple entry for business visas only; 12 months and two to five years). Group (at least five people): 24 per person. Visa charges for other nationals vary; check with Embassy for further information.

Validity
Tourist, Business and Group visas are normally valid for three months from the date of issue (single and double-entry). Multiple-entry visas are normally valid for six months, 12 months or two to five years. The validity of Business visas varies. Transit visas are generally valid for up to seven days.

Application to
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Visas should be applied for in person at least one month before departure. Group visas will usually be obtained by the tour operator or travel agent.

Application requirements
(a) Completed application form. (b) One recent passport-size photo. (c) Valid passport with at least one blank page. (d) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order only). Tourist: (a)-(d) and, (e) Return airline ticket or travel information about itinerary and confirmation of hotel reservation in China. Business: (a)-(d) and, (e) Official invitation (letter/fax) from a Chinese government department or a government-approved company indicating duration of stay and purpose of visit (original copies must be submitted for multiple-entry visas). Student: (a)-(d) and, (e) JW_201 or JW_202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China, and letter of admission from Chinese university/college. Group (five people or more): (a)-(d) and, (e) Confirmation letter or fax from an authorised Chinese travel company. A list of all group members should be presented in triplicate. Photocopies of all group passports with the visa form number for each member. The serial number given to group members should be listed in order on the group visa form. There should be a front page covering information about the group. Transit: (a)-(d) and, (e) Visa for the next country of destination and letter from employer (if applicable).

Working days required
Three (72 hours). Two weeks for Group visas. Applications should be made at least one month in advance. A same-day service may be available at an extra cost of 20 per person, or a 48-hour service at 15 per person. Visas, however, cannot be issued on the same day unless the same-day airline ticket or itinerary is presented.

Note
(a) The majority of visits to China tend to be organised through the official state travel agency CITS (China International Travel Service). This liaison with CITS is generally handled by the tour operator organising the inclusive holiday chosen by the visitor, though it is possible for individuals to organise their own itinerary. Once the tour itinerary details have been confirmed to the visitor or visiting group, finances to cover accommodation and the cost of the tour must be deposited with CITS through a home bank. Once again, for package trips, all the necessary formalities for a visit to China can be handled by the tour operator concerned. (b) Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travellers need a special permit and should obtain permission to visit Tibet or Xinjiang by fax from the following organisation before applying for a visa: Tourist Bureau of Tibet (see Contact Addresses section).

Temporary residence
Enquiries should be addressed to the Chinese Embassy.