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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of China’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in China set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .

Immigration authorities may collect biometric data, including scanned fingerprints and photos, to register your entry into China.

Medical screening on arrival or during your time in China

You may need to pass through medical screening on entry into China. This may be body temperature scanning, or more rarely testing such as throat or nasal swabs or medical examinations. Recent changes to China’s ‘Frontier Health and Quarantine Laws’ means you may be refused entry into China if you do not comply with the screening measures. The Chinese authorities react quickly to outbreaks of any infectious disease.

Passport validity requirements

To enter China, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and 2 blank pages for visas and stamping.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

If you renew your passport while you are in China, contact your local exit and entry office or call the national immigration service hotline on 12367, before or immediately upon receipt.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit mainland China.

You can visit Hainan without a visa if you fly directly from an approved country or transit point. Check the for more information.

Visa-free transit through China is permitted depending on location. See  or for more information.

Visa requirements for Hong Kong and Macao are different.

Applying for a visa

If you’re 14 to 70 years old, you must apply for a visa online and then go in person to a . Officials will take a scan of your fingerprints as part of your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. If you’re aged 13 or under, or 71 or over, you do not have to attend in person, but someone will need to submit your application on your behalf.

The Chinese Embassy has further information on .

If you visit Hong Kong from mainland China and want to return to the mainland, you need a visa that allows you to make a second entry into China.

Check your visa details carefully and do not overstay your visa. The authorities carry out regular checks and may fine, detain and deport you.

If you want to stay in China longer than 6 months, you may need to get a residence permit.

Teaching visas

Teachers have been detained and deported for working on the wrong visa. It is your responsibility to check you’re working on the correct visa.

Dual Chinese-British nationality

China does not recognise dual nationality. If you were born in China to a Chinese national parent, you will be:

• considered by the Chinese authorities to have Chinese nationality
• treated as a Chinese citizen, even if you used a British passport to enter China

If you enter China on a Chinese passport or identity card, the British Embassy will not be able to offer you help. If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, you should carry clear evidence that you have done so. See guidance on nationality in China.

If you’re a former Chinese citizen, Chinese authorities may:

• treat you as a Chinese citizen

• refuse you access to UK consular services

This can happen even if you entered China on a UK or other foreign passport and you:

• haven’t renounced your citizenship according to Chinese law

• haven’t formally advised the Chinese authorities of your UK citizenship

• continue to maintain a Chinese passport or household registration

Authorities may not allow certain categories of Chinese citizens, such as state officials, to renounce their Chinese nationality under Chinese law.

You should get professional legal advice if you’re unsure of your citizenship status under Chinese law.

Working in China

You can only work in China if you have a work visa (Z visa). Tourist and business visas do not allow you to work. You must also hold a valid work permit. The local police regularly carry out checks on companies and schools. If you do not follow Chinese immigration laws, there can be serious penalties, including:

• imprisonment
• fines
• deportation
• an exit ban, which stops you from leaving China
• an exclusion order, which stops you from returning

Before you leave the UK, contact the to check Z visa requirements. When submitting your application, and when you receive your work permit, check the details are correct, including the location you’ll be working in. If the details are incorrect – even if your employer or others submitted the application on your behalf – the authorities can detain you, fine you or deport you.       

If you are going to change employer once you’re in China, or change location in China with an existing employer, check with the Chinese authorities whether you need a new visa and work permit before doing so.

Vaccine requirements 

To enter China, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a .

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Registering with the authorities

You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities enforce this rule with regular spot-checks of foreign nationals’ documentation. If you’re staying in a hotel, they will register you when you check in.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.