Bikes and bright red lanterns on a Beijing street

China Visas Requirements

Visa requirements - China

All Western visitors to China require visas. You may apply for your Chinese visa within 3 months of your intended arrival. The visa is valid for entry within 3 months, so you cannot apply any earlier. on the go will furnish you with an invoice/itinerary indicating that you are travelling in China on a pre-arranged holiday, but you will also need a copy of your flight itinerary.

Please Note: If your travel in China involves travelling by train a scanned or photocopied copy of your passport is required by the Chinese Government.

Visa requirements – Hong Kong

The Hong Kong visa system is almost exactly the same as it was under British rule ten years ago, and therefore wholly separate to the Chinese visa system.

Most Western visitors to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China do not require a tourist visa issued in advance of travel. Currently, nationals of Australia, Canada, Ireland, most other EU countries, New Zealand and the US do not require a visa for a stay not exceeding 90 days. UK nationals do not require a visa for a stay not exceeding 180 days, whilst holders of RSA passports do not require a visa for a stay not exceeding 30 days.

Please Note: If your travel in China involves travelling by train a scanned or photocopied copy of your passport is required by the Chinese Government.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Though correct at time of printing, all visa information is subject to alteration without notice. Visa procurement remains the responsibility of the passenger and not that of on the go.

Please Note:

Your passport must possess at least 2 blank pages and have at least 6 months validity remaining after date of intended exit from China.

Please click on the relevent link below for more information:

Information for UK citizens	Information for US and Canadian citizens	Information for Australian and New Zealand citizens

Information for UK citizens

Visa application forms and instructions for completion will be sent to you in your confirmation package. To save you taking time off work and the hassle of queuing at the Chinese Embassy (often for a very long time), we also offer a convenient visa courier service whereby we will get your visa sorted out for you.

Charges for obtaining a China visa can be found in the letter sent with all tour confirmations.

Download Visa Form for UK residents here

Instructions for UK residents on how to fill out China visa form