China Passport/Visa Requirements

 

Passport: Valid for at least six months for a single/double entry visa within three months of the date of visa issue; at least nine months for multiple entries within six months. NOTE: (1) HIV-positive travellers are not permitted to enter the country, (2) Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travellers need an Alien's Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (www.tibettour.org/chinatibettoursite/moban/index.asp or www.tibettour.net.cn/en).

VISA: Required by all nationals in the table except: (1) transit passengers (except nationals of the 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, (2) some passengers (not including nationals of USA and UK) who transit through Pudong or Hongqiao airports only, with all the necessary documentation, within 48 hours.

Sites of interest for more information: www.chinese-embassy.org.uk, www.cnto.org.uk, www.chinese-embassy.org; and www.cnto.org.