Passport/Visa | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? |
| British | Yes | Yes/1/2 | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
| Other EU | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
NoteThose wishing to
visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travelers need an Alien's Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (see
General Info). Applicants will need to show their Chinese Visa also.
Passport Note(a) China does not recognize dual nationality.
(b) HIV-positive travelers are not permitted to enter the country.
PassportsRequired by all nationals referred to in the chart above. 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.
VisasRequired by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a)
1. nationals of the UK traveling to Hong Kong only for stays of up to 180 days;
(b)
2. all nationals referred to in the chart above traveling only to Macao for stays of up to 90 days (except nationals of the USA for stays up to 30 days; and nationals of the UK for stays up to six months);
(c) transit passengers 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;
(d) some passengers (not including nationals of the USA or UK) who transit through Pudong or Hongqiao airports only, with all necessary documentation, within 48 hours.
Visa Note(a) Journalists now need to apply for accreditation from the press department of the Chinese embassy before applying for a visa.
(b) Business travelers are required to provide proof of a hotel booking in China and an official invitation from the Chinese Foreign Ministry when applying for a visa.
(c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see
General Info).
Types of Visa and CostTourist/Business/Transit UK nationals: £30 (single-entry); £45 (double-entry); £60 (multiple-entry; six months); £90 (multiple-entry; 12 months
and two to five years).
Group (at least five people): £24 per person. US nationals: £65 (single-, double- and multiple-entry).
Group (at least five people): £55 per person. Visa charges for other nationals vary; check with embassy for further information.
ValidityTourist,
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.
Applications to:Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see
General Info. Group visas will usually be obtained by the tour operator or travel agent.
Working Days RequiredFour. Two weeks for Group visas. Applications should be made one month in advance. The express service (£15 fee) requires three days.
WarningMost visits to China are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Following widespread unrest in Tibet, including violent protests in the city of Lhasa in March 2008 and in some Tibetan areas of the provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai and at Xiahe in Gansu in China, the situation remains tense. Travel to Tibet requires permission from the Chinese authorities and this is currently not being granted. Visitors should keep yourself informed of developments and be aware of heightened tensions, avoiding all areas where demonstrations are taking place.
On 12 May 2008, an earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale struck south-western China, 92 kms northwest of Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan Province. Transport links have been damaged. Chengdu airport is closed but Chongqing airport has reopened though flights are heavily delayed. Visitors are advised against all but essential travel to Sichuan given the damage to infrastructure and a warning from Chinese authorities warning about the possibility of aftershocks in the affected regions.
An intestinal virus, a variant of hand, foot and mouth disease, is affecting China with over 12,000 reported cases by 7 May 2008. Anhui province is the most affected area but there have also been reported cases in Hangzhou City in Zhejiang province, Hubei province, Beijing and Hong Kong. Children are at particular risk from the virus with 22 reported deaths being in children under the age of 6.
There have been outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) in poultry in China. Since November 2005, this has led to a small number of human fatalities in rural areas of Liaoning, Guangxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Hunan and Guangdong provinces, believed to have arisen through close contact with infected poultry. The risk to humans from avian influenza is believed to be low. However, as a precaution, travelers should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds could occur; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the avian ifluenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissible between people.
Since June 2006, a number of people in Beijing have been hospitalised and diagnosed as suffering from meningitis caused by a parasite after eating raw or undercooked Amazonian snails at Beijing restaurants. The Chinese authorities are advising people not to eat raw seafood or snails. No deaths have been reported.
Since August 2006, there have been reports of a number of deaths related to Japanese Encephalitis in the Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces in northern China.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website:
www.fco.gov.uk US Department of State Website:
http://travel.state.gov/travel Health | Special Precautions | Certificate Required? |
| Diphtheria | Yes | |
| Hepatitis A | Yes | |
| Malaria | Sometimes | |
| Rabies | Yes | |
| Tetanus | Yes | |
| Typhoid | Yes | |
| Yellow Fever | No* | |
Health CareMedical services tend to be offered through local hospitals rather than private clinics. Costs at local hospitals are low and standards vary. Medical facilities in international hospitals are excellent and many common drugs are available over the counter. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments are also used widely in China, such as acupuncture, meridian massage, cupping and herbal medications. Medical insurance is strongly advised.
Note* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers arriving from infected areas.
Next Page »
