Country
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
Return Ticket Required?
(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.
Required by all. Passport must be valid for at least 6
months for a single or double entry within 3 months of the
date of visa issue; at least 9 months for multiple entries
within 6 months.
Required by all except
(a) Transit passengers continuing
their journey to another country who hold valid onward
documentation and do not leave the airport.
Tourist/Business/Transit: (UK nationals) $45 (Single-entry);
$60 (Double-entry); $90 (Multiple-entry for
business visas only; 6 months); $140 (Multiple entry for
business visas only; 12 months). Tourist/Business/Transit
(other nationals): $30 per person (Single-entry); $45 (Double-entry);
$60 (Multiple-entry). Group: $30 per
person. Express Services cost an extra $22 (for visas issued
within 24 hours).
An additional $30 must be enclosed with all postal
applications to cover handling and postal charges.
Tourist, Business and Group visas are
normally valid for 3 months (single and double-entry).
Multi-entry visas are normally valid for 6 months. The
validity of Business visas varies. Transit visas are generally
valid for up to 10 days.
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). Visas should be applied for in person at least 1
month before departure.
Tourist: (a) Completed application form. (b) 1
recent passport-size photo. (c) Valid passport with at least
one blank page. (d) Fee (payable in cash only). (e) Sufficient
funds for duration of stay. (f) Return airline ticket, travel
information about itinerary and confirmation of hotel
reservation in China. (g) A stamped, self-addressed envelope
for postal applications (registered/recorded delivery is
recommended).
Business: (a)-(g), and (h) Official
invitation from a Chinese governmental department or a
government-approved company indicating duration of stay and
purpose of visit (original copies only).
Work:
(a)-(g), and (h) as for Business visas, and (i) employment
permit from Ministry of Labour or the Sate Bureau of Foreign
Experts in China.
Group (10 people or more):
(a)-(g), and (h) 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.
Transit:
(a)-(g), and (h) Travellers may be required to show a visa for
the next country of destination or an airline ticket.
Applications should be made 1 month in advance.
Applications take 3 days if applied in person and 14 days if
applied by post. A 24-hour service is available upon request.
Enquiries should be made to the Chinese Embassy.
(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
Address section).
Department of Marketing and Communications, 9A
Jianguomennei Avenue, Beijing 100740, People’s Republic of
China
Tel: (10) 6520 1114. Fax: (10) 6512 2096.
Website:
http://www.cnta.com/
Head Office, 103 Fuxingmennei Avenue, Beijing 100800,
People’s Republic of China
Tel: (10) 6601 1122 or
6601 2055. Fax: (10) 6603 9331.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.cits.net/
Yuanlin Road, Lhasa, Tibet 850001, People’s Republic of
China
Tel: (891) 683 4313. Fax: (891) 683 4632.
Room M021 Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimennanjie, Beijing 100027,
People’s Republic of China
Tel: (10) 6500 1188 (ext 3423)
or 6593 6538. Fax: (10) 6593 6538.
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website: http://www.tibettour.net.cn/
6/F Laojiefu Commercial Building, No.233 East Nanjing Rd,
Shanghai 2000002, People’s Republic of China
Tel: (21) 3313
0524 or (21) 6321 1729. Fax: (21) 6323 1016.
E-mail:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Website: http://www.tibet-tour.com/
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all
travellers if arriving from infected areas.
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera
vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to China.
However, cholera is a slight risk in this country and
precautions could be considered. Up-to-date advice should be
sought before deciding whether these precautions should
include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its
effectiveness. For more information, see the Health
appendix.
A strain of Bengal cholera has been
reported in western areas.
Malaria risk exists throughout the country below 1500m
except in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Beijing,
Shanxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang (except in the Yili River
Valley) and Tibet (Xizang, except in the Zangbo River Valley
in the extreme southeast). North of 33�N, the risk lasts from
July to November, between 33�N and 25�N from May to December,
and south of 25�N throughout the year. The disease occurs
primarily in the benign vivax form but the malignant
falciparum form is also present and has been reported
to be multidrug-resistant. The recommended prophylaxis in risk
areas is chloroquine, or mefloquine in Hainan and Yunnan.
Outside main centres all water used for drinking, brushing
teeth or freezing should have first been boiled or otherwise
sterilised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably
served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased
risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the
central Yangtze river basin. Avoid swimming and paddling in
fresh water. Swimming pools that are well-chlorinated and
maintained are safe. There is some risk of plague.
Hepatitis E is prevalent in northeastern and northwestern
China and hepatitis A is common across the country.
Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Oriental liver
fluke (clonorchiasis), oriental lung fluke
(paragonimiasis) and giant intestinal fluke
(fasciolopsiasis) are reported, and brucellosis also
occurs. Bancroftian and brugian filariasis are
still reported in southern China, visceral
leishmaniasis is increasingly common throughout, and
cutaneous leishmaniasis has been reported from
Xinjiang. Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is
endemic. Precautions should be taken against Japanese
encephalitis. Mite-borne or scrub typhus may
be found in scrub areas of southern China. Rabies is
present, although the Government policy which bans dogs and
cats from main cities makes this less of a risk in these
areas. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival
should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice
without delay. For more information, consult the Health
appendix.
Medical costs are low. Many medicines common in Western
countries are unavailable in China. Medical facilities in
international hospitals are excellent. There are many
traditional forms of medicine still used in China, the most
notable being acupuncture. Medical insurance is strongly
advised.
Jan 1 New Year’s Day. Feb 12-14 Spring
Festival, Chinese New Year. May 1 Labour Day. Oct 1
National Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 1-3
Spring Festival, Chinese New Year. May 1 Labour
Day. Oct 1 National Day.
Destination Guide – China
Passport and Visa Application
Health
Holidays
Note
Passports
Visas
Types of visa and cost
Note
Validity
Application to
Application requirements
Working days required
Temporary residence
Note
Addresses
1
2
3
4
Other risks
Health care
Public Holidays
Note
| British | yes | yes | yes |
| Australian | yes | yes | yes |
| Canadian | yes | yes | yes |
| USA | yes | yes | yes |
| Other EU | yes | yes | yes |
| Japanese | yes | yes | yes |
| China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) |
| China International Travel Service (CITS) |
| Tibet Tourism Administration |
| Tibet Tourism Office |
| Tourism Office |
|
|
|
|
| Health Precaution | Special Precaution | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | yes | 1 |
| Cholera | 2 | no |
| Typhoid and Polio | yes | n/a |
| Malaria | 3 | n/a |
| Food and Drink | 4 | n/a |
|
In addition to the above, other holidays may be observed locally and certain groups have official public holidays on the following dates: Mar 8 International Women’s Day (women only). May 4 National Youth Day. Jun 1 International Children’s Day. Aug 1 Army Day. |