Asia and Oceania

British nationals require visas to enter the mainland of China, but not Hong Kong.  Visas must be obtained prior to arrival, including for Hainan Island where an earlier exemption was withdrawn in June 2008. For details of entry requirements to China you should contact the Chinese Embassy in London in good time before your proposed trip. It is currently very difficult to change visa category in country.

You should carefully check your visa validity as fines are levied for overstaying.

Your passport should have a minimum validity of six months on arrival in China.

You are required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities are now actively enforcing this requirement.  If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process. 

If you are entering China for employment, study or private purposes for a stay of over six months, you must produce a health certificate, which includes a blood test for HIV, which has been legalised by the Chinese Embassy.

If you visit Hong Kong from the mainland of China you will require a double or multiple entry visa to gain re-entry to the mainland.

If you are transiting China en route to a third country you do not require a transit visa if you are staying within the confines of the airport for less than 24 hours.  If your stopover requires you to leave the airport, you will need a transit visa for both the outward and return journeys.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Chinese Embassy in London.