China.
Visa Types:
Tourist, Business and Transit.
Available Validity Period:
Validity is normally 3 months from date of issue for single entry visas. Validity for multiple entry visas is 2 years, if the applicant attends a fingerprinting appointment at the Consulate. Transit visas are generally valid for up to 10 days.
Approximate Turnaround Time:
Normal turnaround for approval 3 days to 1 week.
Processing time to receive visa 3 days.
Same Day Service is no longer available.
Express Service is now 3 working days
The embassy will not issue multiple visas in all cases.
Please read the following carefully and fully before applying for your visa(s) / passport(s).
Applicants are strongly advised to obtain visa(s) prior to making firm travel and accommodation bookings.
If the purpose of your travel is other than tourism or business, please contact us for details.
Price Overview
Birch Visas Fee
(excl. VAT)
Birch Visas Handling Fee (Per visa)
£150.00
Royal Mail special delivery, if required
£12.50
Consular Charge
(VAT excluded)
£248 Per Visa£248 Per VisaNotes: Consular charges are estimates based on latest information held by Birch Visas Ltd and may be varied without notice by the issuing consular authority.
Requirements
A visa is required by UK passport holders visiting China for any of the following purposes: Tourism, Business, Transit.
Applicants will be required to attend consular facilities in person for the purpose of finger printing.
Processing time is usually 3 working days once approval has been received from the Embassy, but may be extended if additional supporting materials are required by issuing authorities.
The approval can take anywhere from 3 working days to 1 week to come through from the Embassy. Once approval has been received, we will then arrange for the applicant to attend in order to provide fingerprints.
In order to obtain your visa(s) we need you to provide us with the following documents
China Visa Questionnaire Application Form – Please complete attached form in full and submit to Birch Visas along with the below listed documentation.
Recent passport-style photograph – Uploaded photograph must be against white background.
Passport – Passport(s) must have blank pages and at least 6-months validity remaining.
Flight(s) booking confirmation – Details of flight itinerary.
Evidence of hotel booking(s) – Receipt(s) or reservation confirmation(s).
Previous China Visas – Copies of any previous China visas issued.
Host ID Card – If visiting China at the invitation of a Chinees citizen then a copy of the host’s ID card is required.
Old/Expired Passport(s) – Any old or expired passports containing previously issued China visa(s).
Employer Letter – Employer letter is required for business visa(s). Must be on company headed notepaper and state the position held by the applicant and the purpose of their visit.
Letter of Invitation – Must include: (1) Full name, Gender and date of birth, written in both english and chinese. (2) Full name and job title of person in China completing the invitation, written in both english and chinese. (3) Signature of person completing invitation in Chinese. Invites must be signed in Chinese characters, not western style signature. If person is not Chinese then they must provide a copy of their passport and Chinese visa. (4) Purpose of visit to China. (5) Intended Entry and Exit dates to China. (6) Intended duration of stay. (7) Intended destination(s) in China. (8) Applicant’s relationship with the inviting party. (9) Full name address and telephone number of the Company in China. (10) Who will be financially responsible for the applicant during their stay in China. (11) The invitation must be signed and bear the official company stamp.
The step-by-step process to obtain your visa(s) will be as follows
Complete and send to us by email; China Visa Form Questionnaire and Birch Visas Enquiry Form. If multiple visa(s) and/or passports are needed please include the names of all applicants on this form.
Assemble all supporting documents, as listed above, and send or deliver to our office.
We will check all materials.
We will then contact you to arrange a mutually convenient date for you to meet our agent at the China Visa Centre to complete the formalities.
We will pay all consular charges on your behalf and recoup these outlays from you via our invoice.
We will collect your passport(s) once visa(s) have been issued.
We will generate our invoice to you and request payment.
We will arrange the return of your passport(s) by; Royal Mail Special Delivery, courier, or personal collection from our office, as required.
Start your journey.
Get in touch with us today!
FAQ.
When we lodge your application, we will pay any consular or passport office charges on your behalf. When we have obtained your visa and/or passport we will provide you with a VAT invoice which will include: our handling fee, postage/courier charges and any up-front payments we have outlaid on your behalf. Our invoice is then payable on receipt. We can accept payment by: cash, cheque, credit/debit card, or bank transfer.
Yes. Visit the UK page via “Destinations” on this website for details and requirements. Alternatively, contact us and we will explain the process.
As a UK passport holder, you do not currently need a visa to visit any EU country and to remain for less than 90 days. If travelling for any reason other than tourism or wishing to stay longer than 90 days, you may need a visa.
Yes, as a UK passport holder you will need a visa to travel to most commonwealth countries. Some commonwealth countries such as: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will issue UK passport holders with Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) which will permit entry on production.
If your visa is in the form of a physical stamp or attachment to your passport then we will collect your passport and visa from the consular office and return it in accordance with your instructions; usually by Royal mail special delivery service, courier, or retain at our London office for you to collect in person. Electronic visas (E-Visas) will be sent to you via email. New/replacement passports and USA visas will usually be dispatched to you directly by the issuing authority.
If posting your passport and documents to us, for security we strongly recommend you use the Royal Mail tracked special delivery service. Alternatively, you can visit our London office and deliver the materials in person. We will use dedicated and trusted couriers to transport your passport and documents between our office and the appropriate consular facilities. Once we have obtained your visa and/or passport we will return your property using a means of your choice, usually Royal Mail special delivery, courier, or personal collection from our London office.
While a few countries will issue visas on arrival, this is a particularly uncertain way to gain entry. To securely gain entry, it is advisable to obtain your visa in the UK country ahead of travelling.
No. We show a “best case” turn round period (usually a few days) on this website but this is no guarantee that the issuing authority will respond in this time frame. We therefor strongly recommend that you obtain your visa/passport prior to booking travel and accommodation.
On rare occasions an application may be rejected for an error or omission on the application form or supporting documentation. Usually, the application can be re-submitter once the error or omission is corrected, and the visa is then issued at no additional cost and with just a few days delay.
You will never be required to attend our offices but a few countries such as: USA, China, Nigeria, and Russia, will require you to attend their consular facilities for the purpose of fingerprinting and/or interview. We will tell you if this is the case and arrange your appointment.
What Our Travellers Say
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some happy customers have shared.
“Birch Visas Ltd made getting my India e-Visa a breeze. Highly recommended!”
Sarah, Manchester
“I was worried about my visa, but they sorted it out quickly. Great service!”
Tom, London
"After my DIY application was rejected, their service helped me get approved in no time. Worth every penny!"
