United Kingdom · China visa services
China visa services in the UK
6 agencies in 4 cities name China on their own websites
UK passport holders can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. For a visa you apply online first and hand in the passport at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center only after approval; its terms accept applications from travel agencies, while the Embassy says it has never authorised any intermediary. 6 agencies on our UK list name China on their own websites.
UK passport holders don't need a visa for short trips until 31 December 2026. “From 00:00 on February 17, 2026 to 24:00 on December 31, 2026 (Beijing time), ordinary passport holders from the UK and Canada can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.” Chinese Embassy in the UK · read 1 Nov 2026
Most verified first. Up to six checks: the website names the business · address on its own site · phone on its own site · licence in the official register · prices published with a date · checked in the last 90 days. The register check doesn't count for solicitors and agencies that list only visas for trips abroad. Ties A–Z. How the order works
| Agency | What its website says | Contact | Checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get VisasEdinburgh | “… advice for USA, Canada, Schengen, India, China, and many other destinations.”getvisas.co.uk · 31 Oct 2026 | +44 7858 106 776WhatsApp | 5/6 checks |
| China Visa ServicesManchester | “Chinese Visa Hotline: 0161 236 8018 / 07772 726456”chinavisaservices.co.uk · 1 Nov 2026 | +44 161 236 8018 | 4/5 checks |
| CIBTvisasLondon | Lists China among 8 destinations on its websitecibtvisas.co.uk · 3 Nov 2026 | +44 844 800 4650 | 4/5 checks |
| Scott's VisasLondon | Lists China among 5 destinations on its websitescottsvisas.co.uk · 3 Nov 2026 | +44 20 7554 3717 | 4/5 checks |
| The Travel Visa CompanyNantwich | Lists China among 5 destinations on its websitethetravelvisacompany.co.uk · 3 Nov 2026 | +44 1270 904 907 | 4/5 checks |
| Travcour Visa & Legalisation ServicesLondon | “Tourist, business and special visas to India, China, Russia or wherever you need”travcour-vls.com · 1 Nov 2026 | +44 7939 536951 | 4/5 checks |
What the Embassy and the visa centre say about agencies
- No authorised intermediaries. “The Embassy has never authorised any intermediary agencies or individuals to handle any types of consular document services on its behalf.” Chinese Embassy in the UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Claims of authorisation are false. “Any claims by intermediary agencies or individuals that they are authorised by the Embassy to process consular documents, or that paying an intermediary fee will allow you to use the Green Channel or be exempt from fingerprint collection, are false information.” Chinese Embassy in the UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Agencies may hand in applications. The visa centre's terms define its clients as the applicant or a third party the applicant authorises, including travel agencies. Chinese Visa Application Service Center · read 1 Nov 2026
- Its own windows for travel agencies. The visa centre says “special windows are also provided for travel agencies and physically challenged applicants”. Chinese Visa Application Service Center · read 1 Nov 2026
- The centre doesn't decide. The visa centre is a commercial company recognised by the Embassy, independent of it, and takes no part in visa decisions. Chinese Visa Application Service Center · read 1 Nov 2026
We found no list of travel agencies registered with or accredited by the Chinese visa centres in the UK.
How you apply
- Apply online first
Since 31 March 2025 the form and documents are submitted online first; the passport goes to the visa centre only after online approval. Chinese Visa Application Service Center · read 1 Nov 2026
- Use the centre where you live
“If you hold an ordinary passport, you should submit your application at the Visa Centre in the country where you lawfully reside.” Chinese Visa Application Service Center · read 1 Nov 2026
- Hand in the passport, or post it
“You may choose to have your passport sent to the Visa Centre by post.” Chinese Visa Application Service Center · read 1 Nov 2026
- Pay the visa fee and the centre's fee
“Total charge of an individual visa application = Visa fee + Service fee（ charged by Chinese Visa Application Service Center）+ Express fee(if you need express service)” Chinese Embassy in the UK · read 1 Nov 2026
From 17 December 2025 to 31 December 2026 the Embassy waives fingerprints for short-term visa applicants staying up to 180 days (not for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas). (Chinese Visa Application Service Center · read 1 Nov 2026)
FAQ
Do I need a visa for China from the UK?
Not for a short trip on a UK ordinary passport until 31 December 2026. The Chinese Embassy: “From 00:00 on February 17, 2026 to 24:00 on December 31, 2026 (Beijing time), ordinary passport holders from the UK and Canada can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.”
Can a travel agency apply for my China visa in the UK?
The visa centre's terms count travel agencies among its clients, and it says it has special windows for them. The Embassy itself says it has never authorised any intermediary to handle consular documents on its behalf.
Is the Chinese Visa Application Service Center an agency?
No. The visa centre is a commercial company recognised by the Embassy, independent of it, and takes no part in visa decisions.
How much does a China visa cost in the UK?
The Embassy: “Total charge of an individual visa application = Visa fee + Service fee（ charged by Chinese Visa Application Service Center）+ Express fee(if you need express service)” The amounts are on our page about the visa centre. An agency's own fee comes on top.
Do I still give fingerprints for a China visa?
From 17 December 2025 to 31 December 2026 the Embassy waives fingerprints for short-term visa applicants staying up to 180 days (not for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas).
Which agencies in the UK handle Chinese visas?
6 on our list name China on their own websites: Get Visas, China Visa Services, CIBTvisas, Scott's Visas, The Travel Visa Company and Travcour Visa & Legalisation Services. The table shows what each one says; it is not a ranking.
Sources and method. An agency appears here when its own website names China among the visas it handles; its quote links to the page we read (3 Nov 2026). The rules come from the Chinese Embassy in London and the Chinese Visa Application Service Center's own pages, read 1 Nov 2026. We found no list of agencies to match against, so no agency carries a list mark. Order: most verified first, ties A–Z; not a ranking. Report a change.
Related
Visa agencies and immigration advisers in the UK59London15Manchester8Check an immigration adviser in the UKChinese visa centres in the UK