China travel advice

From 08 January China will open its borders to foreign travellers.

From 29 April 2023, China has changed its COVID-19 entry requirements for all travellers entering the country. You must undertake a lateral flow/rapid antigen test 48 hours before boarding your flight. You must declare your negative test result by filling in the Health Declaration Form via the China Customs website, or through the China Customs App or WeChat account. Airline officials will no longer check test results. However, upon arrival in China your test result may be checked by officials at customs.

ExpressTest offer tests for travel to China and have test centres in a variety of locations including Terminal 3 at London Heathrow. Click here to book a test slot.

Upon arrival, you will no longer be required to quarantine. If you display any Covid-19 symptoms upon arrival you may be asked to take an antigen Covid-19 test, any customer who tests positive from this test will either be advised to self-quarantine or seek treatment from a medical institution.

Non-nationals still require a visa to enter mainland China

If you need a Chinese visa, we can help. We've partnered with VisaCentral, the global visa and passport experts. They can apply on your behalf for a fee. And if you're a Flying Club member, you'll also earn two points for every £1 you spend.

Apply for your visa now

You can also apply for your visa through the Chinese Embassy in London:

Chinese Embassy

Tel: 020 7299 4049

Opening hours Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 12:00; 14:00 - 17:00

Pre-departure tests

From 08 January China will open its borders to foreign travellers.

From 29 April 2023, China has changed its COVID-19 entry requirements for all travellers entering the country. You must undertake a lateral flow/rapid antigen test 48 hours before boarding your flight. You must declare your negative test result by filling in the Health Declaration Form via the China Customs website, or through the China Customs App or WeChat account. Airline officials will no longer check test results. However, upon arrival in China your test result may be checked by officials at customs.

ExpressTest offer tests for travel to China and have test centres in a variety of locations including Terminal 3 at London Heathrow. Click here to book a test slot.

Upon arrival you will no longer be required to quarantine. If you display any Covid-19 symptoms upon arrival you may be asked to take an antigen Covid-19 test, any customer who tests positive from this test will either be advised to self-quarantine or to seek treatment from a medical institution. 

Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.

Visa

China's entry requirements differ, depending on your nationality and the reason for your visit. If you're not a Chinese national, you will usually need a visa to enter the country, which you should get before you travel

If you're staying for less than 6 days, you may not need a visa.

For more information and advice, contact the Chinese Embassy.

Apply for a Chinese visa

If you need a Chinese visa, we can help. We've partnered with VisaCentral, the global visa and passport experts. They can apply on your behalf for a fee. And if you're a Flying Club member, you'll also earn two miles for every £1 you spend.

Apply for your visa now

You can also apply for your visa through the Chinese Embassy in London:

Chinese Embassy

Tel: 020 7299 4049

Opening hours Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 12:00; 14:00 - 17:00

Visa exemptions for shorter visits

If you're due to leave China to travel to another country within 6 days of your arrival, you might not need a visa. You'll be allowed to stay within the administrative precincts of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province for up to 144 hours.

On arrival in China, you'll need to show valid onward travel documents to the immigration officer, confirming your planned departure within this time period.

You need to be a resident of one of the following countries to be eligible for an exemption:

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America

Find out more from the Chinese Embassy.

Information for UK passport holders

If you are a UK passport holder visiting China, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your visa application. If you have less than 6 months’ validity on your passport, but still have a valid visa, you should be able to enter China for the duration of that visa.

This guidance is for UK passport holders only. Passengers from other countries should check with the necessary Government department in their country of residence for travel information.

Foreign visitors aged between 14 and 70 will have bio-information such as fingerprints collected upon arrival

Pre-departure tests

From 08 January China will open its borders to foreign travellers.

From 29 April 2023, China has changed its COVID-19 entry requirements for all travellers entering the country. You must undertake a lateral flow/rapid antigen test 48 hours before boarding your flight. You must declare your negative test result by filling in the Health Declaration Form via the China Customs website, or through the China Customs App or WeChat account. Airline officials will no longer check test results. However, upon arrival in China your test result may be checked by officials at customs.

ExpressTest offer tests for travel to China and have test centres in a variety of locations including Terminal 3 at London Heathrow. Click here to book a test slot.

Upon arrival you will no longer be required to quarantine. If you display any Covid-19 symptoms upon arrival you may be asked to take an antigen Covid-19 test, any customer who tests positive from this test will either be advised to self-quarantine or to seek treatment from a medical institution. 

Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.

Visa

China's entry requirements differ, depending on your nationality and the reason for your visit. If you're not a Chinese national, you will usually need a visa to enter the country, which you should get before you travel

If you're staying for less than 6 days, you may not need a visa.

For more information and advice, contact the Chinese Embassy.

Apply for a Chinese visa

If you need a Chinese visa, we can help. We've partnered with VisaCentral, the global visa and passport experts. They can apply on your behalf for a fee. And if you're a Flying Club member, you'll also earn two miles for every £1 you spend.

Apply for your visa now

You can also apply for your visa through the Chinese Embassy in London:

Chinese Embassy

Tel: 020 7299 4049

Opening hours Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 12:00; 14:00 - 17:00

Visa exemptions for shorter visits

If you're due to leave China to travel to another country within 6 days of your arrival, you might not need a visa. You'll be allowed to stay within the administrative precincts of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province for up to 144 hours.

On arrival in China, you'll need to show valid onward travel documents to the immigration officer, confirming your planned departure within this time period.

You need to be a resident of one of the following countries to be eligible for an exemption:

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America

Find out more from the Chinese Embassy.

Information for UK passport holders

If you are a UK passport holder visiting China, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your visa application. If you have less than 6 months’ validity on your passport, but still have a valid visa, you should be able to enter China for the duration of that visa.

This guidance is for UK passport holders only. Passengers from other countries should check with the necessary Government department in their country of residence for travel information.

Foreign visitors aged between 14 and 70 will have bio-information such as fingerprints collected upon arrival

It’s now your personal choice whether to wear a facemask onboard, and they’re available for anyone wishing to wear one during the flight. Face masks are reccommended but not required in the terminal in Shanghai, and health packs containing masks will be handed out at the gate at London Heathrow.