Skip to content

Sim Login

Two-year visit visa for Chinese nationals launched!

A two-year visitor visa scheme for Chinese nationals was launched on 11 January 2016.

The new visit visa costs the same amount as a current six month visit visa (£85), but is four times longer in duration, granting Chinese visitors to the UK better value for their money.

The new scheme:

  • Enables Chinese visitors to make multiple trips to the UK over a longer period of time;
  • Provides eligible Chinese nationals with value for money and a better visa deal than the standard Schengen visitor visa which is limited to a maximum of 90 days; and
  • Enables British visitors to China to benefit from the same visa arrangement.

To be eligible for this visa you must be coming to the UK for tourism or business purposes (such as attending a conference or investigating setting up a business).

The UK government is also planning to improve the UK visa application process for Chinese nationals by extending its mobile fingerprinting service, which captures the biometrics needed for application, from nine to 50 Chinese cities.

Plans to expand the existing network of UK Visa Application Centres in China are also being discussed.

Equally, the rising number of British citizens visiting China will find that they too will benefit from this scheme, as the Chinese government has reduced its two-year visit visa fee to the equivalent of £85 and, for the first time, is matching the UK’s offer of a 10-year visitor visa.

More on this topic:

Extended visitor visas for Chinese tourists

Visitors the the UK – beware new NHS regulations

Improved UK visa application services for the East


Insight magazine

Insight magazine

Exceptionally efficient and seamless delivery of services. Very friendly and helpful Consultants.

MG, Law Firm

The whole team were the epitome of professionalism throughout the process. I would not hesitate to recommend Smith Stone Walters and have already done so.

NG, Healthcare Company

A big thanks to SSW for their support and guidance, it has been a pleasure working with them on my case.

LA, Private client

Super professional and responsive!

RM, Private Client

Top notch experience. Thank you for your incredible promptness and patience in answering all the queries.

AK, Technology Company

The team is outstandingly helpful, incredibly professional, exceptionally efficient, and impressively proactive. Their dedication and commitment are truly commendable.

JK, Accounting Company

A very pleasant and clear process with Smith Stone Walters. The team were always responsive, helpful, and positive.

WS, Software company
Thank
you
We’ll be in touch shortly!