Visa application in U.K. experience

Question

I thought I would share my visa experience

from the U.K. I am travelling for 20 days in China.

I went to get my tourist (L) visa from Edinburgh this monthand it was really efficient and smooth. I am travelling in less than a month.

I went before 9am on a Friday morning and there were only two people ahead of me. Another lady said her friend had to wait 3 hours for her to see someone on a previous day. You don’t make an appointment. You can take a number when you go in. Go early - they actually saw us at 8.55am and it was over in 20 mins for two visas.

I had an invitation letter form which the Edinburgh website has online. I am taking my 13 year old daughter.

For me, I had a;

- invitation letter

- declaration form

- visa form filled out online and printed in colour.

- Passport (and photocopy)

- birth certificate (original and photocopy).

- I had copies of my travel itinerary of hotels and travel (not taken)

- I did have a payment form completed for each visa in advance but this wasn’t used as I made the total payment that day

- I had a note of my visa application numbers but this wasn’t asked for.

The Chinese visa photograph needs a specific photo style so when getting your picture taken, say to the person taking the photo. My daughter’s U.K. passport photo couldn’t be uploaded so she got a new one with hair behind her ears/ shoulders and less white space above her head. I only needed a digital photo (but took physical photos just in case). This cost me £14.

Travel itinerary - I had booked hotels on Trip and it only had my name on it (not my daughter who is under 14). My hotel/ transport info was not looked at or asked for. I think this was because I had an invitation letter. I had a copy for each of us ready to give. I had put all my travel itinerary onto my visa form but when it printed, it didn’t show it all. This was fine.

My daughter came with me. I am traveling to China without my daughter’s dad and I had to have a few extra documents.

- Declaration form

- Visa form (I signed it on behalf of my daughter at the embassy)

- Invitation letter

- birth certificate original and copy

- Permission letter (this is on the Edinburgh website) allowing a minor to get a Chinese visa (signed by both parents)

- I made an extra letter stating permission to travel and receive medical care with child’s name, passport details of child/ parents, date of birth, address, travel itinerary (including flight numbers, hotel names/addresses and dates) which was signed by both parents. I found some examples online.

- Parents Passport (and copies)

- Parents birth certificate (originals and copies)

- Payment form (not needed)

- Visa application number (not asked for)

Visa form - there are three places to sign on the form. I signed for my daughter and was told to write her name in capital letters on the first page.

Security- my photo and fingerprints were taken. My daughter’s wasn’t (she is under 14).

Payment

I was asked if I wanted to have my visa sent to me or if I wanted to pick it up. Also if I wanted express and I asked for whatever is cheapest. I had read it can take 2 to 3 weeks to get it posted to you and knew it normally only takes less than a week to pick up. I paid £130 on my card for each visa. My visa was ready to collect 5 days later and I was given a special receipt that I must use to collect my visa and my U.K. passports. You can use any card as it is just a normal payment machine that is used.

I am also exiting China to travel to Japan, returning to China to exit the country. I confirmed I would need a 2 entry point visa. I was told I would be given a two year visa and I was.

I hope this helps. I found I was photocopying lots and had to be quite organised. I brought a folder for each of us, with a separate one for passports and original birth certificates so they could be accessed easily for both visas.

When picking up my visa this was quicker and my passport was stamped with my visa. I was

told to check this carefully (dates, name and passport number).

I hope this helps with anyone travelling to China in the future.

Answer

Applying for a Chinese tourist visa from the U.K. can be straightforward and efficient if you are well-prepared. Based on a recent experience from Edinburgh, the process was smooth and completed in less than 20 minutes per applicant when arriving early in the morning. Appointments are not required; applicants take a number upon arrival.

For a standard tourist (L) visa, the following documents are typically required:

Invitation letter (if applicable)
Declaration form
Visa application form filled online and printed in color
Passport (original and photocopy)
Birth certificate (original and photocopy)
Travel itinerary of hotels and transport (copies recommended)
Payment form completed in advance (may not be needed if paying at the embassy)
Visa application number (optional)
Digital photograph following the required specifications for Chinese visa photos

For minors traveling without one or both parents, additional documentation is required:

Declaration form for the minor
Visa application form signed by accompanying adult on behalf of the child
Invitation letter if applicable
Original and copy of child’s birth certificate
Permission letter signed by both parents authorizing the minor to obtain a Chinese visa
Extra letter detailing permission to travel, receive medical care, and containing child’s and parents’ details, signed by both parents
Copies of parents’ passports and birth certificates

Visa application procedure at the embassy:

Security: applicant’s photo and fingerprints are taken; minors under 14 may be exempt from fingerprinting
Payment: typically around £130 per visa, can be paid by card at the embassy
Choice of visa delivery: postal or in-person collection; express collection is available
Check visa carefully upon receipt for correct dates, name, and passport number

Additional tips and observations:

Organize all documents in separate folders for each traveler, keeping originals and copies accessible
Ensure minor’s documents are complete, including travel consent from both parents
Two-entry visas can be requested if exiting China temporarily during the trip
Photos for children may require adjustments (e.g., hair behind ears, correct white space)
Early arrival at the embassy helps avoid long waits

Overall, careful preparation and organization can make the process quick and stress-free, even when traveling with children or requiring multiple entries. Collecting the visa in-person can be faster than postal delivery, and the embassy staff provide guidance on minor-specific documentation and payment procedures.

Visa application in U.K. experience

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