British citizen , 17 years old, visa for china?

Question

My son and I will be travelling to China 2 weeks later and can we get visa at arrival to china?

Or how do we get visa?

Thanks

Answer

For British citizens, including minors, a visa is generally required to enter China. China does not offer a standard “visa on arrival” for UK passport holders at most ports of entry, except for some limited transit situations (e.g., 24/72/144-hour transit in certain cities) and only if specific conditions are met.

Here are the main options:

Standard tourist (L) visa: You need to apply in advance at a Chinese embassy or consulate. This applies to both you and your 17-year-old son. You will need a valid passport, completed application forms, recent passport-size photos, and an itinerary.
Transit Visa Exemption: If you are only transiting through certain Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.) and staying less than 24, 72, or 144 hours depending on the city, you may not need a visa. However, this is only valid if you have confirmed onward tickets to a third country and meet the transit conditions. Note that this exemption usually does not cover sightseeing outside the city or province.

Practical steps for a British citizen traveling in two weeks:

Check if your itinerary qualifies for a transit visa exemption. If not, you must apply for a visa urgently at the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy.
Visa applications for minors usually require additional documents such as a parental consent form and proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificate).
If you are short on time, some visa agencies offer expedited services for a fee.

Important note: Arriving in China without a valid visa (except for eligible transit exemptions) will almost certainly result in being denied entry.