Visa question

Question

I am planning going to Beijing from the Uk only for 3 Nights ( I hold a British Passport) Then fly to Tokyo for 1 week , then back to Beijing for 1 night then flight home to UK

Do I need a standard visa or multiple, as I’m

Flying back into china. Just a bit confused with the visa process any help would be appreciated

Answer

Short answer: you don’t necessarily have to get a multiple-entry visa — but relying on China’s transit-visa exemptions is a bit risky and conditional. The safest, simplest option is to apply for a double-entry (or multiple-entry) tourist (L) visa so you can enter China, leave for Japan, then re-enter without any uncertainty. Below I explain both approaches, what the rules require, and my practical recommendation.

1) Use China’s visa-free transit (what might let you avoid a visa)

China currently offers a long-stay visa-free transit policy (commonly called the 240-hour / 10-day transit) for citizens of many countries including the United Kingdom. To use it you must have a confirmed onward ticket to a *third country* (i.e. not back to your origin) with a confirmed date & seat, and enter/exit via a port that participates in this policy (Beijing is included among the designated ports).
Applied to your plan: UK → Beijing → Tokyo → Beijing → UK — the first Beijing visit (from UK, onward to Japan) qualifies as transit to a third country (Japan) and could be covered by the 240-hour transit exemption if you meet the ticket/port requirements. The second Beijing entry (from Japan onward to UK) is also a transit to a third country (UK) and *may* again be covered in the same way, provided you again meet the requirements and enter via an eligible port.
Important caveats: the transit exemption is implemented at immigration’s discretion. You must have confirmed onward tickets, you must stay within any geographic limits (some transit policies restrict which provinces/cities you may visit), and you must be prepared for officials to refuse the exemption and require a visa. Border rules and permitted ports have changed several times recently, so confirmation with the embassy/immigration is advisable before relying on it.

2) Get a double-entry or multiple-entry tourist visa (the safer route)

A standard Chinese tourist (L) visa can be issued as single-, double- or multiple-entry. If you will definitely re-enter China during the same trip, a double-entry tourist visa covers both entries and removes all uncertainty. The embassy/visa centre in the UK can issue this when you apply.
Note: UK passport holders are also among nationalities eligible for longer/multiple-entry tourist visas (10-year multiple entries have been offered to some nationalities) — you can ask for a multiple entry visa if you prefer more flexibility. Requirements and issuing practice may vary, so check the UK visa-for-China centre guidance when you apply.
Documents typically required: completed online application, passport (with blank pages and sufficient validity), photo, flight bookings (inbound + outbound), hotel bookings or itinerary, and the usual supporting documents your local visa centre lists. If you request multiple entries, make sure your passport has at least two blank facing visa pages.

3) Practical pros & cons

Rely on 240-hour transit (no visa): Pros — no visa fee or application time. Cons — conditional on having suitable onward tickets and on immigration officer discretion; if refused you could be delayed or asked to obtain a visa.
Apply for double-entry / multiple-entry visa: Pros — certainty and peace of mind (recommended if your schedule is tight or you can’t risk denial). Cons — time & cost to apply (but usually straightforward from the UK via the visa application centre).

4) My recommendation

If you want simplicity and absolute certainty (recommended): apply for a double-entry tourist (L) visa — or request a multiple-entry visa if you prefer extra flexibility. That ensures smooth re-entry after your Japan stop.
If you prefer to try to avoid a visa: confirm that your Beijing arrival/departure airports are included in the current 240-hour transit scheme, make sure you already have confirmed tickets Beijing→Tokyo and Tokyo→Beijing (with seats/dates), and phone/email the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre / embassy in the UK to confirm they will accept your particular plan without a visa. Don’t rely solely on forum advice — check official guidance.

5) If you want, I can do this for you now:

Draft a short checklist of documents you’ll need to apply for a double-entry visa from the UK (forms, photos, example bookings), or
Draft a concise message you can send to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre / embassy to confirm whether your exact itinerary is eligible for the 240-hour transit exemption (I can include the necessary details you should supply: flight numbers, dates, ports of entry/exit).

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