Visa

Question

Hi, my daughter is a UK passport holder so needs a visa to visit. She is traveling for 7 months around south-east asia, Australia and New Zealand, and wants to finish her travels by visiting Beijing where her sister lives.

Is it possible as a UK citizen to get her visa from a visa application service center in either Australia or New Zealand when she doesn't have residency in either country?

Thanks

Paul

Answer

For a UK passport holder, obtaining a Chinese visa while outside the UK is generally possible, but the rules depend on the visa application center’s policies in the country of application. Most Chinese Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC) require applicants to either be residents or have a legal stay in the country where they apply.

Specifically for your daughter’s situation in Australia or New Zealand:

Most CVASCs in Australia and New Zealand typically require applicants to provide proof of residence or a valid visa/permit for the country, such as a work visa, student visa, or residency permit.
Tourists or short-term visitors who do not have a local visa or residency may not be accepted for visa applications in those countries.
Some centers may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, but this is rare and not guaranteed. It is usually recommended to contact the local CVASC directly for confirmation.

Alternative options for your daughter include:

Applying for the Chinese visa from the UK before departure. This is often the most straightforward approach for UK citizens, as she can submit her application at a CVASC in the UK regardless of her travel itinerary.
Applying at the Chinese embassy or consulate in a country where she has legal residency or a long-term visa. For example, if she holds a student or work visa in Australia or New Zealand, she may be eligible to apply there.
Considering e-visa or visa-on-arrival options if her entry point and purpose of travel meet the current Chinese visa policies (though these are limited and often not available for UK passport holders for general travel to Beijing).

Important points to note:

She should ensure her passport is valid for at least six months beyond the planned date of entry into China.
Visa processing times can vary from a few days to a couple of weeks, so planning in advance is crucial.
All visa requirements and allowed application locations are subject to change, so checking the latest information on the official Chinese embassy or consulate websites in the relevant countries is strongly recommended.

In summary, unless your daughter has legal residency or a valid long-term visa in Australia or New Zealand, it is unlikely she will be able to obtain a Chinese visa from a CVASC there. The safest approach is to apply from the UK or from a country where she has legal residence.

Visa

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