This guide covers UK visa requirements for Chinese citizens in 2026, including fees in Chinese Yuan, success rates, and how to apply. China is a visa-national country, so Chinese passport holders need a visa for every UK trip — there is no ETA option. The 6-month Standard Visitor visa costs ¥1,212. Chinese applicants enjoy strong success: a 92% visitor grant rate on over half a million applications, and near-100% for study. China is the UK's second-largest visa market after India.
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026. Fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule.
China remains a visa-national country, so every traveller needs a visa — the ETA does not apply. Fees rose under the 8 April 2026 schedule, with the 6-month visitor visa now ¥1,212 in Chinese Yuan. China keeps an excellent record: visitor 92%, study near 100%, work 95%. The Chinese Visa Scheme still offers mainland applicants a 2-year visa at the 6-month price. Successful applicants now receive a digital eVisa.
- Do Chinese Citizens Need a UK Visa?
- UK Visa Success Rate for Chinese Citizens
- UK Tourist Visa for Chinese Citizens
- Chinese Citizens with a US Green Card
- UK Student Visa from China
- UK Work Visa for Chinese Citizens
- UK Family Visa from China
- How to Apply for a UK Visa from China
- Frequently Asked Questions
UK Visa Requirements for Chinese Citizens 2026
China is a visa-national country, so Chinese citizens must hold a visa before travelling to the UK for any purpose — there is no ETA option, and the visa cannot be skipped because of residence elsewhere. China is the UK's second-largest visa market after India, with over 526,000 visitor applications in the year ending March 2026, and Chinese applicants succeed at high rates across every route, reflecting established documentation standards and strong travel patterns between the two countries.
Yes. China is on the UK's visa-national list, so all Chinese passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling, for any purpose. The 6-month Standard Visitor visa costs ¥1,212. A US Green Card or other foreign residence does not exempt Chinese nationals from this requirement. Chinese applicants enjoy a strong 92% visitor grant rate, with study close to 100% and work at 95%.
UK visa fees for Chinese citizens are charged in Chinese Yuan at the Home Office quarterly exchange rate, paid through VFS Global centres in 15 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The Immigration Health Surcharge applies separately to visas over six months, always in pounds sterling at £1,035 per year, or £776 for students. The full fee schedule follows official Home Office fee tables.
UK Visa Success Rate for Chinese Citizens 2026
Chinese citizens enjoy excellent UK visa approval rates in the year ending March 2026: 92% for visitor visas, close to 100% for study (only 184 refused), 95% for work, and 91% for family. The 92% visitor rate sits well above the global average of around 79%, and China is second only to India in total application volume.
China's grant rates are among the strongest of any high-volume nationality. The 92% visitor rate is notable given the sheer scale — over 526,000 applications — though the 8% refused still means around 43,000 applicants were turned down, so documentation matters. Understanding common refusal reasons and checking the grant rates by nationality helps applicants prepare a strong case.
| Visa Category | Applications | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor | 526,905 | 92% |
| Study | 89,293 | ~100% |
| Work | 5,917 | 95% |
| Family | 971 | 91% |
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026.
UK Tourist Visa for Chinese Citizens 2026
The UK tourist visa for Chinese citizens costs ¥1,212 for 6 months, ¥4,531 for 2 years, ¥8,090 for 5 years, and ¥10,103 for 10 years. Each visit is capped at 180 days. Chinese visitors enjoy a strong 92% approval rate. Under the Chinese Visa Scheme, mainland applicants can get a 2-year visa at the 6-month price.
The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family visits, business, and short courses. Frequent travellers can apply for a long-term visit visa valid for 2, 5, or 10 years. Those visiting relatives should review what a UK sponsor must provide, and applicants should focus on clear financial evidence and ties to China.
| Visa Duration | Fee (CNY) |
|---|---|
| 6 Months (Standard) | ¥1,212 |
| 2 Years | ¥4,531 |
| 5 Years | ¥8,090 |
| 10 Years | ¥10,103 |
| Chinese Tour Group (ADS) | ¥1,212 |
Under the Chinese Visa Scheme, Chinese nationals applying in mainland China can get a 2-year multiple-entry visitor visa for ¥1,212 — the same price as a standard 6-month visa. The scheme is unique to Chinese applicants and is offered automatically when applying from mainland China, making it exceptional value for anyone planning more than one UK trip.
UK Visa for Chinese Citizens with a US Green Card 2026
Chinese citizens holding a US Green Card still need a UK visitor visa — a Green Card does not exempt them, because the UK assesses entry on passport nationality, not residence. However, applying from the US can strengthen the case: established residence, employment, and finances all evidence strong ties. Apply through VFS Global in the US, where fees are charged in US Dollars.
This is the most misunderstood point for Chinese nationals living in America. The Green Card itself does not change the requirement, but US residence works in your favour by demonstrating a clear reason to return after the visit. Apply in your country of residence, not by nationality alone — so a Chinese citizen living in the US applies there, with fees in US Dollars, and the case is assessed on US circumstances. Anyone previously refused should review our guide to reapplying after a refusal.
UK Student Visa from China 2026
The UK Student visa from China costs ¥4,695, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor is required. China ranks second globally for UK study, with around 89,000 applications and a near-100% grant rate — only 184 refused.
China is one of the two largest sources of UK university students. The UK Student visa needs a CAS, the English language requirement, and maintenance funds of £1,483 per month for London or £1,136 elsewhere. Graduates can use the Graduate Route for two years of post-study work after completing their course.
UK Work Visa for Chinese Citizens 2026
The Skilled Worker visa from China costs ¥7,338 for up to 3 years, or ¥14,497 for longer. Applicants need a graduate-level job, a £41,700 minimum salary, and a sponsoring UK employer. China enjoys a 95% work visa grant rate. Health and Care Worker visas are cheaper at ¥2,903 and exempt from the health surcharge.
The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for Chinese professionals, needing a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer and a salary meeting the going rate in the Home Office eligible occupations list. Healthcare professionals use the lower-fee Health and Care Worker route.
| Work Visa Type | Fee (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | ¥7,338 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | ¥14,497 |
| Health and Care Worker (≤3 years) | ¥2,903 |
| Global Talent (with approval) | ¥6,863 |
UK Family Visa from China 2026
The UK Spouse visa from China costs ¥18,493 and requires the UK sponsor to earn at least £29,000 a year. The initial visa runs for 33 months, with a pathway to settlement after five years. China has a 91% family visa grant rate. Processing takes up to 12 weeks, or about 6 weeks with priority service.
The UK Spouse visa lets Chinese nationals join a British or settled partner under Appendix FM, leading to settlement after five years. The sponsor must meet the £29,000 income requirement, in place since April 2024; a previously announced rise to £38,700 remains paused pending review, so no increase has taken effect.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from China
Chinese citizens apply online at gov.uk, pay in Chinese Yuan, and give biometrics at a VFS Global centre. The process is the same one used across the wider region, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Begin at gov.uk.
- 1. Complete the online application on gov.uk and select China.
- 2. Pay the visa fee in Chinese Yuan, plus the health surcharge if applicable.
- 3. Book your appointment at a VFS Global centre in one of 15 cities.
- 4. Attend and give biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph.
- 5. Submit supporting documents at the centre or online.
- 6. Access your eVisa through your UKVI account once approved.
Standard decisions take around 3 weeks, with settlement and family cases up to 12 weeks; the priority visa service can shorten non-settlement decisions. Our guide to processing times after biometrics explains the timelines once you have attended your appointment. Required paperwork is set out in our supporting documents checklist.
- China is visa-national — a visa is required for every trip, no ETA.
- 6-month Visitor visa: ¥1,212; long-term up to ¥10,103 for 10 years.
- Visitor grant rate 92% on 526,905 applications — the UK's #2 market.
- Chinese Visa Scheme: 2-year visa at the 6-month price from mainland China.
- Student visa ¥4,695 with a near-100% grant rate; work 95%.
- A US Green Card does not exempt Chinese nationals from a UK visa.
- Fees paid in Chinese Yuan; biometrics at VFS Global in 15 cities.
Yes. China is on the UK's visa-national list, so all Chinese passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling, whatever the purpose — there is no ETA option. The 6-month Standard Visitor visa costs ¥1,212. A US Green Card or other foreign residence does not exempt Chinese nationals from this requirement. Chinese applicants enjoy a strong 92% visitor grant rate, with study close to 100% and work at 95%.
UK visa fees from China in 2026: 6-month visitor ¥1,212, 2-year visitor ¥4,531, 10-year visitor ¥10,103, student ¥4,695, Skilled Worker ¥7,338 for up to 3 years, and spouse ¥18,493. Fees are paid in Chinese Yuan. Under the Chinese Visa Scheme, mainland applicants get a 2-year visa for ¥1,212. Work, study, and family visas also require the health surcharge in pounds at £1,035 per year, or £776 for students.
In the year ending March 2026, the Chinese visitor visa grant rate was 92% — of 526,905 applications, 487,108 were granted. Other routes were even stronger: study close to 100% on around 89,000 applications (only 184 refused), work 95%, and family 91%. China is the UK's second-largest visa market after India, and its grant rates sit well above the global visitor average of about 79%.
Yes. A US Green Card does not exempt Chinese nationals from needing a UK visa, because the UK assesses entry on passport nationality, not residence. Chinese citizens living in the US still need a visitor visa, but should apply from the US, where fees are charged in US Dollars. US residence, employment, and finances strengthen the application by evidencing strong ties and a clear reason to return.
The Chinese Visa Scheme lets Chinese nationals applying in mainland China get a 2-year multiple-entry visitor visa for ¥1,212 — the same price as a standard 6-month visa. It is unique to Chinese applicants and offered automatically when applying from mainland China. Each visit is still capped at 180 days, but the scheme is excellent value for anyone making more than one UK trip over two years.
Standard processing from China is around 3 weeks for visitor, student, and work visas, and up to 12 weeks for settlement and family visas. The priority service returns a non-settlement decision in about 5 working days where offered, and super priority the next working day. These timelines run from your biometrics appointment at a VFS Global centre, not from the online submission.
UK visa applications from China are processed through VFS Global centres in 15 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Shenzhen. You apply online at gov.uk, pay in Chinese Yuan, then book a biometrics appointment at your nearest centre. Once a decision is made, successful applicants receive a digital eVisa through their UKVI account rather than a passport sticker.