Visit the UK in a Chinese tour group

You can come to the UK for up to 30 days as part of a tour group through the approved destination status agreement (ADS) if you’re a Chinese citizen.

To qualify you must enter the country as part of your tour group (minimum 5 people) and stay with the group for the whole of your visit.

Your tour must be organised by an ADS licensed Chinese tour operator.

You must leave the UK when your ADS visa expires. You cannot extend this visa.

Fill in the ADS visitor application form online to apply.

Your agent will then arrange an appointment for the whole tour group at a visa approval centre in China. This will usually happen at least 3 weeks before departure.

Before the appointment date you need to give your agent:

  • your current travel document or passport
  • your previous passports or travel documents
  • evidence of your current employment or studies

You must have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa.

The appointment includes taking your fingerprints and photo (biometric information).

You should pay the visa fee directly to your travel agent, who will pay for the whole group.

Part of Visit the UK for a holiday or to see family or friends

  1. Step 1 Check if you’re eligible

    1. Find out what you can do when you visit the UK

    You must meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements even if you do not need a visa.

  2. Step 2 Check if you need a visa

    Depending on the country you're from, you might be able to visit the UK without a visa or by applying for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

    1. Check if you need a visa or an ETA to come to the UK

  3. Step 3 Apply for a visa

    1. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

    A Standard Visitor visa costs £115 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

    There's a different way to apply if:

  4. or Apply for an electronic travel authorisation

    1. Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

    An ETA costs £10 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

  5. or Apply for a family permit

    You may be able to visit on a family permit if you have a family member who is:

    • a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
    • a Person of Northern Ireland
    • a British citizen
    1. Check if you can apply for a family permit

  6. Step 4 Check what you can bring with you

    1. Check what you can bring with you
    2. Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

  7. Step 5 Check what you need to show at the UK border

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border