A1.48 Chinese Tour Groups Visiting the UK
Under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) agreement, Chinese citizens can visit the UK for up to 30 days as part of a tour group.
To qualify for this visa, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Be a Chinese citizen.
Travel in a group: You must enter the UK as a member of a tour group with a minimum of 5 people.
Stay with the group for the entire visit: You must remain with the tour group for the whole duration of your stay in the UK and must not leave the group.
Use an authorised travel agency: The tour must be organised by a Chinese travel operator holding an ADS licence.
Length of stay: Maximum of 30 days.
Visa expiry: You must leave the UK when your ADS visa expires.
No extension allowed: This visa cannot be extended.
Complete the online form: You need to fill out the ADS visitor application form online.
Group appointment arranged by the travel agency: Your travel agent will book a collective appointment for the entire tour group at a visa application centre in China.
Appointment timing: The appointment will usually be scheduled at least 3 weeks before departure.
Before the appointment date, you need to provide the following documents to your travel agent:
Your current passport or travel document.
Your previous passports or travel documents (if any).
Evidence of your current employment or studies.
Your passport must have at least one blank page for the visa sticker to be affixed.
At the visa application centre, you will be required to provide your fingerprints and have your photograph taken (biometric information collection).
You need to pay the visa fee directly to your travel agent, who will then make a single payment for the entire group