The China journalist visa is for foreign journalists: J1 for resident correspondents and J2 for short reporting trips. Journalists can’t report on a tourist or business visa, so we prepare your China journalist visa application properly.
Tick them off. Most people have everything on their phone already.
0 of 4 ready
Start China journalist visa application Takes about 10 minutes. Your answers are saved as you go.Short trips to cover news (J2).
Being based in China for your organisation (J1).
Crew travelling with journalists.
| Document | Details | Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Your original passport, valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, with at least 2 blank visa pages, plus a copy of the photo page. | Required |
| Photo | One recent colour photo, 33 × 48 mm, on a plain white background, no glasses, face and ears clearly visible. We check it before your appointment. | Required |
| Online application form | The official Chinese visa application form, completed and printed with its confirmation page. | We prepare |
| Visa notification letter | Issued by the Chinese authorities for your reporting trip or posting. | Required |
| Media organisation letter | Confirming your role and assignment. | Required |
| UK residence status | If you’re not a British citizen: your UK visa, BRP or eVisa share code page showing you live here legally. | If applicable |
Upload them from your phone. We check every document and resize it to the official limits before we submit.
All documents must be in English or Chinese. Upload them from your phone and we check every one before your appointment.
Answer a few questions and upload your passport, photo and documents.
We complete the official form, check every document and book your appointment.
Hand in your passport and give fingerprints in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Your passport comes back with the visa inside, usually within 3 to 4 working days.
Chinese visas are submitted at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. In the UK there are centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. We complete your form and book your appointment, and you attend to hand in your passport and give fingerprints.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you enter China and have at least two blank visa pages. If yours is close to expiry, renew it first.
This visa lets you enter China. To stay longer, you apply for a residence permit at the local public security bureau, usually within 30 days of arriving.
Journalist applications need approval from the Chinese authorities before the visa application, so start well before your trip.
We handle China visas for companies of every size, from one-off trips to regular travellers.
The embassy fee and our service fee, shown separately, so you always know where your money goes.
| Visa | Processing time | Entries | Embassy fee | Our fee | Total you pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard serviceJournalist (J1 or J2) visa | Usually 4 working days | Single entry | £151 | £150 | £301 |
| Express serviceJournalist (J1 or J2) visa | Usually 3 working days | Single entry | £182 | £175 | £357 |
Embassy fees shown are those charged by the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre to British passport holders, and may differ for other nationalities. They aren’t refundable, even if the visa is refused. Our fee is per person and includes checking your documents, completing the online form and booking your appointment.
Need it quickly? Choose express service when you apply. Tell us your travel date and we’ll tell you the latest day to submit.
Both need a visa notification from the Chinese authorities, arranged through the relevant press office.
No. Journalism needs a China journalist visa, even for a short trip.
Through the Chinese authorities’ press arrangements, usually via your organisation. We then prepare your application.
The visa centre usually processes standard applications in 4 working days and express applications in 3 working days, after your appointment. Allow extra time to prepare and book the appointment.
Yes. Most applicants aged 14 to 70 must attend in person to give fingerprints. We prepare everything and book the appointment, so your visit is quick.
Start online in about 10 minutes, or call us if you’d rather talk first.