The British Consulate-General in Shanghai represents the UK government in China.

Find out more on our UK and China news page. We provide services to British nationals living in and visiting China. You can access UK government services while in China.

Our work covers a range of issues including increasing mutual economic prosperity, climate change and energy, establishing stronger people-to-people ties and supporting British nationals in China.

Urgent assistance

If you’re travelling in China, see our China travel advice.

If you’re in Shanghai City, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province or Anhui Province and you need advice which is not covered in our travel advice, you can contact us online.

If you’re in Shanghai City, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province or Anhui Province and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +86 (0) 21 3279 2000. If you’re in the UK and worried about a British person in China, call 020 7008 5000 (24/7, 365 days a year).

Get an emergency travel document

You can apply for an emergency travel document (ETD) if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you cannot get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

Before you can leave China with an ETD you will need to obtain an Exit Visa from your local Public Security Bureau’s (PSB) Entry & Exit Division. This may take up to 10 working days. Consular staff can direct you to the nearest PSB.

Note that we cannot issue ETDs if requested for the following reasons:

  • you wish to renew your Chinese residence permit – ETDs are for travel purposes only
  • your normal passport is with the local PSB to renew your Chinese residence permit – the Chinese authorities will not permit you to hold more than one visa at the same time

Apply online for an emergency travel document.

If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

If you are travelling in more than 3 weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

If you are not a British citizen or have not had a British passport before

If you’re not sure, check if you’re a British citizen

If you’re not a British citizen but think you may be eligible, contact us to apply for an emergency travel document.

Other consular services

Notarial and documentary services

We may be able to offer notarial services, including administering an oath, affirmation or statutory declaration, making a certified copy of a document, and preparing a document in English or Chinese. See the full list of notarial and documentary services we provide.

Commercial disputes

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in China and the British Embassy in China do not become directly involved in civil or commercial disputes between companies or individuals. Business disputes are primarily a private matter or one of arbitration for the courts.

Read our overseas business risk guide for China. This explains the options available to settle a commercial dispute in China. It also explains actions UK companies should take before entering into a commercial contract in China.

Consular fees

We charge fees for some of our services. See the full list of consular fees in China.

We also provide services in:

Our people

Contact us


British Consulate-General Shanghai

The British Centre, 17F Garden Square, 968 West Beijing Road
200041 Shanghai
China

Email
CommercialMail.Beijing@fcdo.gov.uk (Commercial Enquiries only)

Telephone (General enquiries only)
+86 (0) 21 3279 2000 / +44 20 7008 5000

Fax (General)
+86 (0) 21 3279 2005

Fax (Consular)
+86 (0) 21 3279 2009

Use our contact form for consular enquiries
www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-shanghai

Opening hours (local time):
Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm

Access and opening times

The Consular Section of the British Consulate-General Shanghai

1702, British Centre, Garden Square, 968 West Beijing Road, Shanghai
200041
China

Telephone
+86 (0) 21 3279 2000

Fax
+86 (0) 21 3279 2009

Use our contact form for consular enquiries:
www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-shanghai

24/7 support is available by telephone for all routine enquiries and emergencies.
Please call +86 (0) 21 3279 2000.

Public access to the Consulate-General is by appointment only. Please visit gov.uk/world/china or call +86 (0) 21 3279 2000.

Access and opening times

Corporate information