UK help and services in China

Services if you're visiting, studying, working or living in China. Includes information about trading with and doing business in the UK and China.

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Emergency help for British nationals

Get help if you're the victim of crime, you've been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad.

  1. British Consulate General Chongqing

    The British Consulate-General in Chongqing represents the UK government in southwest China including Chongqing and provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou.

  2. British Consulate General Guangzhou

    The British Consulate-General Guangzhou represents the UK government in South China, covering provinces and regions of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Hunan, and Jiangxi.

  3. British Consulate General Shanghai

    The British Consulate-General in Shanghai represents the UK government in Shanghai City, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and Anhui Province.

  4. British Consulate General Wuhan

    The British Consulate-General in Wuhan represents the UK government in Hubei and Henan provinces.

  5. British Embassy Beijing

    The British Embassy in Beijing maintains and develops relations between the UK and China.

  6. China Regional Cities Network

    Extending UK understanding and influence into China’s key regional economies, building ties with local governments and supporting UK businesses.

  7. Compensation for victims of terrorist attacks abroad

    Compensation for terrorist attacks abroad - eligibility, acts of terrorism covered, application form, helpline

  8. Compensation if you're a victim of crime abroad

    If you're a UK resident and have been injured because of a violent crime abroad, you can usually apply for compensation

  9. Get help if you're a victim of crime abroad

    Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad

  10. Help if you’re arrested abroad

    Find out what the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office can do to help if you or someone you know is arrested abroad.

  11. Information for victims of rape and sexual assault in China

    Advice for British nationals in China on reporting rape or sexual assault, finding medical treatment and engaging with the Chinese legal authorities.

  12. Rape and sexual assault abroad: returning to the UK

    Information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad, including how to access medical treatment and legal advice in the UK.

  13. What to do if you’re affected by a crisis overseas

    Advice for British nationals affected by crises abroad, including terrorist attacks, natural disasters and major political unrest, and information on what help the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.

Passports and emergency travel documents

Includes how to cancel a lost passport, renew a passport and apply for an emergency travel document.

  1. Apply for or renew a British passport if you're visiting the UK

    You can apply for or renew a British passport while you're visiting the UK - as long as you expect to be in the UK for long enough

  2. British passports in China

    This page is designed to provide British Nationals with guidance on what to do if their passport is lost or stolen in China.

  3. Cancel a lost or stolen passport

    What you need to do if your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to travel urgently - emergency travel document and replacement passport.

  4. Get an emergency travel document

    Apply for an emergency travel document if you're outside the UK and have not got a valid British passport - apply online, how to apply, fee, timings

  5. Overseas British passport applications

    Renew, replace or apply for an adult or child British passport if you’re living abroad or working overseas - forms, prices, how long it takes

Travelling to China

Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad.

  1. China travel advice

    Latest travel advice for China including how coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting travel and entry requirements at this time as well as safety and security and local laws and customs

  2. Getting married abroad

    Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

  3. Reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad

    How to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

Coming to the UK

Get a visa to study, work or visit the UK.

  1. Apply for a UK visa in China

    Guidance on how to apply for a visa for the UK in China.

  2. Check if you need a UK visa

    You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.

  3. China: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa

    Where to get tested for tuberculosis (TB) in China for your UK visa application.

  4. Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help

    How to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for help with your application or immigration account, from inside and outside the UK.

  5. Get your visa, immigration or citizenship documents back

    Get your documents returned if you've made a UK visa, immigration or citizenship application but need them back urgently

Living in China

Includes how to access healthcare, get a document legalised, lists of lawyers and how to vote abroad.

  1. China travel advice

    Latest travel advice for China including how coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting travel and entry requirements at this time as well as safety and security and local laws and customs

  2. China: doctors and medical facilities

    This list of hospitals has been prepared for the convenience of British nationals who may require medical services in China.

  3. China: lawyers and translators/interpreters

    List of English speaking lawyers and translators/interpreters in China.

  4. Copyright Recordal in China

    UK companies may benefit from voluntary copyright recordal as part of a China IP strategy.

  5. Factsheet on Bad-faith Trade marks in China

    Bad-faith trade mark applications is the most common business irritant reported to the British Embassy in Beijing.

  6. Get your document legalised

    Use the online service to get a UK document legalised.

  7. Information for victims of rape and sexual assault in China

    Advice for British nationals in China on reporting rape or sexual assault, finding medical treatment and engaging with the Chinese legal authorities.

  8. IP and Education in China

    Intellectual property protection can underpin success for UK companies in China's booming education sector.

  9. Living in China

    Advice for British people living in China.

  10. Medical treatment in China

    This page is designed to provide British Nationals with an overview of medical treatment in China and information on how the FCDO can help if a British National is in hospital.

  11. Nationality in China

    This page is designed to provide British Nationals with guidance on nationality in China.

  12. Support for British nationals abroad: a guide

    This guide highlights some of the main ways you can help yourself stay safe abroad and what help the FCDO can provide.

  13. UK benefits if you’re going or living abroad

    Find out what benefits you might be able to receive while you’re abroad and how to export them from the UK or claim them while abroad

  14. Voting if you move or live abroad

    How to vote if you move or live abroad, including eligibility and registration

Tax, benefits, pensions and working abroad

Includes how to pay tax, claim State Pension and get tax credits abroad.

  1. Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad

    Benefits you can claim if you go abroad and countries with social security arrangements with the UK

  2. Moving or retiring abroad

    What you need to know if you move or retire abroad - tax, pensions, voting and contacting your local council

  3. National Insurance if you work abroad

    Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out if you need to pay National Insurance when you work abroad

  4. Report on China-Southeast Asia Anti-Counterfeiting

    A summary report into anti-counterfeiting activity in China and Southeast Asia.

  5. State Pension if you retire abroad

    How to claim State Pension if you're overseas - payment, tax, change of circumstances - contact the International Pension Centre

  6. Tax credits if you leave or move to the UK

    Tax credits if you live abroad, go travelling, are a cross-border worker or subject to immigration control

  7. Tax on foreign income

    Find out whether you need to pay UK tax on foreign income - residence and ‘non-dom’ status, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice (including certificates of residence)

  8. Tax on your UK income if you live abroad

    Find out whether you need to pay tax on your UK income while you're living abroad - non-resident landlord scheme, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice, personal allowance of tax-free income, form R43

  9. UK-China Film & TV Toolkit

    Protecting confidential information and intellectual property in creative collaborations.

Birth, death and marriage abroad

Includes how to get married, list of funeral directors and how to register a birth abroad.

  1. Adoption in China

    What to do if you are planning to adopt a child in China.

  2. China bereavement: death abroad

    Information to help the family and friends of British nationals who have died in China.

  3. China: affidavit of marital status form

    Template affidavit (religious document) of marital status form for British nationals in China. Please choose the most appropriate template for your circumstances.

  4. China: affirmation of marital status form

    Template affirmation of marital status form for British nationals in China. Please choose the most appropriate template for your circumstances.

  5. China: funeral directors

    List of English-speaking funeral directors for British nationals abroad in China.

  6. Getting married abroad

    Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

  7. Giving birth in China

    Advice on how to ascertain nationality for your child.

  8. Marriage in China

    This page is designed to provide British Nationals with guidance on how to get married in China. You can find information on both opposite sex and same sex marriages.

  9. Register a birth abroad

    Parents must register the birth in the country where the child was born - find out if you can also register the birth in the UK

  10. Surrogacy overseas

    Information for British nationals who are considering entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.

  11. What to do after someone dies

    The steps you must take when someone dies - register a death, report a death with Tell Us Once, coroners, funerals and death abroad

  12. What to do when someone dies: step by step

    Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and manage financial issues.

News and events

Find out about the UK government's diplomatic, security and development work in China.

  1. China and the UK

    Updates, news and events from the UK government in China

Trade and invest

Includes investing and setting up a business in the UK and doing business in China.

  1. Department for International Trade China

    DIT provides trade and investment services and practical support. We help UK companies succeed in China, and Chinese companies set up and invest in the UK.

  2. Factsheet to support Chinese companies with overseas IP protection and technology commercialisation (Chinese-language)

    Produced in partnership with the UK Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA).

  3. Overseas Business Risk - China

    Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in China.

  4. Set up a business

    What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits

  5. UK Science and Innovation Network in China

    The Science and Innovation Network promotes and facilitates international collaboration in research and innovation.

British embassy or high commission

Includes contact details, opening hours and consular fees and local services.

  1. British Consulate General Chongqing

    The British Consulate-General in Chongqing represents the UK government in southwest China including Chongqing and provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou.

  2. British Consulate General Guangzhou

    The British Consulate-General Guangzhou represents the UK government in South China, covering provinces and regions of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Hunan, and Jiangxi.

  3. British Consulate General Shanghai

    The British Consulate-General in Shanghai represents the UK government in Shanghai City, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and Anhui Province.

  4. British Consulate General Wuhan

    The British Consulate-General in Wuhan represents the UK government in Hubei and Henan provinces.

  5. British Embassy Beijing

    The British Embassy in Beijing maintains and develops relations between the UK and China.

  6. China Regional Cities Network

    Extending UK understanding and influence into China’s key regional economies, building ties with local governments and supporting UK businesses.

  7. China: consular fees

    List of fees for consular information in China.

  8. Notarial and documentary services guide for China

    Documents, certificates, letters and notes available at the British Embassy and Consulates in China.