Visit the UK in a Chinese Tour Group

What is the Chinese Tour Group Visa?

The Chinese Tour Group Visa is specifically designed for Chinese visitors coming to visit the UK as part of an organised tour groups. It has the added benefit of a streamlined visa application process under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme.

Approved Destination Status

Approved Destination Status (ADS) is part of an agreement formalised between the UK and China on January 21, 2005. The ADS scheme aims to facilitate and streamline the process for Chinese nationals traveling to the UK as part of organised group tours, reflecting a commitment to promoting tourism while ensuring a secure and managed entry process.

Under the ADS scheme, Chinese visitors who apply for the ADS visa are required to travel as part of a tourist group consisting of at least five people. The groups must be organised by designated tour operators who are accredited and trained by the British Embassy in China.

The ADS category does not replace the general visitor visa for Chinese nationals but exists alongside it, specifically catering to group tourists under the ADS agreement. Ordinary visit applications for individual Chinese tourists are still processed through standard visa procedures.

Dependents

Under the Chinese Tour Group Visa, dependents or family members are not permitted to accompany the visa holder to the UK. Family members interested in visiting the UK must apply independently under other UK visa types suited to their circumstances.

Visa Pathway

The Chinese Tour Group Visa does not provide a pathway to settlement in the UK. Time spent in the UK under this visa will not count towards eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain or British Citizenship.

Eligibility Criteria for Chinese Tour Groups

Tour Group Requirements

Tour groups applying for the Chinese Tour Group visa must be organised by a travel agency licensed by Chinese and UK authorities under the ADS scheme. This agency is responsible for submitting the group visa application and ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate.

Group Size

The tour group must consist of a minimum of five individuals.

Pre-Arranged Itinerary

A comprehensive itinerary that includes accommodations, transportation, and planned activities must be prepared beforehand and submitted with the visa application.

Designated Tour Leader

Each group must have a designated tour leader, employed by the travel agency, who will oversee the group’s coordination of the visit with UK authorities.

Travel Insurance

All group members must have comprehensive travel insurance, such as coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other travel risks.

Visa Application Forms

Each tour group member must complete a visa application form, including personal details, passport information, and other necessary data.

Collective Responsibility

The travel agency and tour leader must ensure all group members follow UK laws and visa requirements. Any individual's breach may affect the entire group's visa status.

Individual Requirements

To qualify for entry clearance as a visitor under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) agreement, individuals must be Chinese nationals and meet the following requirements outlined in the Immigration Rules:

• Purpose and Duration of Stay: Seek entry as a visitor for a limited period not exceeding 30 days and plan to leave the UK at the end of their visit.
• Group Travel Requirement: Intends to enter, travel within, and depart from the UK as part of a tourist group under the ADS agreement.

Additionally, during your visit, you must be able to show that you do not intend to:

• Live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
• Seek employment, produce goods, or provide services.
• Undertake a course of study.
• Be under 18 or intend to marry/form a civil partnership.
• Require private medical treatment or transit to a country outside the common travel area.
• Engage in any business, sports, or entertainment activities.

Financial Requirements

You must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency, with adequate funds to support and accommodate yourself during your stay without the need to work or rely on public funds. Support and accommodation can be provided by relatives or friends in the UK, as long as you can provide proof of this arrangement.

Documentation Requirements

Applicants must provide the following documentation to meet the requirements for the UK ADS visa:

1. Proof of Nationality: An original and genuine document that verifies Chinese nationality, such as:
   • A passport with a blank page for the visa,
   • A national identity card, or
   • A birth certificate accompanied by photographic identification.
2. Valid ADS Visa: A valid ADS agreement visit visa issued as part of the group tour application process.
3. Financial Proof: Evidence of adequate funds to cover support and accommodation costs without needing public funds or employment in the UK. If relatives or friends are sponsoring accommodation, proof of their legal status and intention to support is required.
4. Return or Onward Journey Confirmation: Documentation confirming the applicant can cover the cost of returning to China or continuing their travel.
5. Group Travel Requirement: Evidence of travel arrangements as part of a tourist group under the ADS scheme. An accredited Chinese tour operator typically manages this.

Processing Times

Visa processing generally takes around 3 weeks, though it may vary.

Application Fees

All application fees for this visa are paid directly to your travel agent, who will handle payment for the entire group.

How to Apply for the Chinese Tour Group Visa

The ADS scheme is designed to simplify the visa application process for Chinese citizens traveling in organised groups. The application involves two steps: individual application and group application.

To streamline the process, each group member should ensure that all necessary documents and requirements are completed as instructed by the travel agency.

Individual Application Steps

1. Choose a Registered Travel Agency
   Select an ADS-registered travel agency to arrange your trip and guide you through the process.
2. Complete the Online Application Form
   Fill in the ADS visitor application form.
3. Submit Required Documents
   Upload the required documents, such as proof of identity, travel details, and other supporting documents.
4. Sign the Declaration
   Review all your information and sign the declaration to confirm its accuracy.
5. Complete Further Actions
   Follow any additional instructions provided by your travel agency.
6. Await Processing
   Processing generally takes about 3 weeks, though this may vary.

Tour Group Application Steps

1. Compile Individual Applications
   The travel agency compiles all individual applications into a single group application.
2. Schedule a Group Appointment
   Arrange an appointment for the group at a designated visa application center.
3. Attend Appointment with Group
   All group members, accompanied by the tour leader, must attend the visa appointment. This step will include biometric data collection (fingerprints and photographs).
4. Pay Visa Fees
   The travel agency will pay the visa fee on behalf of the entire group.
5. Submit Group Documents
   The travel agency will submit the group application form, detailed itinerary, accommodation confirmation, travel insurance, letter of invitation (if applicable), and tour leader information.
6. Await Decision
   The visa decision will be communicated to the travel agency after processing.

Visa Approval and Stay Duration

If your visa is approved, you must enter the UK as part of the organised tour group and remain with the group throughout your visit. The visa allows for a stay of up to 30 days in the UK.

Visa Extension

A Chinese Tour Group visa cannot be extended. Under the ADS agreement, tour group members must depart the UK by the end of their permitted stay.

Get Help With A Chinese Tour Group Visa Application

The Chinese Tour Group Visa under the ADS scheme simplifies travel for Chinese tourists, boosting tourism and fostering cultural exchange between China and the UK. Joining a tour group offers extensive benefits—cost savings, enhanced safety, and the chance to experience the UK’s cultural and economic richness.

QC Immigration can support ADS-licensed tour operators to ensure visa applications meet UK immigration requirements, paving the way for a smooth, hassle-free tour. Schedule a consultation with our team to speak with a UK immigration expert.