Chinese 5-year and 10-year visa eligibility for UK citizens
For two years or so UK citizens have been eligible for 2-, 5-, and 10-year visas to China. However, despite knowing a number of people who travel to China regularly, I know no one who has received a 5-year or 10-year visa. In fact, the form to submit at the visa centre doesn't even have an option to request a 5-year or 10-year visa.
The Chinese embassy says this:
"As of Monday, 11 January 2016, in line with the reciprocal visa arrangement between China and the UK, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK will issue two-year multi-entry visas to eligible British nationals who intend to go to China for commercial/trade activities, as a tourist and to visit family members/relatives. Five-year and ten-year visas will be issued to eligible British nationals."
http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/gdxw/t1330627.htm
How does a British national become eligible for a 5-year or 10-year visa?
Best Answer
I have spoken to an assistant who accepts visa application forms at a UK Chinese visa centre. She said that the eligibility for 5 and 10 year visas is thus:
- Visas available are 2, 5, and 10 year multiple entry.
- After receiving 2 year visa twice, you become eligible for 5 years.
- After 5 years you become eligible for 10 years.
This visa structure only came into place approximately 2 and a half years ago; I believe early 2016. So nobody (except in some unusual circumstances) will have come to the end of their second 2 year visa yet; so the 5 and 10 visas are still rarely granted.
I submit this as answer because I have been unable to find written confirmation of this; I will not accept it as final answer because I still hope somebody may be able to link to an authoritative source.
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Can I get a 10 year Chinese visa?
The "10-year Chinese Visa" is multi-year and multi-entry business, tourism, and family-visit visa issued for Canadians who meet the requirements in terms of the agreement on facilitation of people-to-people exchanges between China and Canada on March 9, 2015. The visa is valid for up to 10 years.Can I get 10 years UK visa?
Long-term Standard Visitor visasYou can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.How do I get a 10 year multiple entry visa for China?
How to ApplyHow long can I stay in China with a 10 year visa?
How long can I stay in China on a China ten-year visa?10-year China Visa CategoriesMaximum Stay Length per EntryTourist (L)60 daysBusiness (M)60 daysFamily Reunion (Q2)90 daysPrivate Visit (S2)120 daysWHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 5-YEAR AND 10- YEAR ROUTE SPOUSE VISA (UK)?
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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