Visit the UK as a Chinese Tour Group

You can come to the UK for up to 30 days as part of a tour group through the approved destination status agreement (ADS) if you are a Chinese citizen.

To qualify you must enter the country as part of your tour group (minimum 5 people) and stay with the group for the whole of your visit.

Your tour must be organised by an ADS licensed Chinese tour operator. 

You must leave the UK when your ADS visa expires. You cannot extend this visa. 

Fill in the ADS visitor application form online to apply. 

Your agent will then arrange an appointment for the whole tour group at a visa approval centre in China. This will usually happen at least 3 weeks before departure. 

Before the appointment date you need to give your agent: 

  • your current travel document or passport 

  • your previous passports or travel documents 

  • evidence of your current employment or studies 

You must have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa. 

The appointment includes taking your fingerprints and photo (biometric information). 

You should pay the visa fee directly to your travel agent, who will pay for the whole group. 

Read the guidance for ADS applicants in simplified Chinese.