Guidance

Living in China

Information for British citizens moving to or living in China, including guidance on residency, healthcare and travel.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
22 March 2013
Last updated
30 January 2024 — See all updates

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in China. Read about how our British Embassy in Beijing, British Consulates-General in Guangzhou and Shanghai can help. This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Chinese authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British Nationals abroad: a guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

Read general guidance on Moving or retiring abroad.

We encourage British nationals in China to sign up for Travel Advice email alerts and to follow the UK in China on social media including Facebook and Twitter; WeChat users may search for ‘UK Consular’ to sign up for news alerts. There you will find information and news for British nationals in China.

Before you go

See our Travel advice for China for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies

See Overseas Business Risk for China for information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in China.

Visas and residency

Check the Entry requirements for China in our travel advice.

You can find Chinese Visa Information on Chinese Embassy in the UK website and how to apply for a visa to enter China on Chinese Visa Application Service Center website.

You can visit Chinese National Immigration Administration Website for more detailed information on Entry-Exit Policies.

When you are in China, Chinese Immigration service line is: 12367, please add area code when you dial.

Registering with the Public Security Bureau

Foreign nationals in China must register their temporary residence with the Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 24 hours of arriving in the country. This is mandatory for any length of stay. If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel should be able to register you with the PSB. If you are residing somewhere other than a hotel (for example with family or friends), you must register yourself at the nearest police station within 24 hours of your arrival in China.

People should also be aware that you are required to re-register when you move residence, renew passport and each time you return from a trip abroad. Please contact the police station if you have any questions regarding this registration process.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport and get an emergency travel document from China.

Healthcare in China

Visit the Health section of our Travel Advice page for detailed advice on medical services, vaccinations and health risks in China.

Health insurance

There is no reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and China. You are encouraged to arrange medical care and insurance before you travel.

If you are resident in China ensure you have taken out an appropriate health insurance policy. If you are a visitor, arrange comprehensive travel insurance before you travel. Make sure your policy covers the following:

  • an air ambulance, in case you need to be flown home by this means
  • full medical cover (medical bills can be expensive)
  • repatriation of your remains in the event of death
  • repatriation of your family in the event it is necessary for you to return home due to illness or injury

NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.

Medical emergencies

If you need emergency medical assistance whilst in China, dial 120 and ask for an ambulance. Ambulances can be very slow to arrive and may not have trained responders. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company as soon as possible to inform them of what has happened. Hospitals may seek immediate payment by cash or card before treatment is given.

Medicine

If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in China. Certain medicines may not be available in China (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. See information on bringing medication into China from the Chinese government website.

You should consult your GP before travelling to China to find out about any alternative medication.

Read the NHS guidance if you need to travel with medicines.

Health and safety standards

Health and safety regulations are not always enforced to the standard of the UK. You should be aware of fire hazards and the location of fire exits where you stay.

If you live in China, ensure your home has both a working fire alarm and a working carbon monoxide alarm installed. There have been incidences of carbon monoxide poisoning due to incorrectly installed gas equipment, including one that caused the death of a British national.

List of hospitals in China

A list of hospitals & other medical service providers in China. Please note that inclusion in this list does not constitute official endorsement by the British Embassy or the UK government.

List of funeral directors in China

A list of funeral directors who may be able to assist in international repatriation, and funeral services in China. Please note that inclusion in this list does not constitute official endorsement by the British Embassy or the UK government.

Working in China

If you are planning to move to China and work, you will need a visa and a work permit. Read the Chinese government’s Guidelines for Visa Applications.

Criminal Record Checks

China’s visa regulations state that proof of no criminal record is required for foreign nationals applying for a work or resident permit. The Chinese government may ask for your Criminal Record Check to be legalised. Please note the British Embassy and Consulates cannot provide this service nor can we certify, notarise, or authenticate Criminal Record Checks. Guidance on Legalisation of UK documents can be found at the Notarial and Documentary page. To obtain a criminal record check for use in China, covering time spent in the UK you can:

  • contact the UK police authorities nearest to where you lived at the time
  • seek records via the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO)
  • if you work or are seeking to work with children, you can also apply via ACRO for an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC). The ICPC is a police check available to overseas schools and organisations with no formal link to the UK, who are recruiting British nationals (or any national who has spent time living in the UK) to work with children; note that you, not your employer, must apply for an ICPC - employers can ask you to provide an ICPC or can contact the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
  • check the information from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS - formerly the Criminal Records Bureau) to see if a DBS check is suitable for you or your employer’s requirements guide: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

The Chinese authorities may ask for this document to be “legalised”. The process of legalisation involves submitting a UK public document to the Legalisation Office and having this document counter-signed by the Chinese Embassy in London.

The British Embassy and Consulates-General in China have no authority to conduct criminal record checks and are unable to provide British nationals with proof of no criminal record. If you wish to obtain a criminal record clearance from the Chinese authorities, you will need to apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Record (Wu Fan Zui Ji Lu Zheng Ming 外国人无犯罪记录证明) from the Chinese authorities, such as local Exit and Entry Administration bureaus and Notary Public offices. The British Embassy and Consulates-General cannot provide such a certificate for your time in China.

Business

If you travel to China to do business of any sort, it is important to be aware of the risks involved in doing so. You can read more on Overseas Business Risk China.

Studying in China

If you plan to study in China, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Please contact the Chinese Embassy on details on visa requirements. Contact the relevant higher education provider in China to check what fees you have to pay.

British nationals holding student visas are not allowed to take up employment. Internships need to be registered with the local authorities and endorsed on the visa.

Tax

You should get professional advice on paying tax in China. Find an English-Speaking Lawyer in China.

Read the guidance about:

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.

If you are employed in China, you should check with your employer about what benefit you are entitled while you are in China.

Pensions

Please read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in China, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

Foreign nationals can open bank accounts in China if they meet certain criteria. Banks usually require that the person must be between the ages of 18 and 65, have full civil capacity and a legal and stable income. Speak to the bank to find out exact requirements.

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

Buying property in China is not straightforward. Requirements on Foreigners buying property varies in different cities. It is essential therefore, that anyone planning to buy property seeks legal advice. See our list of English-Speaking Lawyers.

Driving in China

To drive a car in China, you need a Chinese driving licence. China does not recognise the International Driving Permit or other foreign driving licences. Foreign nationals with a valid residence permit may be able to apply for a Chinese driving licence. Contact the local Vehicle Administration Office to enquire about updated policy and process. If you have a UK driving licence, you may be able to apply for conversion to a Chinese driving licence, but you may be required to sit a local theory test and pass practical driving exams depending on the type of vehicle you drive.

If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in China you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.

If your child is born in China and one parent is Chinese national, you can find more information on nationality in China.

If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.   

Deaths

If someone dies in China read our guidance on:

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad

You may also need:

Notarial and documentary services guide for China

Pets

China has several different requirements in order to import dogs or cats, including proof of rabies vaccination, vet-approved health certificates, China export documentation, mandatory quarantine, etc. Regulations change often and differ by point of entry, so best to check with a company that specialises in international pet travel or relocation. The cost of having your pet come with you to China will vary by type and size of animal, country of origin, use of a professional pet moving company etc.

You can only bring one pet per adult, and in most cities like Beijing, you can only register one pet per household address. Bigger dogs and specific breeds that are deemed violent are banned from major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

There are also special regulations to consider for bringing your pets back to the UK.

Bringing pets with you to China can be expensive and stressful, so it may only make sense to bring your pet if you are staying in China for a longer period of time. Get all the information about importing and exporting your pet before making the decision.

Emergencies

Dial 110 for the police and all emergencies. Dial 120 for ambulance. Dial 119 for fire brigade.

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in China, read the information for victims of rape and sexual assault in China. See also

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Guides we produce

We also produce guides for British nationals who need information about services that are not provided by our Consulates, but that you may find useful in specific circumstances.

Updates to this page

Published 22 March 2013
Last updated 30 January 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added 'Mental health support for British nationals in China'

  2. Updated 'Living in China' page

  3. Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  4. Updated

  5. Updated

  6. Updated

  7. Updated

  8. Updated

  9. Updated

  10. Updated

  11. Criminal record checks updated.

  12. added Returning to the UK after living in China section

  13. First published.

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