British Consulate General Shanghai
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-07)

The British Consulate-General in Shanghai represents the UK government in China.

Find out more on our UK and China news page (https://www.gov.uk/world/china/news). We provide services to British nationals living in and visiting China. You can access UK government services while in China (https://www.gov.uk/world/china).

Our work covers a range of issues including increasing mutual economic prosperity, climate change and energy, establishing stronger people-to-people ties and supporting British nationals in China.

If you’re travelling in China, see our China travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china).

Getting help

If you cannot get the support you need from local services, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can help British people abroad.

We prioritise emergencies and people who are vulnerable, for example, if someone’s:
- ill, injured, or involved in a crime
- with a British person who’s died
Get help from FCDO (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/china/british-consulate-general-shanghai).

Get an emergency travel document

You can apply for an emergency travel document (ETD) (https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document) if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen (https://www.gov.uk/report-a-lost-or-stolen-passport), damaged or expired, and you cannot get a new or replacement passport (https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport) in time to travel.

Before you can leave China with an ETD you will need to obtain an Exit Visa from your local Public Security Bureau’s (PSB) Entry & Exit Division. This may take up to 10 working days. Consular staff can direct you to the nearest PSB.

Note that we cannot issue ETDs if requested for the following reasons:
- you wish to renew your Chinese residence permit – ETDs are for travel purposes only
- your normal passport is with the local PSB to renew your Chinese residence permit – the Chinese authorities will not permit you to hold more than one visa at the same time
Apply online for an emergency travel document (https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document).

If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

If you are travelling in more than 3 weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport (https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport) in time to travel.

If you are not a British citizen or have not had a British passport before

If you’re not sure, check if you’re a British citizen (https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizen).

If you’re not a British citizen but think you may be eligible, contact us to apply for an emergency travel document (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/china/british-consulate-general-shanghai).

Other consular services

Notarial and documentary services

See the full list of notarial and documentary services for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad).

Commercial disputes

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in China (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/department-for-business-and-trade-china) and the British Embassy in China do not become directly involved in civil or commercial disputes between companies or individuals. Business disputes are primarily a private matter or one of arbitration for the courts.

Read our overseas business risk guide for China (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-china/overseas-business-risk-china). This explains the options available to settle a commercial dispute in China. It also explains actions UK companies should take before entering into a commercial contract in China.

Consular fees

See the full list of consular fees (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/consular-services-fees).

We also provide services in:
- Beijing (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-beijing)
- Guangzhou (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-guangzhou)