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This information is provided as a general guide based upon information provided to the British Embassy/Consulates by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British Embassy/Consulates will not be liable for any inaccuracies. In addition, we make no representation as to the quality or accuracy of the information which is available at the web addresses listed in this guide, nor can we accept any responsibility for the content that is hosted on them. British people wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant authorities.

Nationality law is complicated. You should ask a lawyer who specialises in Chinese law for advice before making any decisions.

Nationality laws

Chinese and British laws governing citizenship differ. This page sets out some issues for adults who hold or have held Chinese nationality in addition to British citizenship, and for children born in China. This is a complicated area and one where you must seek legal advice.

I have British and Chinese passports

Article 3 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China states that China does not recognize dual nationality, so if you are British and Chinese you are likely to be regarded by the Chinese authorities as a Chinese citizen, even if you travel to China on a British passport. In which case we may only be able to provide you with a limited service, which could exclude assistance if you are detained, arrested or imprisoned, amongst other things. If you enter China on a Chinese passport we may not be able to help you if you have a problem.

Please also note that if you travel to China on your Chinese passport, the authorities may require evidence in the passport that you can enter the UK (via a UK visa or Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode) when leaving China. Holding a British passport may not fulfil their requirements.

You must arrive and leave China on the same travel documents.

I have renounced Chinese citizenship

If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, we advise you to carry clear evidence that you have done so. If you still hold ‘Hukou’ (household registration) in China, you may be regarded as a Chinese citizen.

My child was born in China

When neither parent is a Chinese national

According to information provided by Chinese authorities, a child born in China to two foreign national parents is not eligible for Chinese nationality. However, you must do certain things:

• Your child must be registered with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within a limited time of his/her birth. Please consult your local PSB for details of the time limit.
• You should obtain a passport for your child as soon as possible.
• You must obtain a visa/residence permit from the Public Security Bureau Entry-Exit Division for your child as soon as possible.? Please consult your local PSB for details of the time limit. According to Chinese visa regulations, your child cannot exit China until they obtain this visa/residence permit.

When one parent is a Chinese national

Article 4 of Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China states that any person born in China where one parent is a Chinese national shall have Chinese nationality. So if your child is born in China and you or the other parent is Chinese, under Chinese nationality law:

• Your child will automatically assume Chinese citizenship.
• Your child will be recognised only as a Chinese citizen and not hold any other nationality until you formally renounce the child’s Chinese citizenship.

The UK government recognises dual nationality and you can?apply for a British passport?for your child at any time if he/she can claim?British citizenship?under UK nationality law:?/british-passport-eligibility?(Contact UK Visas and Immigration?if you’re not sure whether your child has British nationality or not), but there are some things to consider.

Which nationality should I choose for my child?

We cannot offer advice on this question but there are three options:

• Retain British nationality (and renounce Chinese nationality)
• Retain Chinese nationality
• Keep both

Note that British Passports can only be issued to British Citizens. Once a child becomes a British Citizen, it cannot be renounced until 18 years old. Parents cannot renounce British Citizenship on behalf of their children. Note that if you keep both nationalities your child may be unable to travel out of China, as you may be unable to obtain a visa from the Public Security Bureau in your child’s British Passport. Furthermore, you may not be able to obtain a UK visa in a Chinese passport if your child also holds a British passport.

I want my child to be British

If you decide to retain British nationality for your child, you will have to apply to the Public Security Bureau to renounce your child’s Chinese citizenship. You may have to go to the Public Security Bureau where the Chinese parent’s Hukou (household registration) is registered to do this. This process can take several months, even up to a year. Once the child’s Chinese citizenship is officially renounced, the local Public Security Bureau should recognise the child’s British nationality and passport, and issue a visa/residence permit for the child.

I want my child to be Chinese

If you decide to retain Chinese nationality for your child and your child already holds a British passport, you can give it up by including a covering letter asking for the passport to be cancelled and sending the passport to:

This does not mean you are renouncing your child’s British nationality.

You can then apply to?UK Visas and Immigration?for a?certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode?for travel to the UK using your child’s Chinese passport. ?If you need a letter disclosing details regarding passport holders, you can request information under the??by submitting a?Subject Access Request?to??to get a letter to confirm that your child does not currently hold a British passport. Please visit??for further information and contact details. The British Embassy and Consulates in China cannot answer any queries on this subject or the application process.

Travelling while your child’s nationality is undetermined

If you need to travel out of China before your child’s nationality issue is resolved, you may apply to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) where the Chinese parent’s Hukou (household registration) is registered for an Exit and Entry Permit (出入境通行证 - Chu Ru Jing Tong Xing Zheng). We understand that this document is provided by the PSB as an interim option while nationality differences are to be resolved. It is at the discretion of your local Public Security Bureau whether your child will get a Single Exit Permit; a Single Exit and Entry Permit; or a Multiple Exit and Entry Permit.

For further details on this issue contact your local Public Security Bureau (PSB). PSB contact details for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou are as follows:

Tel: +86 (0)10 12367

Office hours: Monday to Saturday ?9:00am to ?5:00pm (No lunch break. Expect for public holidays)

Tel: +86 (0)21 12367

Office hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Tel: +86 (0)20 12367 (2 for English) or 12345 (press 3 for English)

Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12pm (except for public holidays) ?????

Useful links

If you need general advice when travelling abroad or want to know how the Embassy can help you if you have difficulties please see?Support for British nationals abroad. We also publish and regularly update?foreign travel advice?with key information for 225 countries and territories around the world. The British Embassy/Consulate-Generals provide guides on the following subjects:

Adoption in China

?- including details of who to talk to and documents you may need

Bereavement in China

?- including information on support available and action needed

Commercial disputes in China

/commercial-disputes-in-china?- advice for British nationals and UK companies in China doing business in China

Emergency Travel Document

/emergency-travel-document

English speaking lawyers, translators and interpreters

?/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad

Foreign travel insurance

/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance

Nationality in China

/government/publications/nationality-in-china?– including brief information on nationality issues in China

Living in China

?- general information and links for British nationals living in China

List of hospitals in China

/government/publications/list-of-hospitals-in-china