At First Law Solicitors, we provide precise and reliable immigration advice for Chinese tour operators, agents, and travellers visiting the United Kingdom under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme.
The ADS programme allows Chinese nationals to travel to the UK as part of an approved tour group organised by a China National Tourism Administration (CNTA)-approved travel company. The UK Home Office now processes all ADS applications within the Standard Visitor Visa framework, ensuring that travel remains lawful, digitally secure, and fully traceable through authorised operators.
Our solicitors manage every aspect of the process, from verifying travel agency approval to ensuring visa compliance for each group member.
The ADS arrangement is a bilateral tourism agreement between the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China. It permits Chinese citizens to visit the UK for short-term tourism under the supervision of a CNTA-approved travel agency.
Each traveller must be part of a pre-organised itinerary that includes travel, accommodation, and return arrangements. The visit is for tourism only and does not permit employment, study, or extended stays.
While individual applications are made through the Home Office’s digital portal, the tour operator remains responsible for ensuring compliance with UK immigration law and the conditions of stay for each group participant.
Since 2024, ADS visitors apply under the Standard Visitor route, selecting “Organised Chinese Tour Group” as their reason for travel.
The key conditions are:
Our solicitors liaise with accredited travel agencies in both China and the United Kingdom to ensure that all sponsorship, accommodation, and itinerary documentation meets the Home Office’s evidential requirements.
From 25 February 2026, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement extends to many non-visa nationals. However, Chinese nationals continue to require a full visa for entry, even under the ADS scheme.
Once approved, all travellers will receive a digital immigration status (eVisa) instead of a physical visa vignette. Group coordinators will use a shared UKVI account to manage and verify the status of each participant prior to travel.
Our firm assists tour operators in adapting to the Data Use and Access Act 2025, which governs how digital identity and immigration data are securely managed across multiple group members. We also provide legal oversight to ensure that each participant’s documentation is fully compliant before submission to the Home Office.
The UK Home Office maintains strict oversight of ADS operations. Any breach of conditions such as a traveller separating from the group or overstaying can lead to the suspension of the travel agency’s ADS approval.
At First Law Solicitors, we provide compliance audits and pre-departure checks to protect your travel authorisation. We advise both UK-based and China-based agencies on:
Our legal support ensures that both individual travellers and agencies maintain full integrity within the ADS framework, avoiding costly suspensions or visa bans.
Specialist Oversight: Every ADS matter is handled by an experienced solicitor with direct expertise in UK visitor visa compliance and cross-border tourism regulation.
Agency Collaboration: We work with CNTA-registered travel agencies to streamline visa processing and ensure smooth coordination between UK and Chinese authorities.
Digital Precision: All applications are managed using our encrypted digital portal, integrating Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) for secure verification.
Strategic Insight: We provide ongoing legal updates to partner agencies on Home Office compliance trends, risk factors, and the evolving UK-China tourism framework.
At First Law Solicitors, we act as the trusted bridge between the UK’s immigration system and China’s regulated travel sector, ensuring seamless and compliant travel experiences for every visitor.
If you represent a CNTA-approved agency or plan to visit the UK as part of an organised Chinese tour group, contact First Law Solicitors for clear legal guidance and full application support.
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