China Visa FAQs

As the first step of a China trip, there are always some curiosities and questions about the type of visa, visa application, latest news, and more. Here we have prepared a collection of frequently asked questions about China visas. Check it out to get your ticket to your dream China tour!

Summer Palace in Beijing, China

What Kind of Visa Do I Need to Travel to China?

Most travelers would only apply for a Tourist Visa L, which is issued for visitors who come to China for sightseeing or visiting family members or friends by the embassy or consulate. The tourist L visa can be either a single- or multiple-entry visa.

If your China trip is a group tour of at least 2 people, another visa option is the port visa issued directly by the port authority, which may be simpler and more convenient. However, as the port visa cannot be applied for individually, you and your group number may need the help of your travel agency.

Note: Great news for visitors from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia: no visa application is required to visit China for 30 days. Also, it's better to complete the arrival card on the website of the National Immigration Administration of China before departure (https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/entry-registation-home). If you encounter any issues and cannot fill it out online, you can also complete it at the port of entry.

What Is the Validity of a Chinese Visa and the Duration of My Chinese Stay?

Different visas have different validity, varying from 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, to 24 months. Most people would only apply for a single-entry or double-entry tourist visa (L), which is usually valid for 3 or 6 months from the date of issue. While the 15-day validity of the port visa will be slightly shorter.

An L or a port visa normally allows you to stay in China for a maximum of 30 days (counted from the day after entry). If you plan to stay in China for more than 30 days, state clearly in the application form to get the approval of the visa officer when you submit your application.

How to Apply for a Chinese Visa?

For an L Visa

1. Locate the visa office of the nearest Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in your resident country/city.

2. Go in person or entrust someone or a visa agent to drop off your application. Mail service is not available at most embassies and consulates of the PRC. An interview might be requested.

3. After getting to the visa center, obtain a queue number and wait for your number to be called. After submitting your visa supplication with the required documents, you will receive a pickup form, which shows the information about your application and the expected date for collection.

For A Port Visa

1. Find at least 2 travel companions and a travel agency for your coming China tour.

2. Book your flight tickets and hotel and prepare the necessary documents.

Note:

(1) Getting a China visa is possible in Hong Kong. Despite the visa office stating that you should apply in your home country, the policy is not usually enforced for most nationalities. Check out how to get a China visa in Hong Kong.

(2) Though it is also possible to get a China visa in a third country while you're en route, it has become difficult these days. Some offices do not accept applications from persons who do not reside in the country.

What Are the Requirements for Applying for a Chinese Visa?

To apply for a China visa, you need to provide some basic documents, including a valid passport, a completed Visa Application Form and one recent passport photo, as well as a few additional supporting documents for visa application.

What Is the Cost of Applying for a Chinese Visa?

Visa cost varies according to your nationality, number of entries, and service options.

When Can I Obtain My Chinese Visa After Application?

Normally it takes 4-5 business days to obtain your L visa. Fill out your application form completely, correctly, and legibly to avoid unnecessary delay in processing. If you are urgent, you can pay an extra fee to get it within 2 business days. Additional fees are also needed for quicker delivery service.

Port visas take 2-3 business days to process after you submit your application, which means you can usually get your visa on arrival.

What Is the Best Time to Apply for a Visa?

The best time to submit your L visa application is 1 or 2 months before your intended trip to China. If you apply too early, the visa may expire when needed. If you apply too late, there might be not enough time to get it. While the port visa may not be in such a hurry, 15 days in advance is enough.

How About the 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy?

Visitors from the 55 countries holding the third-country visas and confirmed onward interline air, train, or ship tickets to another country can now apply for a visa-free transit at the following cities under the 10-day visa-free stay policy: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xian, Guilin, Chongqing, etc.

The 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy Is Valid for Passport Holders from the Following 55 Countries:

Schengen Agreement Countries (25): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway

Other European Countries (15): Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco

American Countries (6): the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

Oceania Countries (2): Australia and New Zealand.

Asian Countries (7): Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Indonesia.

Application Condition and Tips for a Free 10-Day Transit Visa:

1. Hold passports issued by the listed 55 countries.

2. A copy of an onward ticket to a third country, e.g., New York - Beijing - Sydney. This measure does not apply to a passenger traveling from New York, USA, and stopping over at Beijing on his/her way to Los Angeles, USA.

3. Visitors are not allowed to leave these visa-free areas under the visa-free transit policy, including major tourist cities like Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc. However, Tibet and Xinjiang are not covered in this policy.

4. The 10 days will be counted from 00:00 am the day after your arrival, not from the time when the flight lands at the airport. E.g., if you arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport at 11:00 am on Aug. 1, your 10 days will be counted from 00:00 am on Aug. 10.

Check out our visa-free tours. Or you can contact us to customize a tour that completely fits your needs!