China Visa
China has resumed issuing all types of visas since March 15, 2023, including tourist visas and Shenzhen Visa on Arrival. The long-term 5-year or 10-year visas suspended because of covid-19 have also been resumed on the same day.China Visa Application
- How to Apply for China Visa in Your Country
- Renewal and Extension Visa in China
- Apply for China Visa in a Third Country
- How to Apply a China Visa in Hong Kong
- China Visa Application Requirements
- China Visa Fees & Costs
- Mail Service
- Visa Rejected Reasons
- FAQ about Visa Application
- China Visa Application Form - From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
- Number of Entries / Validity / Duration
- 1. Single, Double and Multiple Entry
2. Validity (Enter Before)
3. Duration of Stay (After Entry) - 10-year Visa for US & Canadian Citizens
- 10-Year Visa for UK Citizens
- Overstay in China
- Visa Policy of China
- Holiday Schedule of Chinese Embassies / Consulates
- Tourist (L) Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for tourism.
- Business (M) Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for business and trade activities.
- Student (X) Issued to aliens who are going for study, furthering studies.
- Work (Z) Issued to aliens who are going for a post or employment.
- Transit (G) Issued to aliens who are going to a third country in transit of PRC.
- Private Visit (S) Issued to family members of foreigners residing in China for work, study, etc.
- Family Reunion (Q) Issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence permit residing in PRC.
- Noncommercial Visit (F) Issued to aliens who are invited to a lecture, scientific-technological & cultural exchanges, study tours, etc.
- Talent (R) Issued to high-level personnel and much-needed highly talented people.
- Crew (C) Issued to crewmembers involving international-based transportation by trains, airway and ships and their accompanying family members.
- Resident (D) Issued to aliens who are going to reside permanently in PRC.
- Journalist (J-1, J-2) Issued to foreign journalists for the purpose of reporting from PRC.
- 24-Hour Transit Without Visa
- 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Adopted in Guangdong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Xi'an, Liaoning, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, and Kunming.
Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR
Chinese Residence Permit
Do you need a visa to travel to China?
If holding an ordinary passport, you need to apply for a visa for China unless you are covered by China’s visa exemption policy, such as the 24/72/144 hours visa free transit schemes, Hainan 30-day visa-free access, visa exemption for tour groups meeting certain requirements, and visa-free entry for holders of APEC Business Travel Card. It’s worth mention that nationals of countries which have reached mutual visa-exemption agreements with China, like Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Qatar and Armenia, can also enjoy free entry to China. Those who hold a Chinese Temporary Residence Permit don’t need a visa for China either within the Residence Permit’s validity.
How to apply a visa for China
Step 1: Fill in China visa application form online, print it out and sign it. Remember to choose the Chinese embassy or consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Centers (CVASC) in charge of your residence district.
Step 2: Collect other required documents.
Step 3: Make an appoinment online for visa application submission with Chinese embassy or consulate, or CVASC in charge of your residence district.
Step 4: Visit the Chinese embassy or consulate or CVASC at the appinted time, submit your application and pay the fee. You will then be given a pick-up slip. The visa fee in some countries are paid when collecting the visa.
Step 5: Collect your passport and visa on the date shown on the pick-up slip. If you use mail service, just wait for your mail.China Embassies
Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
Chinese Embassy in London, UK
Chinese Embassy in Canberra, Australia
Chinese Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand
More Chinese Embassies and ConsulatesYou May Like
- Last updated on May. 23, 2023 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China Visa
Asked by Soon Beng Chow from MALAYSIA | Aug. 27, 2023 18:16
Reply
ReplyI am from Malaysian, can I travel from Guangzhou to Macau and back to Guangzhou?
I am from Malaysia and planning to visit Guangzhou in December. Can I travel from Guangzhou to Macau and back to Guangzhou with a single entry visa?
Asked by scb222 from NEW ZEALAND | Aug. 24, 2023 23:14Reply
ReplyChina Visa in Saigon
I recently applied for a china tourist visa in ho chi minh city and was denied. I have traveled to china many times before, all before 2020. I was shocked to be denied. I can't understand why. I applied in Saigon as I have been living here for over 1 year and I have a resident card valid for another 9 months. Some agents I asked afterwards say it could be because I have many muslim stamps in my passport - turkey, iraq, egypt, afghanistan (even though i didn't end up going there). Could that have been the reason? I also didn't present any bank statements because I wasn't asked to when the girls checked my docs at the visa centre before lodging. I didn't think that was necessary. What do you believe could be the reason :(
Answers (2)
Answered by Emily | Aug. 25, 2023 00:03
0
0Reply
00ReplyI'm very sorry about your experience but it is really hard to guess the real reason why they rejected you and sometimes it all depends on luck. You may have a try several months later and good luck :)
Answered by scb222 | Aug. 25, 2023 00:3500Reply
00ReplyI will try again in Australia, my home country - do you think that will be more likely?
Asked by Jan Hendrik Schweizer Pretorius from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | Aug. 22, 2023 18:37Reply
ReplyIf I fly from Beijing to Hong Kong does that deemed me as I have exited China
Answers (2)
Answered by Andy | Aug. 22, 2023 22:3800Reply
00ReplyYes, your understanding is right.
Answered by jan | Aug. 23, 2023 22:3000Reply
00Replythanks appreciated
Asked by Amie from USA | Aug. 15, 2023 13:52Reply
ReplyChinese Visa Renewal or not?
Hello! I have a current 10 year visa for China on my old passport. I subsequently had to get a new passport but my Visa is attached to my old one. When traveling, do I need to carry both passports and can I just renew or get a new Visa on my new passport?
Answers (1)
Answered by Andrew | Aug. 15, 2023 23:1100Reply
00ReplyJust take both of the two passports and you can enter China without any problem.
Asked by Phoebe from UNITED KINGDOM | Aug. 14, 2023 20:03Reply
ReplyUK Passport for Visa on Arrival at Huanggang Port
Is it easy to be granted a visa on arrival at the Huanggang Port using the UK passport? I've only been granted a 24hr visa-free transit before when I was flying through China, would this be taken into consideration? (not quite a previous visa I guess)
Answers (1)
Answered by Edward | Aug. 15, 2023 00:4100Reply
00ReplyHi, there is no problem for UK passport holders to get a 5-day visa on arrival. The only question is you have to get there as early as possible or you may face a long queue.