Home / Embassy / Visa /

Apply for China Visa in a Third Country

It’s a common scene that travelers need to obtain China visas in a country which is not their home country, usually called a third country.
 

Can you apply for a Chinese visa in another country?

While it is possible to apply for Chinese visa outside home country, you may run into more difficulties compared with applying from your own country. Some consular offices do not accept applications from temporary visitors in the country concerned. In some cases having a visa for that country is considered OK, but this might be of no help if you are in a country where you do not require one.

There is no simple answer to this issue, nor is it clear exactly why this rule exists. The first option is to try at every Chinese consulate en route in the hope that one will grant you a China visa. Some people may courier passport and application to a friend or agent in their own country to apply for China visa, but this will be in vain because the applicant is required to be physically in the application country.
 

Requirements for Applying China Visa in a Third Country

1. Passport with a remaining validity of six months and blank visa pages
2. A completed China Visa Application Form
3. A 48mm x 33mm recent color photo
4. Proof of legal stay or residency in the third country, which can be your visa, residence permit, student certificate or employment permit in the country
5. Other documents supporting your reason for the intended travel, such as travel itinerary, round-trip tickets, or an invitation letter from a China travel agency
 

Apply for China Visa in Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong and Macau are considered as foreign territory on this regard so they are considered as 'third regions'.

It’s possible to apply for a Chinese visa in Hong Kong or Macau, but maybe for shorter duration of stay compared with applying from your home country. If you have an ID card or long-term visa there, it may facilitate the application.

Generally speaking, you can only get single or double entry China visa if you are visitors in Hong Kong without HK ID Card; if you have previous entries into mainland or you are Hong Kong student/work visa holders, you possibly can get a multiple-entry visa to mainland. The same rule applies to Macau.

As there is chance that your application may get refused, here TravelChinaGuide advises that you had better arrange Chinese visa in advance in your resident country to reduce the risk of visa refusal. If you have to apply from HK or Macau, you need to go to the China Visa Application Center in Hong Kong or Macau.
 

China Visa Application Service Center in Hong Kong

Address: 20th Floor, Capital Center, 151 Gloucester Road, Wanchai
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 16:00 from Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
Telephone: 852-29921999
Fax: 852-29891116
Email: hongkongcenter@visaforchina.org
 

China Visa Application Service Center in Macau

Address: Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Nam Kwong Building, 1/F, 223-225, Macao
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday (except for public holidays and typhoon signal No.8 or above)
Application submission: 9:00 to 15:00
Passport collection: 9:00 to 16:00 (for Express service: 11:00 to 16:00)
Tel: 87998117/8118 (9:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00)
Fax: 87998119
E-mail: macaocenter@visaforchina.org
 

Cost for Applying from Hong Kong & Macau

China Visa Fee US Canada UK New Zealand
Apply in HK HKD 1,340 HKD 700 HKD 950 HKD 860
Apply in Macau MOP 1,125 MOP 470 MOP 890 MOP 640

* For reference only.
* It takes 4 working days for visa processing. If you want to get it within 2-3 days, you have to apply for rush service or express service by paying extra money.

 Note: Foreigners residing in Taiwan can apply for China visa either from Hong Kong or Macau, or from their home country.
 

Further Reading:

How to Apply for a China Visa
How to Apply a China Visa in Hong Kong
China Visa Application Requirements

- Last updated on Jan. 03, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Apply for China Visa in a Third Country
Asked by A Williams from NEW ZEALAND | Mar. 08, 2024 18:46Reply
Can I apply for China Visa from 3rd country Bali?
I’m a New Zealand citizen currently in Bali on 30 day (tourist) visa. Can I apply for a China visa from the China visa office in Denpasar, Bali? If I can, do flights to China have to start in Bali?
Answers (1)
Answered by Andrew | Mar. 10, 2024 20:18
00Reply


I'm afraid it is a little hard and you can confirm with the local Chinese visa service center.
Asked by Mmi from KENYA | Feb. 28, 2024 20:26Reply
Visa from 3rd Country
I have a work permit notification and I need to exit China to apply for Chinese Z visa. Can I apply from the Chinese visa application center in HongKong? Kenyan nationality
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Feb. 29, 2024 17:01
00Reply


It would be highly rejected and you'd better to apply for it in your home country.
Asked by richardpaterson
richard
from UNITED KINGDOM | Jan. 15, 2024 06:32Reply
im travelling from uk to macau ,my wife now resides in mainland china ,i didnt have time to apply
for visa in uk , due to travel dates no time to make apointment . I will be visiting for 20 days , will i be able to get visa in macau to stay with my wife
Answers (1)
Answered by Gloria | Jan. 15, 2024 19:50
00Reply


If you are a British passport holder, you can visit Macau visa-free for at most 90 days.
Asked by ED from SIERRA LEONE | Dec. 28, 2023 09:59Reply
Apply for China Visa in Hong Kong, Macau or Malaysia
I’m in Mainland China from Sierra Leone with a single entry visa and my 30 days is running out without finishing the business I came to do. Is it possible for me to go to Hongkong, Macau or Malaysia and apply for another 30 days visa to re-enter Mainland China to finish business and catch up with my scheduled return flight at the end of the other 30 days?
Answers (1)
Answered by Diana | Dec. 28, 2023 17:25
00Reply


In fact, you can apply for a visa extension in the local entry and exit administration.
Asked by Fan from CHINA | Dec. 23, 2023 07:29Reply
Re-entry to Zhuhai from Maucau
Hi, I’m a Chinese citizen working at other countries. I brought my husband and my mother in law to China on a single entry visa as I read they’re visa free citizens to enter Macau. So I didn’t realize they need another visa to come back to Zhuhai and Guangzhou to catch our scheduled flight. After reading your guide, I wonder if I should risk to enter Macau for 2 days and apply short stay visa for reentry in Macau so I don’t waste my holiday this year that I can take families to visit Macau. Many thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Dec. 24, 2023 23:53
00Reply


What nationalities are your husband and mother in law? How long will you stay in Zhuhai again? You can check if they are eligible for the 24-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit. If they aren't eligible for those, it is better not to visit Macau.
Ask a Question
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
NameCountryEmail