Regulations on Chinese Visa
The People's Republic of China follows the international system and issues visas according to its laws and regulations which may be modified from time to time. The information provided here is about entry to the PRC mainland only: it does not include visa and entry rules for Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. In some limited situations visa are not required for entry into China, but most foreign travellers need one. Generally, travellers requiring a visa must obtain it prior to travel, but there are a few exceptions.
Foreign travellers holding connecting tickets to pass through China are exempt from visa requirements provided they stay in the transit area of the airport for a no longer than 24 hours.
Some visas can only be applied for outside China, some both, and one 'visa equivalent' – the temporary residence permit - can only be obtained inside China
The regulations for granting visas include a number of factors such as your nationality, whether you have family in China, and whether you were previously a Chinese citizen, and of course which type of visa you are applying for, as well as that, each issuing office has some discretion in how they implement the regulations. This makes it impossible to explain here exactly what will happen, or to provide any certainties. However, these guidelines will be relevant to most situations.
The regulations are not normally applied to their fullest extent but at any time the government may issue a directive to apply the regulations more rigorously against an individual, to applicants from certain nations, or when special events are taking place such as the Olympic Games. Thus, at any time you might be asked to supply full travel bookings, show a minimum amount of funds, or have invitations from Chinese persons or organisations.
Visas can be issued for various durations; immediate or later start dates, and allow one, two (dual), or multiple entries. Any exit from the mainland of the PRC, including to Hong Kong and Macau will require that you have a valid entry to the mainland to permit you to re-enter. Otherwise you will need to apply for a new visa at a consulate (or equivalent in Hong Kong) before entry is permitted.
The Chinese visa is usually a paper sheet glued into your passport but it can occasionally be a rubber stamp.
Nationality Makes a Difference
Depending on the nationality of your passport, the rules vary. Here, we try to provide some guidelines but as always, if you have any doubts contact the appropriate Chinese visa issuing office.
Like most countries, China applies has stricter regulations than it actually applies most of the time. It may be that nationals of some countries have been found to overstay more frequently than others, or have a higher incidence of crime, or be nations associated with terror, or simply ones where diplomatic relations are currently strained. It seems that at present, applicants from certain Asian countries are being required to get invitations and show adequate funds.
Visa fees also vary considerably according to nationality.
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Travelers' Voices on China Visa
1.
Nov. 20,2009 00:36 Reply
Mr.mohammed golam mohiuddin(Bangladesh) said:
i want to a china vissa please give me more information how i will get china vissa
Nov. 20,2009 04:50
Mr.Martin replied:
Just apply for the visa from the China Embassy in Bangladesh.
2.
Nov. 16,2009 15:52 Reply
Mrs.Aldana(Guatemala ) said:
Im from Guatemala, and intent to visit China for an expo trade show, I have to go to Los Angeles to get my plane to Beijing.
I will like to apply in los Angeles, for same day visa, is it possible?
Thanks
Nov. 16,2009 22:53
Mr.Eartha(germany) replied:
it's possible, if you can provide all the requirements.
3.
Nov. 15,2009 10:40 Reply
Mr.Pete(Sweden) said:
hi, I am visiting Hong Kong, do I need a VISA???
I am a British National Living in Sweden
Nov. 16,2009 01:21
Mr.Alex (Hong Kong/China) replied:
i don't think yo need a visa to Hong Kong. British citizens are exempt from a visa to Hong Kong for up to 180 days.
4.
Nov. 12,2009 04:56 Reply
Ms.Wong(Malaysia) said:
Hai, I'm Malaysian, planning go to Shenzhen for 2 day through Hong Kong, so can i just apply the visa when i at Lo Wu custom？
Nov. 12,2009 20:18
Mr.Dale replied:
Yes, if you will just visit Shenzhen for 2 days, you may get the Shenzhen Special Zone visa at Luohu Port.
5.
Nov. 10,2009 17:24 Reply
Mr.Colin(Singapore) said:
I am a Singaporean & my wife is of China Nationality. She is bringing our newborn prince to China for 6 months to stay with my in laws. Do i need to apply a visa or my boy? And what type of visa should i apply?
Nov. 10,2009 20:55
Mr.Alexander replied:
Both you and your boy have to apply for a China L tourist visa.
6.
Nov. 10,2009 07:09 Reply
Mr.mostafa(iran) said:
dear sir/madam
this is PARS TOURIST agency out bound manager and have some request about visa applying for iranian people.i have 4 travellers that want travel to china but i am looking for an honest agent in china to cooperate more and apply visa for our passengers as soon as possible. Plese inform me about all terms that will be need to apply visa for iranian people .there are a lot of passengers in iran that want travel to china weekly.would you like to cooperate and work more whit us for ever ?
please write me back as soon as possible because I have 4 passengers this month.
I am looking forward to reed from you soon
Sincerely
mostafa
Nov. 10,2009 20:54
Mr.Christopher replied:
You should contact the China Embassy in Iran for help.
7.
Nov. 3,2009 18:24 Reply
Mr.Tangchao(China) said:
Hi,
I am an Australian living in China on a Z visa. My girlfriend is a Filipina. I want to invite her to come and stay with me. Some questions:
1. It states that she needs a hotel reservation. Does that still apply as she is staying with me?
2. Should I write her a letter of invitation?
3. Should I put my name down as her inviter?
4. Is there a 30 day limit for Philipinas on a Tourist (L) visa?
5. Any other information you could give that would help her application would be highly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance...
Nov. 3,2009 22:00
Mr.Richard replied:
1. if she will say with you, you can provide an invitation letter with your valids address, contacts and copy of your residence permit to her instead of the hotel booking.
2. Yes, the 30 days duration is not only for filipinos, but for all of the foreigners to China.
8.
Oct. 28,2009 09:53 Reply
Ms.CN said:
HI,I am a Malaysian going to China for work. Can i check, how long do i need to wait to apply for VISA, If i go on express service? I need to apply for Business Visit , right? What sort of documents i need?
Oct. 28,2009 21:00
Mr.Ryan replied:
If you request express service, you are possibly to get the visa the same day of your application.
if you will work in China, you should apply for a Z work visa actually. In order to apply for a China Z work visa, you must find a job in China firstly, and then your employer in China will provide you work permit and visa notice form for your visa application.
9.
Oct. 27,2009 03:29 Reply
Mr.Dhil(Singapore) said:
Hello!
I'm on the midst of applying for my visa form. I am a Singaporean wanting to visit my girlfriend who is teaching in China. By default if i were to apply a tourist visa, i'll get 30days. However, my partner has wrote some sort of a letter of her residency during my period of stay. Is the letter going to help me, if I would like to opt for a longer more period of 30days? I would like to apply for 60days on my tourist visa.
Is this reasonably possible to ask for 60days? Or 30days is the only maximum per stay and I shoudn't ask for 60days as my visa will probably be denied anyway? Even with a letter from partner? Is there any viable way of getting more than 30days?
Thanks and appreciate the help :)
Oct. 27,2009 20:42
Mr.Andrea replied:
You can just apply for a single entry China tourit visa to China, and you can apply extension of stay from the local Public Security if you wat to stay over 30 days in China.
Your girlfriend's invitation letter must be stamped by the local Public Security or other authorized China units, then it would be helpful for your visa application.
10.
Oct. 26,2009 04:47 Reply
Ms.meme(philippines7544) said:
i am an auditor here in the phil. and we have a client here who owns a subsidiary in china. we were asked by our client to audit the subsidiary. it is my first time to travel outside. do i have to get a business visa or can i just get a tourist visa?
Oct. 26,2009 21:38
Mr.Leo replied:
I think you can apply for a Tourist visa.
Oct. 26,2009 22:23
Ms.meme(philippines) replied:
mr leo, what if my hotel confirmation are reserved by the client?