China Visa

China Visa

 Passport holders from 6 more countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg have been allowed to travel to China visa-free and stay for at most 15 days. This policy will be effective till November 30, 2024. 

China Visa Types

  • 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.

 

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 Washington DC, USA
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 Consulates
- Last updated on Mar. 14, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China Visa
Asked by Sethu Subramanian from SOUTH AFRICA | Mar. 01, 2024 20:23Reply
Shenzen Visa on arrival - South African Passport
Hi, I plan to visit Shenzen for attending the Sino Corrugated Trade fair from April 10-12 (3 nights and 4 days) via Hongkong, both ways. Can I take the ferry from HongKong Insternational Airport to Shekou and get a visa on arrival at Shekou? Regards
Answers (1)
Answered by Andrew | Mar. 03, 2024 19:50
00Reply


Theoretically, it is possible but there are not too much feedback from South African passport holders so it is hard to know if you can really get it. If you are lucky enough, please kindly share your experience here.
Asked by Joao from PORTUGAL | Feb. 29, 2024 23:41Reply
Hengqin Border Gate - VOA
Hi,
Is the Hengqin Border Gate processing VOA? If so, can a Portuguese passport holder obtain the Zhuhai VOA at this border gate when travelling from Macau?

Thank You!
Joao
Answers (1)
Answered by Maria | Mar. 01, 2024 00:26
00Reply


Yes, it is. You are eligible for the visa but remember to get there early as the visa office generally closes before 17:00.
Asked by SK Li from USA | Feb. 19, 2024 19:35Reply
One day trip to Shenzen
US citizen, have around ticket from US to Hong Kong. Can I visit Shenzen for a one day trip without visa? Thanks.
AL
Answers (1)
Answered by Maria | Feb. 19, 2024 19:48
00Reply


No, it is not allowed. However, you can apply for a 5-day visa on arrival at Huanggong, Shekou, or Luohu ports. The visa costs a little expensive for American passport holders, CNY 1,295 per person. The visa office only opens from 9:00-16:30 and it is better to get there as early as possible to avoid long queues.
Asked by Win from THAILAND | Feb. 18, 2024 21:40Reply
TVOW for layover at FOC or XMN?
Hi all,

We're taking a Xiamen Air flight from Hong Kong to Osaka (with a 12 hour overnight layover at FOC), and then a flight from Osaka to Bangkok (with a 16 hour overnight layover at XMN).

As we would like to spend the night at local hotel for both layovers, do we need to apply for a transit visa to get out of the airport? We've seen info online that TVOW is not offered at FOC so that worries us.

However, we happen to hold Singapore and Thai passports, which we understand both countries have visa-exemption for China starting 9 Feb 2024 and 1 Mar 2024. Does this mean we do not have to worry about procuring a transit visa for our itinerary?
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Feb. 19, 2024 18:00
00Reply


Yes, you don't need to worry about any visa problem as you can enjoy visa-free visa to China now.
Asked by Vivian Tan from SINGAPORE | Feb. 14, 2024 11:40Reply
Cruise to Shanghai
Hi,

Singaporean travelling from Singapore to Vietnam to Hong Kong and last stop is at Shanghai by cruise (1 way).
We intend to stay and play in Shanghai for a week. How long can we stay in Shanghai & do we need to apply for visa?

Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by James | Feb. 17, 2024 19:39
00Reply


Singaporean passport holders can visit China visa-free for at most 30 days. So you don't need any visa.
Ask a Question
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
NameCountryEmail