China Visa
1. 15-day visa-free policy for cruise tour groups implemented on May 15, 2024! This policy is eligible to all foreigners arriving in China by cruise ship. During the stay, they can travel freely in China’s coastal regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Dalian and more. But they need to join a tour organized by a local travel agency and there should be at least 2 members in the group. At the end of the stay, they are also required to leave by the same cruise ship. 2. The 15-day visa-free policy granted to citizens of 12 countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg will be effective for one more year till end of 2025. It was previously valid till November 30, 2024.
3. Visa-free travel policy will be provided to Australia, New Zealand and Poland passport holders from July 1, 2024 till December 31, 2025.
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 Aug. 28, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China Visa
Asked by James from CANADA | Aug. 28, 2024 13:57
Reply
Reply144 hr Transit visa + ShenZhen VOA
I have 4 weeks of vacation, and my intended itinerary is as follows:
YYZ -> CAN (GuangZhou), spend 5 days (144 hr transit visa), high-speed train down to HK, spend 2 weeks in HK, meet up with friends and travel up again to GuangZhou using the ShenZhen VOA for 5 days (they have a Return Home Permit, I do not), high speed train back down again and fly out HKG -> YYZ.
The first visit seems straightforward, I just need to have a train ticket (dated?) ready. The stay in HK also seems fairly safe. The second visit up is suspect: Can I go to GuangZhou with my ShenZhen VOA? If not, what are my options? Is it cheaper to get a visa ahead of time?
YYZ -> CAN (GuangZhou), spend 5 days (144 hr transit visa), high-speed train down to HK, spend 2 weeks in HK, meet up with friends and travel up again to GuangZhou using the ShenZhen VOA for 5 days (they have a Return Home Permit, I do not), high speed train back down again and fly out HKG -> YYZ.
The first visit seems straightforward, I just need to have a train ticket (dated?) ready. The stay in HK also seems fairly safe. The second visit up is suspect: Can I go to GuangZhou with my ShenZhen VOA? If not, what are my options? Is it cheaper to get a visa ahead of time?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Aug. 28, 2024 22:52
0
0Reply
00ReplyNo, you cannot go to Guangzhou with the Shenzhen VOA which only allows you to stay in Shenzhen.
From the sharing of a previous South African traveler, it's not difficult to get a regular visa in HK and it doesn't cost too much.
From the sharing of a previous South African traveler, it's not difficult to get a regular visa in HK and it doesn't cost too much.
Asked by Millena from BRAZIL | Aug. 06, 2024 22:20Reply
ReplyGetting a VISA away from your home country
I am sailing in a ship, going to Thailand and want to go to China after that, for two weeks, but i am Brazilian, how can i get a VISA?
Answers (1)
Answered by Marcy | Aug. 07, 2024 19:1700Reply
00ReplyTo be honest, it's not easy to obtain a China visa in a third country or region if you are a short-time traveler there. Maybe you can try your luck in HK, where there is a China Visa Application Service Center.
Asked by David Felton from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 24, 2024 01:57Reply
ReplyIs a Printed Photo Also Needed After Submitting a Photo Online?
Hi
I'm confused about the photo requirements.
I have uploaded a photograph and it was accepted during the online application. Is that all I need to do or must I also provide a printed version of the same photograph when attending the appointment at the visa centre?
David
I'm confused about the photo requirements.
I have uploaded a photograph and it was accepted during the online application. Is that all I need to do or must I also provide a printed version of the same photograph when attending the appointment at the visa centre?
David
Answers (1)
Answered by Daniel | Jul. 24, 2024 19:0400Reply
00ReplyA printed version of the same one online is needed at the visa center.
Asked by Andrew from AUSTRALIA | Jul. 20, 2024 23:47Reply
ReplyHohot Airport
Hi, is Hohot an approved airport for visa free arrival,( coming from Mongolia) for an Australian passport holder? thanks Andrew
Answers (1)
Answered by Daniel | Jul. 22, 2024 00:5600Reply
00ReplyYes, with the 15-day visa free, you can enter through any open port.
Asked by Afonso Azenha from PORTUGAL | Jul. 12, 2024 20:39Reply
ReplyX2 Visa Extension for Tourism?
Hi, I'm studying in China for 30 days, but I wanted to stay here for longer, after my studies end, so I can do some more tourism (my family is visiting after I finish my studies, and they've already booked everything, from hotels to flights, accounting for me). However, my X2 Visa is valid for only 30 days, which means I would need to extend it, somehow, for me to be able to stay and do tourism with my family. I've asked in the Immigration Administration about this and they mentioned the only way I could extend the visa is if my University in China (BIT) could issue a statement saying I would be staying/studying for longer. In the meantime, I've asked them about this and they just said no, without elaborating much further. What can I do in this situation?
In my head, it would make sense to get another tourism (L) visa for the final days, but I'm not sure this is even possible (they mentioned something about it not being possible to have 2 visas simultaneously, but I don't see why that is a problem...)
Anyways, does anyone know what the best course of action is, in these circumstances?
(Extra info: I'm from a country which doesn't have access to the 144h or 15 day visa-free grace period, unfortunately. )
In my head, it would make sense to get another tourism (L) visa for the final days, but I'm not sure this is even possible (they mentioned something about it not being possible to have 2 visas simultaneously, but I don't see why that is a problem...)
Anyways, does anyone know what the best course of action is, in these circumstances?
(Extra info: I'm from a country which doesn't have access to the 144h or 15 day visa-free grace period, unfortunately. )
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Jul. 15, 2024 00:2100Reply
00ReplyFeel sorry to tell you that you do need a document from your university to apply for an extension as the purpose of the extension should be the the same with the visa type which is a study visa. As you want to travel, you cannot apply for an extension of a study visa.
Another solution is trying to apply for a temporary stay visa, the tourism type. In the case, I think you don't need any document from the university, instead provide your flight ticket and accommodation proof for the travel in China. Maybe you can consult the local immigration center to know the possibility of the solution.
Another solution is trying to apply for a temporary stay visa, the tourism type. In the case, I think you don't need any document from the university, instead provide your flight ticket and accommodation proof for the travel in China. Maybe you can consult the local immigration center to know the possibility of the solution.