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Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Completing a Chinese Visa Application Form

Mistakes on China Visa Application Forms, whether serious or minor, can cause your visa to be rejected or delayed. Here we list the top 10 mistakes to avoid when completing a Chinese visa application form.
 

1. Submitting An Outdated Application Form

Generally, all applicants should fill in the application form on the China Online Visa Application System, print it out and sign it. You can also find it on the official website of the Chinese embassy / consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). The previous versions of China Visa Application Forms are not accepted any more. 
 

2. Handwriting Your Application Form

A handwritten Chinese visa application form is no longer accepted. You have to fill it online as mentioned above. If you find any mistakes in your form after it is printed, you have to start a new form with personal information based on previously completed applications on the computer and make a new printout. Correction by pen is not allowed. Therefore, it is necessary to check carefully before printing.
 

3. Taking Your Own Passport Photo

A home-made passport photo does not meet the requirements of the Chinese visa consular offices, which may lead to the denial of your China visa. Therefore, it is best to have the photo taken at a professional photoshop.
 

4. Provide Wrong or Indefinite Information

Make sure all the information you provide on the application form is correct and clear. If there is any wrong or indefinite information, your visa might be turned down.
 

5. Forgetting to Sign Your Name and Date

As mentioned above, the form must be completed on a computer except that you should sign your name and date by pen. After printing out your form, remember to sign your name and date. Note that you are supposed to sign the application form by yourself, even if the form is completed by an agent or someone else. For minor children, their parents can sign on their behalf.
 

6. Using Acronyms or Abbreviations in the Employer Name Section

Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations for the company you are working for when filling out Section 3.3B Name of employer. It makes it difficult for the consular officers to figure out who your employer is.
 

7. Using a PO Box Address in the Home Address Section

In Section 5.1 Current residence address, you need to provide a physical street address for your home rather than a PO Box address because it's not required for mailing purposes.
 

8. Selecting a Travel Purpose That Doesn't Match Supporting Documents

Different visa types are available for different travel purposes and each visa type has its own set of supporting application documents. If you tick "(L)Tourism" for purpose in Section 2.1A, then you need to submit your travel itinerary, hotel and flight bookings, or an invitation letter from China, etc. If you tick "(Z)Work" for purpose, you need to provide a work permit issued from China. The documents for a tourist visa won't work in this situation.
 

9. Demanding an Inappropriate Number of Entries and Duration of Stay

For first-time tourist visa applicants, we do not recommend applying for multiple entries and duration of stay longer than 30 days. Otherwise, the visa might be turned down. Applicants who travel abroad often and have a good travel history in China have a better chance of approval for multiple entries and long stay duration. However, this is not an absolute because there are always unexpected outcomes.
 

10. Making Your Travel Itinerary Too Brief

When filling out Section 6.1, your Itinerary in China, please provide detailed addresses of your hotels or apartments. It's not enough to list only hotel names and city names. Also, do not skip any days in the travel itinerary, otherwise the consular officers may doubt what you will do during these days and question your intention for skipping it.

- Last updated on Dec. 06, 2023 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Completing a Chinese Visa Application Form
Asked by James from USA | Mar. 16, 2024 17:04Reply
Online L visa sent to wrong consulate in USA
I submitted our visa applications online to wrong consulate office from Colorado after following erroneous advise online. Is this an issue to apply via Chicago or will 2 submissions in system create a problem?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Mar. 19, 2024 01:26
00Reply


You can contact the consular office of Colorado, state your situation and ask for cancelling visa application, then prepare application materials again and submit to Chicago.
Asked by Mel De Jesus from USA | Jan. 16, 2024 10:47Reply
Parents information on application
Is it okay to put down "Not Applicable" for parents information? Both my parents are deceased...
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Jan. 16, 2024 22:17
00Reply


Yes, it is.
Asked by Mel De Jesus from USA | Jan. 16, 2024 10:45Reply
What do you put down for "Travel Agency in China"
What do you put down for "Travel Agency in China" and "Travel Agency License Number" on visa application. Our group tour is from Alexander and Roberts and it does not show any license number. I think they will hire local tours groups in China that will take us around. If this is the case, I don't know that information
Answers (1)
Answered by Diana | Jan. 16, 2024 22:16
00Reply


It is better to confirm with the travel agency and I think they will give you an answer.
Asked by WK from USA | Jan. 15, 2024 10:26Reply
Why do they need my parents or children's information if I'm the only one traveling for business?
Why in the world does China need my entire families information when I'm the only person traveling? This increases the risk of stolen personal information or fraud.
Answers (1)
Answered by Maria | Jan. 15, 2024 17:14
00Reply


Well, we don't know the reason but that's the rule, and hope it can be changed in a better direction.
Asked by john from UNITED KINGDOM | Dec. 04, 2023 03:32Reply
Parents Information
Do i need to enter parents information? Have not talked to father in years and mother has passed away. Can I select the 'Not applicable' option safely?
Answers (3)
Answered by Jessica | Dec. 06, 2023 01:03
00Reply


Parental information is required, and failure to do so may increase the risk of visa rejection.
Answered by james | Jan. 03, 2024 03:25
00Reply


Both My Parents are deceased so is it ok to do N/A
Answered by Molly | Jan. 16, 2024 22:17
00Reply


Yes, it is.
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