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.
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 May. 15, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China Visa
Asked by Andy Hui from HONG KONG SAR | Jun. 12, 2024 23:54
Reply
ReplyCan a Japanese passport holder apply visa on arrival at Shenzhen?
If I hold Japanese passport, Can I apply visa on arrival at Shenzhen? I will visit Shenzhen for 2 to 3 days only.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Jun. 13, 2024 17:54
0
0Reply
00ReplyYes, you can.
Asked by Jennifer from CANADA | Jun. 05, 2024 11:27Reply
ReplyDestinations - Section 6.1 (J,K,L,M,N)
I am traveling to many cities in China, more than 5. When I fill in the address in Section 6.1, it's the address of the hotel I am staying, right? And for the dates, are they asking for the date I check-in and check-out of the hotel, right?
I am staying in 3 different hotels in Beijing before moving on to other cities. So in total, I will be staying in 10+ hotels. When I fill in the application form, it only lets me add 5 destinations total (so 5 hotels only). So I don't need to let them know the rest of the other hotels information?
I do have paper copies of hotels information from all the travel agencies, which I will provide to the China Visa Centre.
I am staying in 3 different hotels in Beijing before moving on to other cities. So in total, I will be staying in 10+ hotels. When I fill in the application form, it only lets me add 5 destinations total (so 5 hotels only). So I don't need to let them know the rest of the other hotels information?
I do have paper copies of hotels information from all the travel agencies, which I will provide to the China Visa Centre.
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Jun. 05, 2024 20:1900Reply
00ReplyYes, it's the hotel address and the date refers to the date you arrive and leave the city which is probably the same as the check-in and check-out date. I think you just need to fill in one hotel address which you live in on the first arrival day of the 5 cities you add. You can submit all the hotel information as a proof to support your itinerary.
Asked by Klim from UNITED STATES | May. 24, 2024 14:48Reply
ReplyWhat do I need to visit/travel to China for long duration: 6-12 months
I am a Malaysia-Chinese, hold a US passport and would like to travel China (bucket list). What do I have to do to get the proper documents and traveling around the country on the high speed train network? Can I apply for the visa in Malaysia from the China Embassy?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | May. 26, 2024 23:0600Reply
00ReplySo you are a American and a long-term resident in Malaysia? Then you can apply for a China visa at the China Visa Application Service Center. The requirements of Tourist L visa:
Passport with at least 6-month validity
Visa Application Form and Photo
Proof of legal stay or residence status
Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China.
Kindly remind that the duration of stay of a L visa usually is 15 or days, and won't be 6-12 months.
Once entering China, you can travel freely here. To ride the high speed train, your passport will be enough.
Passport with at least 6-month validity
Visa Application Form and Photo
Proof of legal stay or residence status
Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China.
Kindly remind that the duration of stay of a L visa usually is 15 or days, and won't be 6-12 months.
Once entering China, you can travel freely here. To ride the high speed train, your passport will be enough.
Asked by Emma | Apr. 23, 2024 21:11Reply
ReplyAussie expat living in Hong Kong want to day trip to Shenzhen
I am an Australian living in Hong Kong and want to visit Shenzhen just for a day trip via high speed train. Do I need a visa for this?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Apr. 24, 2024 19:3400Reply
00ReplyYou will need to apply for Shenzhen visa on arrival and by this way you cannot travel by high speed train. You can take a ferry to Shekou Port, metro trains to Luohu Port or cross border bus to Huanggang Port and apply for VOA at the ports.
If you insist on traveling by train, apply for a visa in advance at China Visa Application Service Centre in HK.
If you insist on traveling by train, apply for a visa in advance at China Visa Application Service Centre in HK.
Asked by Sethu Subramanian from SOUTH AFRICA | Mar. 01, 2024 20:23Reply
ReplyShenzen 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 19:5000Reply
00ReplyTheoretically, 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.