
5 Steps to Apply for a Tourist Visa for China
- 1. Prepare your passport and ensure its validity is no less than six months.
- 2. Book round-trip tickets and hotels, and print the booking records. ...
- 3. Complete the application form. ...
- 4. Submit the above documents to the Chinese embassy / consulate or CVASC which has jurisdiction in your residence area.
- 5. Collect your passport and visa on the appointed date and pay the fee.
Full Answer
How does a foreigner apply for a visa in China?
- A passport with at least 6 months validity
- A formal application form
- A passport photo
- A letter of invitation from your host institution or company
- A medical examination certificate
How far in advance can I apply for China visa?
The general advice on the forum is just get it on arrival, there no advantage to getting it in advance and it's much less hassle to get it on arrival. If you do get one in advance don't do it more than 3 months in advance of travelling because the visa is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue 2.
Do foreigners need a visa to travel to China?
While planing a trip to China, the visa topic always comes first and seriously. Indeed, China Visa is an obligatory official permission all foreign travelers normally required to obtained for a China travel.
Can I apply for a Chinese visa while abroad?
While it is possible to apply for Chinese visa outside home country, you may run into more difficulties compared with applying from your own country. Some consular offices do not accept applications from temporary visitors in the country concerned.

How do I apply for a visa to China today?
To apply for a China visa, you need to complete an application form attached with your recently-taken color photo, prepare a valid passport, and submit them along with other supporting documents to the Chinese embassy or consulate which is in charge of your residence area.
Can I apply for Chinese visa online?
1,Visit the China Online Visa Application form at https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn and fill in all the information as required. After filling in, print out the confirmation page and the completed COVA form .
How do I get a visa for China in 2022?
Document RequirementsPassport with a minimum of 6-month validity and at least 3 blank visa pages, although it's always better to have more, given the number of visas and entry/exit stamps you'll receive.Copy of the details' page on your passport.10 x passport photo as per China visa photo requirements.More items...
How long does it take to get a visa to China?
What is the duration to get a visa to go to China? On a general note, a Chinese visa will take 6-8 business days if you choose the standard processing time. The duration to get your Chinese visa can be as fast as 3 days if you choose a rush service, or with express service it could take between 4 to 5 business days.
How much does a Chinese visa cost?
$140China visa fees vary enormously according to your nationality, the number of entries required, the country you are applying in, and whether you want an express service. Generally the cost is $140 for an American citizen, and for citizens of other countries, the fee ranges from $30 to $90.
How much is China visa fee?
Number of EntryU.S. CitizensCitizens of Third CountriesSingle Entry$140$30Double Entries$140$45Multiple Entries for 6 Months$140$60Multiple Entries for 12 Months or more$140$90
Is China visa available now?
China's Embassy in India has updated its COVID-19 visa policy after a hiatus of two years. Reportedly, China has now lifted the visa ban imposed on Indians, and announced that it plans to provide visas to Indian professionals and their families, who have not been able to travel back to China due to the pandemic.
Is China issuing visas right now?
China has restarted the visa application process for Indian nationals after a hiatus of more than 18 months as it had effectively banned visa for Indians and flights to and from India since November 2020.
Did China cancel all visas?
In view of the rapid global spread of COVID-19, China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry of foreign nationalities with currently valid visas or residence permits, as of 28th March 2020 0:00 am. Entry of foreign nationalities with APEC Business Travel Cards will be suspended as well.
Do you need to make an appointment to get a Chinese visa?
Yes,it is compulsory to make appointmentin in advance and submit the application to the Visa Centre during the period of time as you appointed online.
Is it easy to get a Chinese visa?
The application for the Chinese Tourist 10-year Visa is really easy. It has only three steps: The first step will ask you to fill in your general information. You also need to choose the processing time from the options mentioned above.
How long can I stay in China with a tourist visa?
30 daysTourism in China requires a visa and is typically a single entry visa with a stay duration of 30 days. US citizens may be eligible for a 10-year multiple entry visa. The tourism visa requires your passport to be valid for at least 6 months and it must have at least two blank pages.
Is China visa available now?
China's Embassy in India has updated its COVID-19 visa policy after a hiatus of two years. Reportedly, China has now lifted the visa ban imposed on Indians, and announced that it plans to provide visas to Indian professionals and their families, who have not been able to travel back to China due to the pandemic.
What documents are needed to apply for Chinese visa?
1. Basic DocumentsBasic Documents. (1) Passport. Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with at least two blank visa pages and a photocopy of the passport's data page. ... Supporting Documents. Tourist Visa (L) ... Special Notes.
Is it easy to get a Chinese visa?
The application for the Chinese Tourist 10-year Visa is really easy. It has only three steps: The first step will ask you to fill in your general information. You also need to choose the processing time from the options mentioned above.
Did China cancel all visas?
In view of the rapid global spread of COVID-19, China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry of foreign nationalities with currently valid visas or residence permits, as of 28th March 2020 0:00 am. Entry of foreign nationalities with APEC Business Travel Cards will be suspended as well.
How Do You Get a Visa for China?
The visa a traveler needs depends on their citizenship, purpose of trip and the length of their stay. Currently, there are only 17 countries that are exempt from applying for a China visa to travel to Mainland China. However, the country does waive visas if the traveler meets specific requirements and is traveling to certain regions.
How long does it take to get a Chinese visa?
Generally speaking, if the applicant meets all the requirements, has all the necessary documents and holds a passport with at least six months validity and two blank pages it should take about four working days to get a Chinese visa.
Does China have rush visas?
Some People’s Republic of China Diplomatic Missions offer rush service, which speed up the processing time of a visa for China. Nonetheless, it is only available for cases of extreme urgency and depend on the approval of the Chinese Consular Office.
How to apply for a Chinese visa?
To apply for a China visa, you need to complete an application form attached with your recently-taken color photo, prepare a valid passport, and submit them along with other supporting documents to the Chinese embassy or consulate which is in charge of your residence area . Check the step-by-step guide on how to apply for a China visa below for details.
How to get a passport back from China?
Go to the place where you apply for China visa on the date appointed at the pick-up slip. Pay the fee and you will get your passport back with visa. See China Visa Fees.
What documents are needed for a visa?
Documents required for all types of visa include passport and visa application form attached with a recently-taken photo. Besides, other supporting documents are required, but they vary according to the visa type you are applying for. For instance, if you apply for a tourist L visa, the supporting documents will refer to round-trip tickets, ...
How long before a visa expires can you renew it?
The best way is to renew the current visa to a temporary visa at least 5 days before it expires. At the same time, try to find a new job, and then change the temporary visa to a work visa.
How to get a tourist visa for China?
1. Prepare your passport and ensure its validity is no less than six months. 2. Book round-trip tickets and hotels, and print the booking records. Alternatively, book a tour from a travel agency and get the invitation letter. 3.
How long is a Chinese passport valid?
1. Your passport, which should be valid for at least six months. 2. A complete Chinese Tourist Visa Application Form attached with your passport style photo. 3. Round-trip tickets and hotel reservations or an invitation letter from from a travel agency in China. 4.
How Long Does It Take for the Application?
It normally takes only four working days. In case you are in a hurry, you may apply for the expedited services like same day collection service or 2-3 day collection service. Of course, such services require an additional fee.
How to get a Chinese visa?
The ways to apply for a Chinese Visa differ from countries and visa types. Currently, no one can apply for and get a Chinese Visa just through the Internet. However, if you are in the 2 following cases, you can complete the application form online in advance, and book an appointment online for offline submission. That would save you much time, avoid long queues.
What is required for a Chinese visa?
1. A printed completed China Visa Application Form is always obligatory for all foreign applicants, whether you fill in the form through online systems of Chinese Embassy or China Visa Application Service Center. A qualified photo is also an crucial requirement.
What to do if you lost your China visa?
If you lost the all the electronic record, you can log on the China Visa Application Service Center website (www.visaforchina.org), use your Application Form ID and phone number to manage your appointment, cancel or reschedule a submission time.
What are the best places to visit in China?
If it’s your first time travel to China, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Guilin are the top recommended destinations with best representative tourism attractions of. The great cultural, historical, natural landscape will fulfill your dream tour to China.
Where can I go on a visa free tour of China?
If you are interested in China visa-free tour, we could also customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.
Is visa fee higher than direct submission?
* You will pay additional service fees to the visa center, while visa fees is charged by the embassy. So the totally cost is higher than direct submission to the embassies.
When to Apply for a China Visa?
It is recommended to apply for a China visa one or two months before your departure date. But do not get it too early because it is valid for only three months from the date of issue.
Where to Submit the Application and Collect My Chinese Visa?
Applicants can go to the Chinese embassy, consulate, or China Visa Application Center to submit documents for the visa personally or entrust others or travel agencies. If needed, applicants need to go to the embassy or consulate-general to have a personal interview or sign application materials. Applying for a China visa through professional visa agencies like VisaHQ.com will cost extra but make things simple.
How to Renew or Extend My China Visa?
But if you have entered China, you can apply to the local Exit and Entry Administration under the Public Security authority for a change in visa type or an extension of stay or validity.
How to get a visa for China?
You can find your nearest Chinese consulate, embassy, or visit a China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC).
What is a business visa type in China?
Are you visiting China for your current job? Business visa type F is for those visiting for non-commercial reasons on behalf of their employer, like conferences, scientific research, or cultural exchange, while business visa type M is available for those involved in trade or commercial purposes while in the country.
How long does it take to get a visa?
Usually it takes 4-5 business days to process, although times vary, so prepare accordingly. Keep in mind you won’t want to apply too early, as the visa is only valid for 90/180 days depending on whether it’s for single or double entry. If you apply 1-2 months in advance you should be golden!
How long does a work visa last in China?
Valid for 3 months, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit within 30 days, and this residency permit will actually determine how long you are able to stay.
How long does it take to get a temporary residence permit in China?
Student visas have similar fees as other types of visas, and X1 visa holders should apply for a temporary residence permit within 30 days of arrival. It’s important to note that you cannot work while on a China student visa.
How long can a US citizen stay in China?
So, what types of visas exist and how do you apply for a China visa as a US citizen? Most likely, you’ll want an L-Visa, or tourist visa that allows a single entry with a stay for up to 30 days. However, as a US citizen, you could also apply for a multiple-entry 10-year visa, which may be worth it if you plan on bouncing around Asia or spending more time in the country (understandable, there’s a lot to explore!).
Who can submit your application for you?
A friend, family member, or agency can even submit your application for you if needed; what is really important is the accuracy of your application and the supporting documentation you submit.
How long is a X1 visa valid?
This visa is a multiple-entry and is valid for up to 5 years .
Can a S1 visa stay in China?
S1: Holders of this visa can stay in China for a long time. This visa is issued to the dependents of people who have a work visa and a student visa. Dependents include spouses and children under the age of 18.
How to get a visa extension?
Apply for a visa extension from your local Entry/Exit Bureau before attempting to leave the country. Do not expect your request to be expedited, so apply ahead of time.
What provinces are in the consular district of China?
This consular district includes: the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning.
What are the criminal laws of China?
Certain provisions of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China – such as “social order” crimes (Article 293) and crimes involving “endangering state security” and “state secrets” (Article 102 to 113) – are ill-defined and can be interpreted by the authorities arbitrarily and situationally.
How long is a multiple entry visa?
Apply for a ten-year multiple entry visa, useful for repeated travel, or trips to Hong Kong or Macau with returns to China.
Is China safe to visit?
For most visitors, China remains a very safe country. Petty street crime is the most common safety concern for U.S. citizens. Training, capability, and responsiveness of Chinese authorities varies by region and even city. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General have no law enforcement authority and may not represent U.S. citizens in either criminal or civil legal matters. To ensure your safety and security in China, you should:
Can you travel to China with prescriptions?
Medication: If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to ensure the medication is legal in China. Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with the prescription. Many commonly-used U.S. drugs and medications are not available in China, and counterfeit, low-quality knockoffs are prevalent. If you try to have medications sent to you from outside China, you may have problems getting them released by Chinese Customs and/or you may have to pay high customs duties.
Is driving dangerous in China?
Road Conditions and Safety: Traffic safety is generally poor and driving can be dangerous, though rules, regulations, and conditions vary greatly throughout China.
