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
What is the best way to get a visa for China?
How to Apply for a China Visa Check whether you need a visa. An essential thing to do is to check whether you need a visa before starting the following process. ... Check which visa you need to get. Based on your travel purpose, determine which visa you are going to get. ... Prepare all documents needed. ... Submit the application. ... Pay the fee and pick up your visa. ...
How much does a visa to China cost?
How much does a China tourist visa cost? The fee is $140 for U.S. citizens regardless of the number of entries. Applicants can pay the fee with Visa, MasterCard, money order, cashier's check or company check. The visa office does not accept personal checks or cash.
Is it hard to get a China visa?
China had about 120 million visitors last year, that is how easy it is to get a China visa.. You can use a visa agency, there is a fee. You can try freechinavisa.org, they service the Western states, don't know if CO is covered. It has the lowest price, visa cost is same, I think about $130? but no fee, $30 postage charge for 2 passports, $20 for one passport.
How to secure a student visa for China?
- Actual passport (with two blank visa pages), plus photocopy of the name page
- Completed Visa Application Form V.2013 (handwritten forms are not acceptable)
- One passport-type photograph
- JW201 or JW202 form issued by the State Education Ministry of China (original and one photocopy)
- Admission Notice from the receiving school (original and one photocopy)
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 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.
Who Needs a Chinese Tourist Visa?
The majority of foreign nationals require a tourist visa (also known as an "L visa") to enter and visit mainland China, though a few nationalities are granted visa-free entry. L visas are easy to obtain from Chinese embassies and consulates around the world, though the visa application process in some countries has been outsourced to a local branch of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center – their website has a handy list of locations and other useful country-specific information. To avoid the tedious bureaucracy when applying in person, many people obtain a visa via a tour operator or visa agent.
How much does a China tourist visa cost?
Most tourists pay around US$35 for a single entry visa valid for 30 days from the day you enter China. Reflecting frosty relations between China and some foreign governments, UK citizens pay £151, US citizens pay US$140, Canadian citizens pay C$142, Australian citizens pay A$109 and French, German, Italian, Dutch and Spanish citizens pay €126.
How long is a Chinese visa valid for?
Regular China tourist visas are valid for 30 days and must be used within three (or six, if double-entry) months of their date of issue. Never overstay your visa: the fine is ¥500 a day, with the possibility of being deported and banned from re-entering China for the next five years. If you think you'll need to stay longer, start the process of applying for a visa extension well before your visa expires.
How long does it take to get a Chinese visa extension?
The process takes between 2 and 7 working days, the fee is ¥160 (or ¥760/500 for US/UK citizens). You can only extend your stay for as long as the duration of your original visa. You’ll need to provide your original passport, two photos and a receipt from your accommodation in the town where you are applying for your extension.
Can I extend my visa to Tibet?
Because of the complicated permit system, extending your stay in Tibet is impossible, and Xinjiang, Beijing and Shanghai can also be tricky places to extend a standard tourist visa. The Caravanistan website has some useful visa extension reports from travelers. A second extension is harder to get, and a third extension is extremely unlikely.
Can I travel to China with a passport?
Holders of passports from a handful of countries can travel visa-free to mainland China for tourism or business purposes. Citizens of Brunei, Japan and Singapore get 15 days, citizens of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Serbia, Seychelles, Tonga, and the United Arab Emirates get 30 days, citizens of Mauritius get 60 days, and citizens of Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and San Marino get 90 days.
Can I extend my Chinese visa?
Chinese visas can be extended once without too much difficulty at the Public Security Bureau (PSB) offices found in larger Chinese towns and cities, though an extension is not guaranteed. The process takes between 2 and 7 working days, the fee is ¥160 (or ¥760/500 for US/UK citizens). You can only extend your stay for as long as the duration of your original visa. You’ll need to provide your original passport, two photos and a receipt from your accommodation in the town where you are applying for your extension.
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!).
Is China a country?
China is a vast, ethnically diverse country of many languages, peoples, and cultures making it an extraordinary place to travel, work, and explore. If you’re planning on visiting this remarkable country, you’ll want to do your research and prepare for your trip. The most important piece of prep is undoubtedly the Chinese visa, and how you go about securing one. Luckily, there are many resources to guide you in how to get a visa for China.
How to apply for a visa for China?
How to Apply for a Visa. Step 1: Embassy. Step 2: Application. Step 3: Submission. Use the navigation links above to jump to a specific section, or continue to scroll to read more about getting a China visa for US citizens.
How long does it take to get a visa for China?
According to the Chinese embassy website, normal visa processing time should be 4 business days, but Covid has made things a bit less “normal”. In my experience, it’s always been closer to 5-7 business days.
How long does a passport last in China?
U.S. Passport: The passport must have 6 months of validity, measured from the date at which you are scheduled to land in China. It also needs to have at least two (2) blank pages in the passport – one for the visa and one for the customs stamps.
What is a M visa in China?
China M Visa (Business): For those doing business, you will need to present the invitation letter issued by your Chinese trade partner or fair organizer on the Chinese side.
How long does it take to get a Chinese passport?
This means that you will have to personally submit your application to the appropriate Chinese embassy and then wait for 2-7 days to pick it up from the embassy.
What test is required for dual negatives in China?
Dual Negative Tests: Any person entering China at this point will require proof of dual negative results for COVID-19 (nucleic acid test and serological test).
Does the Chinese embassy accept cash?
The Chinese embassy does not accept cash or personal checks. **Note**: This cost is accurate as of December 2020. While visa application fees don’t change often, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Check with your nearest Chinese consulate in the United States to find out the most current visa fees.
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, you must visit a Chinese embassy, consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Center in person. If you cannot get there yourself, you can have a travel agent or a visa agency apply for you. You cannot send your documents through the mail.
How long does it take to get a visa for China?
While it usually only takes several days for Chines visa applications to be processed, it’s best to apply 1 – 2 months before you plan to depart on your trip.
What is the most important factor in figuring out which type of visa you need?
The reason for your trip and how long you intend to stay will be the most important determining factor in figuring out which type of visa you need. Make sure you apply for the right one – especially if you intend to study, work, or conduct business while you’re there.
What is a tourist visa in China?
The tourist visa, or L Visa , is for anyone who wants to visit China for touring and sightseeing. If you’re considering moving to China, taking a trip there as a tourist is a great way to help you decide if you want to live there for an extended period of time.
How long is a Z visa valid in China?
The Z Visa is only valid for 30 days, so when you arrive in China you’ll also need to apply for a temporary residence permit.
How to decide which travel document to apply for?
When deciding which one to apply for, think about the main reason for your trip and decide how long you plan to stay there. Different types of travel documents are valid for different lengths of time.
What is a Z visa?
The Chinese work visa is also known as the Z Visa, and it’s for people who intend to work and get paid in China. It is not for people conducting business and getting paid by their own employers in their homeland.
When Do I Need A Visa for China?
After checking the visa free policy of China, it’s clear that you are required to hold a China visa to enter China if they don’t meet any one situations above. You should know mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau own different visa regulations, and Tibet requires special travel document for tourism. So you need to apply for relevant visa based on your purpose, destination and duration of your visit to China.
How long does it take to get a visa for China?
The processing time differs from visa types. Normally, it takes about 4 to 5 business days for applicant to get a China Visa, and the accurate collection date will be noted on the pick-up slip. If you submit China Tourist Visa (L Visa) on Monday, you can pick up on Thursday. Check carefully the visa type, duration of stay, number of entries if they are issued correctly or not, after getting your passport back. Double check the validity when you plan to enter China, otherwise you will be denied entry.
What are the different types of Chinese visas?
Read different types of Chinese Visa to figure out which kind of visa you should apply for. Determine if you are suitable applicants for each visa type, by judging your purpose of visiting is for travel, business, work, transit, family reunion and etc or not. China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is for visitor going to China for tourism, F Visa is for exchanges, study tour, Business Visa (M Visa) is for commercial and trade, Student Visa (X Visa) is for studying in China. More Chinese Visa Types >>
Where can I stay without a visa?
for 6 days without a visa, or have a 3 days visa-free stay in Xian, Guilin, Chongqing, Harbin and else cities.
How long can a US citizen stay in Hong Kong?
US, Australian, Canadian, Japanese Citizens can enter and visit Hong Kong for 90 days, British Citizens can stay for 180 days without a visa. Indian Citizens are required to submit application online and register themselves before entry, and then Indians can stay in Hong Kong visa free for 14 days.
What provinces are in the consular district of China?
This consular district includes: the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning.
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 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.
