China Visa
Update 1: From November 30, 2024, a 30-day visa-free policy has been implemented for most European countries and Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, Singapore, UAE ... At present, citizens from 64 countries can enter China visa-free. Update 2: China has upgraded the original 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit for 54 countries including the UK, the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico … Also, the travel scope has been widen to 24 provinces of China and crossing provincial boundaries is allowed.- 24-Hour Transit Without Visa
- 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Adopted in Guangdong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Liaoning, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, and Kunming.
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
China Visa Types
- 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.
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 granted a visa free entry or 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 China grants more and more European and Oceanian countries 30-day visa-free entry like France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Also, nationals of countries which have reached mutual visa-exemption agreements with China, like Singapore, Brunei, Qatar, Maldives, 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: Visit the Chinese embassy or consulate-general or hte CVASC which all provide walk-in service, 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 4: 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 ConsulatesRecommended Tours
- Last updated on Dec. 19, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on China Visa
Asked by Miles from UK | Nov. 27, 2024 06:52
Reply
ReplyVisa Dates - will expire when im there
I have a M Visa with 90 days on it, i am due to travel again to China next March, and leave early April. However my VISA expires 30th March.
Is this OK, or do i need a new visa that covers the entire planned trip??
Is this OK, or do i need a new visa that covers the entire planned trip??
Answers (1)
Answered by Bonnie | Nov. 27, 2024 19:46
0
0Reply
00ReplyIt's OK and just make sure you enter China before 30th March.
Asked by Liz from UK | Nov. 23, 2024 03:22Reply
ReplyApplying for a 24 hour visa
Hello, we are flying from the UK on route to Auckland with a stop over at Guangzhou airport, can we apply for a 24 hour transit visa once we arrive in China or do we need to print off the visa BEFORE we fly. Like wise we will be following the same procedure on our return flight to the UK. We have done very little travelling and feel a little daunted by it all and would appreciate your feedback.
Answers (1)
Answered by Candice | Nov. 25, 2024 00:2600Reply
00ReplyYou don't need to print any thing and do not need a visa for the stopover less than 24h as you are covered naturally by the 24h visa free transit.
Asked by Abdul Gani from INDONESIA | Nov. 12, 2024 15:23Reply
ReplyDouble entry visa China-mongolia-china
Hi, so i intend to go to Mongolia thru China by this route: Indonesia - Beijing - Erlian - (land border) Mongolia - (land border) Erlian - Tianjin - Indonesia. I need a double entry visa but here are my concerns:
1 Do I need to show 4 flight tickets when applying for visa? I want to enter and exit Mongolia by land within 10 days.
2. How do I explain in the itinerary that I will leave China by land then reenter thru the same border?
3. Is this scenario plausible / acceptable?
Thank you
1 Do I need to show 4 flight tickets when applying for visa? I want to enter and exit Mongolia by land within 10 days.
2. How do I explain in the itinerary that I will leave China by land then reenter thru the same border?
3. Is this scenario plausible / acceptable?
Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Nov. 12, 2024 22:4910Reply
10Reply1. You don't need to show 4 flights. I think the tickets you arrive in and leave China are enough.
2. Yes, you'd better do this because it tells why you need two entries.
3. It's acceptable.
2. Yes, you'd better do this because it tells why you need two entries.
3. It's acceptable.
Asked by Ray from USA | Nov. 11, 2024 10:57Reply
Reply144 hours transit VISA free questions
I'm flying in HK and will go to Macau this Dec. I am planning to take the Ferry from Macau to Shekou Port for the 144 hours transit VISA and then from Shenzhen to HK. I have some follow up questions. 1/.When arriving at Shekou Port for the 144 VISA free transit, do we just go to the regular custom counter (international visitors) or is there a special counter we must attend first? 2/. If for some reason the 144 VISA free transit is not granted, there is still a VOA VISA offering at Shekou Port right (for backup and what hours of operation?) anything we need to pay attention to? 3/. When we leave Shenzhen to HK, we were originally planning to either get a private shuttle from Shenzhen to HK, if I have my private shuttle reservation confirmed, is that good enough for proof of return transit? (I also assumed, I do not have to exit China from the same port we enter (Shekou Port)). Our other plan is to go through Luohu and take the subway to HK (would I even able to pre-purchase a subway ticket from Luohu to HK? or do I need to purchase an express train ticket from Futian to Hong Kong? Thank you once again for your advise.
Answers (1)
Answered by Marcy | Nov. 11, 2024 22:0300Reply
00ReplyUpon arrival at Shekou, you will go through the customs check first, then to the immigration counter to fill in the entry card, then fingerprints collecting, and follow the bilingual signs to the 144 transit area with your ticket to leave for HK and hotel reservation. If the 144 is not granted, then you can apply for the 5-day voa there at a cost of CNY 130. The office hours of Shekou VOA office are 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30. The private shuttle reservation usually will be accepted and you don't have to exit through the same port. You can't pre-purchase the subway ticket. I think the train to HK is better to be a proof.
Asked by marivic from PHILIPPINES | Oct. 30, 2024 01:09Reply
ReplyCan i go out of the airport for long layover
hi i'm travelling manila -kunming- manila round trip,
from mnl to kunming i have a long layover in beijing - about 20hrs
from Kunming on my way back to mnl, about the same 20hrs layover in Chengdu
Can i go out of the airport and spend my layovers in Beijing and Chengdu
I have a single entry china visa btw
from mnl to kunming i have a long layover in beijing - about 20hrs
from Kunming on my way back to mnl, about the same 20hrs layover in Chengdu
Can i go out of the airport and spend my layovers in Beijing and Chengdu
I have a single entry china visa btw
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Oct. 30, 2024 19:4420Reply
20ReplyYes, you can after the border inspection.