Apply for China Visa in a Third Country

It’s a common scene that travelers need to obtain China visas in a country which is not their home country, usually called a third country.
 

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. In some cases having a visa for that country is considered OK, but this might be of no help if you are in a country where you do not require one.

There is no simple answer to this issue, nor is it clear exactly why this rule exists. The first option is to try at every Chinese consulate en route in the hope that one will grant you a China visa. Some people may courier passport and application to a friend or agent in their own country to apply for China visa, but this will be in vain because the applicant is required to be physically in the application country.
 

1. Passport with a remaining validity of six months and blank visa pages
2. A completed China Visa Application Form
3. A recent photo taken in latest six months; 48mm x 33mm for a paper photo and a digital photo from 354×472 pixels to 420×560 pixels
4. Proof of legal stay or residency in the third country, which can be your visa, residence permit, student certificate or employment permit in the country
5. Other documents supporting your reason for the intended travel, such as travel itinerary, round-trip tickets, or an invitation letter from a China travel agency
 

Hong Kong and Macau are considered as foreign territory on this regard so they are considered as 'third regions'.

It’s possible to apply for a Chinese visa in Hong Kong or Macau, but maybe for shorter duration of stay compared with applying from your home country. If you have an ID card or long-term visa there, it may facilitate the application. Notably, foreign HK residents (except for foreign domestic helpers) can now apply for a long-term China visa with a validity of up to 5 years for business, tourism, family visits and exchange visits. 

Generally speaking, you can only get single or double entry China visa if you are visitors in Hong Kong without HK ID Card; if you have previous entries into mainland or you are Hong Kong student/work visa holders, you possibly can get a multiple-entry visa to mainland. The same rule applies to Macau.

As there is chance that your application may get refused, here TravelChinaGuide advises that you had better arrange Chinese visa in advance in your resident country to reduce the risk of visa refusal. If you have to apply from HK or Macau, you need to go to the China Visa Application Center in Hong Kong or Macau.
 

Address: 20th Floor, Capital Center, 151 Gloucester Road, Wanchai
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 16:00 from Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
Telephone: 852-67977165
Email: hongkongcenter@visaforchina.org
 

Address: Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Nam Kwong Building, 1/F, 223-225, Macao
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday (except for public holidays and typhoon signal No.8 or above)
Application submission: 9:00 to 15:00
Passport collection: 9:00 to 16:00 (for Express service: 11:00 to 16:00)
Tel: 87998117 (9:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00)
Fax: 87998119
E-mail: macaocenter@visaforchina.org
 

 Visa Service Fee Charged by the Visa Center

 The total fee = visa fee + visa service fee of the visa center

 Note: Foreigners residing in Taiwan can apply for China visa either from Hong Kong or Macau, or from their home country.
 

How to Apply for a China Visa
How to Apply a China Visa in Hong Kong
China Visa Application Requirements