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Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Completing a Chinese Visa Application Form

Mistakes on China Visa Application Forms, whether serious or minor, can cause your visa to be rejected or delayed. Here we list the top 10 mistakes to avoid when completing a Chinese visa application form.
 

1. Submitting An Outdated Application Form

Generally, all applicants should fill in the application form on the China Online Visa Application System, print it out and sign it. You can also find it on the official website of the Chinese embassy / consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). The previous versions of China Visa Application Forms are not accepted any more. 
 

2. Handwriting Your Application Form

A handwritten Chinese visa application form is no longer accepted. You have to fill it online as mentioned above. If you find any mistakes in your form after it is printed, you have to start a new form with personal information based on previously completed applications on the computer and make a new printout. Correction by pen is not allowed. Therefore, it is necessary to check carefully before printing.
 

3. Taking Your Own Passport Photo

A home-made passport photo does not meet the requirements of the Chinese visa consular offices, which may lead to the denial of your China visa. Therefore, it is best to have the photo taken at a professional photoshop.
 

4. Provide Wrong or Indefinite Information

Make sure all the information you provide on the application form is correct and clear. If there is any wrong or indefinite information, your visa might be turned down.
 

5. Forgetting to Sign Your Name and Date

As mentioned above, the form must be completed on a computer except that you should sign your name and date by pen. After printing out your form, remember to sign your name and date. Note that you are supposed to sign the application form by yourself, even if the form is completed by an agent or someone else. For minor children, their parents can sign on their behalf.
 

6. Using Acronyms or Abbreviations in the Employer Name Section

Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations for the company you are working for when filling out Section 3.3B Name of employer. It makes it difficult for the consular officers to figure out who your employer is.
 

7. Using a PO Box Address in the Home Address Section

In Section 5.1 Current residence address, you need to provide a physical street address for your home rather than a PO Box address because it's not required for mailing purposes.
 

8. Selecting a Travel Purpose That Doesn't Match Supporting Documents

Different visa types are available for different travel purposes and each visa type has its own set of supporting application documents. If you tick "(L)Tourism" for purpose in Section 2.1A, then you need to submit your travel itinerary, hotel and flight bookings, or an invitation letter from China, etc. If you tick "(Z)Work" for purpose, you need to provide a work permit issued from China. The documents for a tourist visa won't work in this situation.
 

9. Demanding an Inappropriate Number of Entries and Duration of Stay

For first-time tourist visa applicants, we do not recommend applying for multiple entries and duration of stay longer than 30 days. Otherwise, the visa might be turned down. Applicants who travel abroad often and have a good travel history in China have a better chance of approval for multiple entries and long stay duration. However, this is not an absolute because there are always unexpected outcomes.
 

10. Making Your Travel Itinerary Too Brief

When filling out Section 6.1, your Itinerary in China, please provide detailed addresses of your hotels or apartments. It's not enough to list only hotel names and city names. Also, do not skip any days in the travel itinerary, otherwise the consular officers may doubt what you will do during these days and question your intention for skipping it.

- Last updated on Dec. 12, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Completing a Chinese Visa Application Form
Asked by Norman Atwell from UNITED KINGDOM | Dec. 12, 2024 07:44Reply
I am retired.
Hi, I am a pensioner, retired about thirteen years now, one of the questions involved saying I was retired but the form also wanted me to list employer for the last five years. When I worked I was self employed. Just can’t get past it to finish. Now at the point of not going.
Answers (1)
Answered by Amy | Dec. 12, 2024 19:58
00Reply


You can tick "unemployed" for the occupation and tick "not applicable" for work experience.
Asked by Margaret Gill from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 11, 2024 01:23Reply
Printing my online form
I have downloaded my form but I don't know how to print my form
Answers (1)
Answered by Olivia | Dec. 11, 2024 19:13
00Reply


You can download the online form after filling it online and then attach a printer to your computer or laptop and print.
Asked by Judith from SOUTH AFRICA | Oct. 05, 2024 18:18Reply
Do all travel need their own application form for China visa type M
I am travelling with my colleagues do we all need to complete the forms and upload each companion or one from is enough?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lori | Oct. 07, 2024 19:35
00Reply


Everyone needs to fill in the application form.
Asked by Anne Ringrose from UNITED KINGDOM | Sep. 30, 2024 08:43Reply
Previous visas for China
I was working in China from 1982- 1985. I think I had a visa to enter from Hong Kong but I don’t have any details of it as it so long ago.
How can I complete the section on previous visa details?
Answers (1)
Answered by Marcy | Oct. 07, 2024 19:44
00Reply


Normally the old China visa within 5 years is helpful to your present application. Considering your previous visa was issued so many years ago and you don't remember details, then it's not a must to fill in this part.
Asked by MUSHTAQ AHMAD from PAKISTAN | Sep. 17, 2024 23:47Reply
HI
I AM WORKING AS GENERAL MANAGER AND MY COMPANY WANT ME TO ATTEND THE CANTON FAIR IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA. SHALL I HAVE TO PRESENT MY PERSONAL BANK STATEMENT OR COMPANY BANK STATEMENT. KINDLY REPLY ASAP.
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Sep. 18, 2024 20:55
00Reply


I see no requirements on the personal bank statement for visa application from the official.
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