China Visa
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, Mexico, Brazil … Also, the travel scope has been widen to 24 provinces of China and crossing provincial boundaries is allowed.
Do I need a visa for China travel?
Before working out your China travel plan, it is important to check whether you are covered by the visa-free policies in China.
Citizens of 38 countries, including France, Germany, and Italy can travel to China without a visa and stay for as long as 30 days. Mutual Visa Exemption between China and 26 countries including Singapore, Thailand, Qatar and UAE stipulates citizens of these countries stay in China for less than 30 days/ 90 days every 180 days without visa.
For a majority of foreign visitors from other countries, the visa is obligatory, even if you hold a US, UK, or Canadian passport. However, if you meet the requirements, you may still enjoy visa-free travel by taking advantage of favorable visa-free schemes. Currently, visa-free transit options ranging from 24 to 240 hours have been adopted in quite a number of China's major tourist destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou, enabling tourists to take a short tour in China.
240-hour visa-free transit | For 54 countries | Available in 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities including Guangdong, Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Chengdu, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Dalian, Shenyang, Chengdu, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Chongqing, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang ... |
24-hour Direct Transit | For almost all countries | Available in most China ports |
If you wish to plan a longer stay, a China visa should be obtained.
See more about: Do I Need A Visa for Guangzhou If Traveling from Hong Kong?
How to apply for China visa?
Step 1: Collect all the documents you need, including a passport valid for at least six months and with blank pages and a fully type-written China visa application form. If applying for a tourist visa, round-trip tickets and hotel bookings are also required. If you have booked a tour with a China agency, they will issue you with an invitation letter, which will be of great help to smooth the process.
Step 2: Make an appoinment with Chinese embassy, consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) and submit all documents at the appoinmented time.
Step 3: Collect your passport and visa on the date shown on the pick-up slip and pay the fee. You may be required to pay the fee when submitting the application.
How much does a China visa cost?
The China visa fee is determined by factors such as your nationality, required number of entries, and whether you use express services. Here is a price schedule for your reference.
China Travel Visa Types | US Citizens | Canadian Citizens | UK Citizens | Australian Citizens |
---|---|---|---|---|
Single Entry | USD 185 | CAD 142 | GBP 151 | AUD 109.5 |
Double Entries | USD 185 | CAD 142 | GBP 151 | AUD 139.5 |
Multi Entries for 6 Months | USD 185 | CAD 142 | GBP 151 | AUD 169.5 |
Multi Entries for 12 Months or Longer | USD 185 | CAD 142 | GBP 151 | AUD 229.5 |
* Click China Visa Fees to know more details.
How long does it take for China visa application?
In normal cases, the application takes four working days to process. If you use urgent service, you may get the visa on the same day you submit the application. If using express service, you need to wait for two or three working days. Should your demand for fast service get refused, it is advised to start preparing the visa early to avoid delays and complications.
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Should we qualify for the 144-hour Visa-free transit twice for 3-5 stays in Shanghai before flight to Taiwan and 3-5 days after?
Thank you.
I am flying US to HK staying 3 nights in HK, then to Taiwan, staying 7 nights in Taiwan, then to Shanghai, staying 3 nights, then to Osaka Japan, then back to US. Do I qualify for 144 hour transit visa?
I am US citizen and I am going home Vietnam in December 2019. I join a China tour from Vietnam but i purchase a tour from California, . Can I apply a China Visa from US?
thank you