China Visa
Update: China announced on November 22, 2024, that a 30-day visa-free policy will be implemented for citizens of nine additional countries, namely Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Estonia, Montenegro, Malta, North Macedonia, Latvia and Japan which will take effect from November 30, 2024. At present, citizens from 63 countries can enter China visa-free.- 24-Hour Transit Without Visa
- 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- 144-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 Consulates