How to Apply for a China Tourist Visa

Before embarking on your China trip, it’s necessary to obtain a Chinese tourist visa, aka L visa or travel visa, unless that you are eligible for China's visa-free policies. No matter you will join a group tour or travel independently, you need to apply for the visa on your own in most cases, but there is a slight difference in the two scenarios.
 

Sample of China Tourist Visa

If you book a tour from a China agency like TravelChinaGuide, the process might be easier. You can ask for an invitation letter from the agency, which is of great help in visa application and can improve the chance for visa approval to some degree.
 

Round-trip tickets and hotel reservations are required for tourist visa application for independent travelers. Submit as detailed supporting documents as you can to justify your travel itinerary. Usually the hotel bookings should cover your whole stay length in China and be consistent with the dates of arrival and departure shown on your tickets, otherwise your visa may get rejected.
 

Generally the required documents include:
1. Your passport, which should be valid for at least six months
2. A complete Chinese Visa Application Form
3. Round-trip tickets and hotel reservations or an invitation letter from from a travel agency in China
4. For some first-time applicants or citizens from certain countries, they may need to provide extra documents such as bank statement, employee certificate and tax return form to prove their financial status.

China Tourist Visa Requirements

1. Prepare your passport and ensure its validity is no less than six months.
2. Book round-trip tickets and hotels, and print the booking records. Alternatively, book a tour from a travel agency and get the invitation letter.
3. Complete the application form online. (See 8 Tips for Filling out Chinese Visa Application Form)
4. Book an appoinment with Chinese embassy / consulate or CVASC which has jurisdiction in your residence area and submit the above documents at the appointed time
5. Collect your passport and visa on the appointed date and pay the fee.
 

 

US Citizens	Canadian Citizens	UK Citizens	Australian Citizens
USD 185	CAD 142	GBP 151	AUD 109.5

Here we only list single entry tourist visa fees for some major countries. Click on China Visa Fees for more information.
 

It normally takes only four working days. In case you are in a hurry, you may apply for the expedited services like same day collection service or 2-3 day collection service. Of course, such services require an additional fee.
 

It's recommended to apply six weeks ahead of your planned visit, which is neither too early nor too late.
 

A China tourist visa is normally valid for three months from the date of issue. For US citizens, they may get a multiple-entry tourist visa valid for 10 years. The allowed stay duration ranges from 30 days to 90 days decided by consular officers on the basis of your travel itinerary.
 

 
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