From December 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2024, travelers from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia can enjoy a 15-day visa-free entry to China for tourism, business, transit, and visiting friends and relatives in China.
How to Apply for a China
follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Determine the Type of Visa: Before applying, decide on the type of visa you need based on your purpose of visit (tourism, business, work, etc.). Common types include tourist (L), business (M), and work (Z) visas.
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare all necessary documents for your visa application. Typical requirements include a valid passport, completed visa application form, recent passport-sized photo, round-trip flight itinerary, hotel reservation or invitation letter, and proof of financial means.
- Fill Out Visa Application Form: Complete the visa application form accurately and truthfully. You can usually download the form from the website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country.
- Submit Application: Submit your visa application along with the required documents to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate nearest to your location. Some countries may allow visa applications to be submitted through a visa service center or by mail.
- Pay Visa Fees: Pay the required visa fees, which vary depending on the type of visa and your nationality. Payment is typically made at the time of application submission.
- Wait for Processing: Wait for your visa application to be processed. Processing times vary depending on the type of visa and the workload of the embassy or consulate. It’s advisable to apply well in advance of your planned travel date.
- Collect Visa: Once your visa application is approved, collect your passport with the visa affixed to it from the embassy or consulate. Make sure to check the visa details for accuracy before leaving the office.
- Travel to China: With your visa in hand, you’re now ready to travel to China. Make sure to comply with the visa conditions and adhere to Chinese laws and regulations during your stay.
Remember that the visa information provided here is for reference only, and specific requirements may vary depending on your nationality and individual circumstances. If you have any doubts or need assistance with your visa application, consider consulting a travel agency or contacting the Chinese Embassy or Consulate for guidance.
1. Find out if you need a visa
The first thing is to check whether you need a visa or not. You usually need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet one of China’s visa-free policies. 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit offer great convenience if you have a layover in China.
2. Find out which visa you need.
There are many types of China visa. Choose a visa type that applies to your situation. If you are planning to go on a vacation in China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).
3. Prepare the required documents.
The following list of documents are required for any China visa application:
- A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
- A complete visa application form (The visa application form can be downloaded from the Chinese embassy website or from our website. You complete it by computer, print and sign it. In some countries such as UK you should complete an online form. On the form, you might find an item “Serial number of invitation letter of the authorized organization”, you may skip this item if you don’t have an invitation letter, or the invitation letter is not of this type.)
- A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48mmx33mm)
Along with the aforementioned generally required documents, several additional documents are required depending upon the type of China visa applied for.
For instance, if you are applying for a tourist L visa, you need to prepare an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency. (An invitation letter could be provided by us without extra charge if a China tour of 3 days or more is booked.)
An invitation letter can replace the air ticket and hotel booking if you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China and can’t provide the hotel confirmation, or if your travel is being organized by a travel agency (or other duly authorized organization) in China. We can provide you with the invitation letter if you book a tour with us.
4. Submit the application.
You can lodge your visa application at either the Visa Office of Chinese embassies or consulates, or at China Visa Application Service Centers (CVASC), provided they are accessible in your country.
Since 2018, an increasing number of countries (such as the U.S., the UK, and Canada) require visa applicants to appear in person and undergo fingerprinting.
Standard processing typically takes four days, while expedited service can be completed in one day, but only under exceptional circumstances and with approval from a consular officer.
5. Pay the fee and collect your visa.
Go to the place where you apply for China visa, pay the fee and collect your visa.
The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. Here we listed China visa price for some countries for your reference. It may change based on the updated policies.
| Nationality | Number of Entries | Regular Application |
|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Single Entry Double Entries Multiple Entries for 6 Months Multiple Entries for 1 Year & above |
USD 185 |
| UK Citizens | EUR 151 | |
| Canada Citizens | CAD 100 | |
| Australian Citizens | AUD 60-180 |
When to Apply for a Visa
It is important to get your visa early, but not too early because it is only valid for 90/180 days for single/double-entry visas from the issue date.It is usually recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel.
Apply for Special Permits, If Necessary.
If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need to get a Tibet Travel Permit from a Chinese travel agency. As a travel agency based in China for more than 20 years, we can help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.
Check the most popular Tibet tours.
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