tourist visa china how long

How to Apply for a China Visa — a Step-by-Step Guide

From December 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2024, visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, and Malaysia can stay in China for up to 15 days without a visa for travel, business, transit, or visiting friends and family.

Starting March 14th, travelers from Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland can also enjoy this visa-free entry.

How to Apply for a China Visa

Planning to visit China, but don't know how to apply for a China visa? We're breaking it down for you with our step by step guide, follow the steps and get your China visa efficiently.

The visa information we provide is for reference only. We are a travel agency. If you book a trip with us, we can provide you with the invitation letter when applying for a tourist visa.

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 may submit the application to the Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or China Visa Application Service Centers (also called CVASC) if they are operating in your country.

Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries (including the U.S., the UK, and Canada) have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected .

The regular service processing time is 4 days, and the rushed service takes about 1 day. The latter is only available in extreme emergencies pending a consular officer's approval.

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.

The fees shown in the table are only for the cost of visa. If you apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the service fee and tax are required.

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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 .

Apply for China Visa in Hong Kong

If you are already in Hong Kong and want to visit Chinese mainland, it is possible to get a China visa in Hong Kong. Read our step-by-step guide .

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• A Quick Guide to Chinese Tourist Visas

Since China does not have mutual visa-free agreements with many countries, ordinary passport holders from most countries who want to visit China as a tourist must obtain a tourist visa (L visa) unless they meet one of the visa exemption criteria.

While it does involve some documentation and logistics, applying for a Chinese tourist visa doesn't require too much effort or time. In this article, we will provide an overview and some tips on how to apply for a tourist visa for China or take advantage of one of the visa exemption policies. Please be aware that all government regulations are subject to change without prior notice. Contact the visa office at the Chinese embassy or consulate nearest you for the latest requirements for a Chinese tourist visa.

Types of Chinese Tourist Visa

China usually issues three types of tourist visa: single-entry (valid for 3-6 months), double-entry (valid for 6 months), and multiple-entry (valid for 6 or 12 months). Single-entry tourist visas usually grant a maximum stay of 30 days, but you can ask for up to 90 days. The number of days you receive partly depends on the passport you hold. Tourist visas can normally be extended no more than two times within China.

US citizens are eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry visa with a maximum stay of 60 days per entry. In order for US citizens to be eligible for the ten-year visa, US passport holders must have more than one year of validity remaining on their passports. If their passports have one year or less of remaining validity (more than 6 months), they will receive a visa with less than one year of validity.

When and How to Apply for a Tourist Visa

The single-entry tourist visa normally has a validity period of three months so it's best to apply for a China tourist visa 30 to 60 days before your intended date of entry. If you apply too far in advance, the visa may expire before you arrive in China.

Unless you are traveling as part of a group, you will need to arrange your own visa. Some countries have visa agents but this adds substantially to the cost. If you are able to go straight to the embassy/consulate nearest you, it will be cheaper. You can search on the internet to find the Chinese embassy or consulate closest to you. You can also apply for a Chinese visa outside of your home country—just make sure that you are able to fulfill all the application requirements.

Visa applications are normally processed within three to four working days, but you can choose to pay an extra amount for rush service. If you go to the visa office in person, you may be able to get a visa on the same day for a fee.

When applying for Chinese tourist visas, the procedures, requirements, issue time, and fee may vary from country to country. Details and application forms can be found on the website of the Chinese embassy in your country. If you need an invitation letter for your application, we can help issue one.

Whatever country you are applying from, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months at your time of arrival in China.

24, 72, and 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

China allows 24, 72, or 144-hour visa-free stays for travelers from certain countries who transit via mainland China for a third international destination (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are included).

The 24-hour visa-free transit is relatively simple: it applies to travelers from most countries at most Chinese ports of entry, except the airports in Shenzhen, Yanji, Mudanjiang, Fuzhou, and Huangshan. The stopover time is calculated from your scheduled arrival time until your scheduled departure time. Travelers with this visa-free transit are allowed multiple stops (for example, USA-to-Beijing-to-Guangzhou-to-UK) as long as they leave mainland China within 24 hours.

Xi'an, Chongqing, Guilin, Harbin, and Changsha also allow 72-hour visa-free entry for transiting travelers with passports from certain countries. The 72-hour period is counted from the moment you receive your entry permit. Travelers with this visa-free transit are only allowed to travel within the city they entered. For example, if you enter through Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, you are only allowed to travel within the Xi'an area.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region, Guangdong, Chengdu, Kunming, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, and Liaoning allow 144-hour visa-free entry for transiting travelers with passports from the same countries as the 72-hour visa-free transit. The 144-hour period starts from 00:00 of the day following your arrival; that usually means a few extra hours to spend in China. Travelers with this visa-free transit are not allowed to travel outside the region or province they enter. For example, if you enter through Beijing, you are only allowed to travel within Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei province, so you cannot visit Shanghai and/or depart from Shanghai.

Countries that are eligible for the 72-hour & 144-hour visa-free transit

European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, and Monaco Countries in the Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile Countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand Asian countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar

Here is a tool from the Chinese government that allows you to check if you are qualified for one of the above forms of visa-free transit.

How to apply for visa-free transit

To apply for any of the above three forms of visa-free transit, you must present your plane, ship, or train ticket with confirmed seat and date (a standby ticket is not acceptable) for a third country that must be different from the country you traveled from. For example, if you are doing a USA-to-Beijing-to-Hong Kong trip, you are eligible for visa-free transit, but if you are doing a USA-to-Beijing-to-USA trip, then you will not be eligible. You may also need a visa for the third country or region if applicable.

Make sure that your passport is valid at least 6 months from the date of entry, and remember to fill the arrival/departure card at the airport or on the airplane before you land before you apply for the visa-free entry permit.

Other Visa Exemption Policies

Travelers holding a valid ordinary passport from one of the following countries are eligible to visit Hainan province for 30 days without a visa: Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus.

Visitors must travel with a travel agency registered in Hainan province. They can enter Hainan Island through any airport or ship port in Hainan province, but are not allowed to travel outside the province.

Foreign travelers arriving in Shanghai on a cruise ship can visit Shanghai and some other Chinese cities (including Beijing) for up to 15 days without a visa provided they leave China on the same ship. Travelers making use of the 15-day visa exemption are required to travel with tour groups (of a minimum of two people) organized by a travel agency that is registered in China. Travel agencies must submit details of their tour groups to the authorities at least 24 hours before the ships arrive in Shanghai; this means that travelers need to book the tour in advance to leave enough time for the travel agency to complete the application.

No visa is required for ordinary passport holders from the following countries: 90 days: San Marino 30 days: Bahamas; Ecuador; Fiji; Grenada; Mauritius; Serbia; Seychelles; Tonga; Barbados (June 1st, 2017) 15 days: Brunei; Japan; Singapore

Travel to Tibet

The requirements for visiting Tibet are very different from those for other provinces in China. All travelers to Tibet must arrange their trip in advance with a registered travel agency. This is the rule and there are no exceptions. Tibetan authorities issue a Tibet Travel Permit only after a traveler has secured a Chinese visa. Depending on the places you would like to visit in Tibet, you may need further documents such as a Military Permit and/or Alien Travel Permit. Contact us for the most up-to-date information on how to travel to Tibet.

Important Note

Be sure to double check the visa requirements at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before you travel to China, as China's visa policies, especially their visa exemption policies, can be confusing and are subject to change from time to time. Sometimes the visa rules may be interpreted differently by various cruise lines or local officials at the port of entry.

In order to avoid any possible confusion or inconvenience, we suggest that every traveler who plans to take advantage of any visa-free policies check with the relevant port of entry in China or the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country before you travel to China. Before you board the plane bound for China, you can also ask your airline to check if you will be able to get the visa-free entry permit upon arrival. If you are not sure whether you are eligible for the visa-free entry permit, you can instead apply for a regular transit visa or a tourist visa in your home country. If you are planning a tour with us, our travel specialists will also help you with the visa issues. ■

The China Guide is a Beijing-based travel agency that customizes private tours, educational student tours, and incentive trips across China. We have more than ten years of experience crafting tours for tens of thousands of travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and beyond. We promise all our tours have no hidden fees, no shopping stops, no touristy restaurants, just memorable experiences! Learn more about us or contact us to start planning your perfect China trip .

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China L Visa (Tourist Visa): Requirements & Application

From December 1, 2023, until November 30, 2024 , ordinary passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia can benefit from a 15-day visa-free entry to China Mainland.

From March 14, 2024, until November 30, 2024 , ordinary passport holders of  Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium , and Luxembourg  can benefit from a 15-day visa-free entry to China Mainland.

This applies to purposes such as tourism, business, transit, and visiting friends and relatives in China.

China L Visa (Tourist Visa) is designed for foreigners who wish to visit China for tourism.

In this article, we will share the details of the China L Visa, including the application process, requirements, and other vital information to ensure your trip to China goes smoothly.

Who Needs a China L Visa?

China L Visa is required for normal visits to China Mainland for almost every foreigner.

If you are planning to travel to China and you are not eligible for any of China's visa-free policies (such as the 144-hour transit visa exemption ), then you need to apply for a tourist visa (L visa) to enter China.

China Tourist Visa Requirements

To successfully obtain a China L Visa, you are required to provide the following documents:

1. A Valid Passport

Original signed passport with at least six months validity and two blank visa pages, and a copy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.

2. A Completed Visa Application Form

The China visa application form  can be downloaded from the China embassy website of your country or our website. You need to complete it by computer, print and sign it. 

3. A Recent Passport-Style Photograph

You need to prepare a recently taken color photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background of the size of 48mm×33mm.

4. Proof of Legal Entry or Residence Status (applicable to applicants who apply for visas outside their country of nationality)

If you are not applying for the China visa in the country of your citizenship, you need to provide proof of legal stay, residence, work, or study in your current location, as well as a copy of the document.

5. Original Chinese Passport or China Visa (applicable to former Chinese citizens who have acquired foreign nationality)

If you are applying for a China visa for the first time after acquiring foreign citizenship, you need to provide the original Chinese passport and a copy of the passport's information page.

If you have previously obtained a China visa and are now applying for a China visa with a new foreign passport, you need to provide a copy of the information page of your new foreign passport, as well as copies of the China visas issued on your previous passport.

In case the name on your new passport is different from the name on your original passport, you will also need to provide an official document proving the name change.

6. Additional Supporting Documents for China Tourist Visa

If you are planning independent travel (free travel) in China, you need to provide proof of round-trip international flight tickets and hotel reservations within China.

If you will join a guided tour within China, you need to provide an invitation letter issued by a registered China travel agency.

The invitation letter should include the following information:

• The invited person's personal information includes full name, gender, and date of birth.
• The invited person's planned itinerary includes arrival and departure dates and tourist destinations.
• The information of the inviting entity or individual, including their name, contact number, address, official seal or signature, and legal representative or inviter's signature.

If you travel with us, we will create a valuable tour for you and provide you with an invitation letter for free if you request. Please contact us for more details.

China Tourist Visa Application - How to Get a China L Visa?

Step 1:  Prepare essential documents according to China Tourist Visa Requirements.

Step 2:  Submit all necessary documents in person at the nearest China Embassy or Consulate in your country. You can make an appointment online at China Online Visa Application  (COVA).

Some Chinese Embassies and Consulates have established China Visa Application Service Centers  (CVASC) to handle the application process. You can submit the required documents directly to them. The CVASC will accept and forward the application to the embassy for further processing and issuance.

Step 3:  Pay visa fees and get a pick-up slip. Check details of China Tourist Visa Fees.

Step 4:  Once your application is approved, collect your passport and China Visa on the assigned date (usually within a week). The processing time may vary, check the details of China Tourist Visa Processing Time.

With the pick-up slip, you may pick up your passport in person or with a trustworthy person for help.

China Tourist Visa Processing Time

Typically, Chinese embassies or consulates abroad can process tourist visas within four to five working days . However, in certain special circumstances, the processing time may be extended at the discretion of the embassy or consulate.

You are advised to submit the visa application approximately one month before the intended date of entry. This allows for sufficient time for processing and ensures that the visa is obtained on time.

It is always recommended to plan and allow ample time for visa processing, ensuring a smooth and stress-free travel experience to China.

China Tourist Visa Cost - How Much Is a China L Visa?

The cost of a China tourist visa varies depending on several factors, including your nationality, the type of visa, the processing time chosen, and where you submit the application.

For example, if you are going to apply for a China L visa in the US, here are the visa fees.

Visa fees for certain non-U.S. citizens may vary from the list above based on reciprocal agreements. Please check with the Visa Office for special fees.

How Many Times Can I Enter China on a Tourist Visa?

The number of entries allowed on a China tourist visa depends on the type of visa issued. In general, there are single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry tourist visas available.

A single-entry visa  allows the holder to enter China only once during the visa's validity period. Once you leave China, the visa becomes invalid, and if you plan to re-enter, you will need to apply for a new visa.

The duration of stay for each entry is usually limited to 30 days.

A double-entry visa  permits two entries into China within the visa's validity period. This means you can enter China on two separate occasions. After the second entry, the visa becomes invalid.

The multiple-entry visa  grants multiple entries into China within the visa's validity period. With this visa, you can enter and exit China multiple times during the specified duration.

China 10-Year Visa (Long-term Visa)

China's 10-year visa is an option for travelers who frequently visit China for tourism or personal purposes.

This long-term visa allows multiple entries into China over up to ten years. The maximum stay per visit is 60 days for tourists.

If you are holding a US, Canadian, or UK passport, you are now eligible for a 10-year visa for tourism.

Can I Apply for the China L Visa Online?

No, you can’t apply for and get a China visa online. E-visa is not available in China . The consular officer needs your passport to put the visa in it, you are required to have your fingerprints collected.

It is possible to download the visa application form and submit it online.

Suppose you are eligible for the China Online Visa Application system . In that case, you can fill in the application form online and print it out to submit it at your nearest visa application center.

If not, you need to download the China Visa Application Form , print it out, and fill in it. 

You Might Want to Read

• How to Apply for a China Visa
• China Visa on Arrival
• China 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

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How to Get A Chinese Tourist Visa | Application Guide and Tips

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on March 7, 2024 :

1. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is newly available for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Read more »

2. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.

3. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is now available for other 6 countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Read more »

4. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

5. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."

6. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.

7. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.

8. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.

China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!

Invitation letter is a vital document for Chinese visa application. If you travel with us, we will not only create a valuable tour for you, but also provide you an invitation letter if you request, which will help you obtain your visa successfully. Start customizing your tour in China now!

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Do I Need a Visa to Travel to China?

A China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is required for normal visit to mainland China. However, special visitors may travel to China without visa, such as, citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan could enjoy 15-day “no-visa” China tour, or transit passengers qualified for China’s 72 / 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit. Click Visa Free Policy of China to find out whether you need to get a visa for tour in China.

How Many Times can I Enter China on a Tourist Visa?

China Tourist Visa is divided into three kinds with different number of entries: single entry , double entries and multiple entries . That means you can enter China 1/2/many times during the validity of your China Visa. When applying, you should choose the intended number of entries based on the planed visit. Note that the visa will become invalid if entries have been used up, or the visa has expired.

Our American Clients Enjoyed Beijing Tour

What are the Requirements for China Tourist Visa Application?

Chinese Tourist Visa is issued to aliens who plan to visit China for tour. Visitors can apply Chinese Visa from overseas countries, at entry port on arrival or in China . This article mainly offer guide at Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad. Like all other visa categories, all applicants are required to prepare and submit necessary materials properly and truthfully. Read our step-by-step instruction to China Tourist Visa application below.

Basic Requirements

1. Passport

Original passport with a validity of at least 6 months, and at least one blank visa pages left. Also, make one copy of the data page & photo page, previous visa pages.

If you already use a new passport, a valid Chinese Tourist Visa is still in the old passport, you are allowed to use the two passport together to visit China if your purpose of visit remains the same.

2. China Visa Application Form

Log in the official website of COVA (https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn), choose the country and city you will submit application. Create an new China Visa Application Form online, fill in the electronic form step by step, provide all personal information completely and truthfully. After careful check, save and submit the application form. The form cannot be changed once it is submitted. Print the completed form out, sign and date it.

3. Visa Photo

Two recently-taken (within the past 6 months) front passport-size bareheaded color photos. The photos need to taken against a white or light solid background, hatless, frontal view presenting full face. One photo shall be attached on the printed visa application form. China Tourist Visa Photo Requirements, Size >>

Paper Photo Size: 33mm×48mm

Digital Photo Size: horizontal: 354 - 420 pixels, vertical: 472 - 560 pixels

4. Proof of Legal Stay or Residence (apply to outlander applicants)

Provide the original and photocopy of the valid certificate or visa, which shows your legal stay, residence, work and study in the residing country (not in your home country).

China Tourist Visa Application Requirements

Fill in China Tourist Visa Application on Website of CVASC

5. Previous Chinese Passport or Chinese Visa (apply to former Chinese citizens who later joined to foreign nationality)

Submit the original passport and a copy of the passport’s date page, if it’s the first time you apply for a Chinese Visa.

If you once obtained Chinese Visa, and now apply a new one with a new passport, you please provide the photocopy of the previous passport’s date page, and the old Chinese Visa. (Official certificate of name change is needed, if the name on the current passport is not the same on the old passport.) 

Supporting Documents

Relavant travel documents showing the itinerary, including booked refundable round-trip air tickets and hotel reservation record, proposed travel schedules and else materials, or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. 

China Tourist Visa Invitation Letter

Invitation letter is one of the optional supporting documents for China Tourist Visa Application. To some extent, an Invitation Letter will help to explain your travel purpose, if you are indeed invited to visit China by friends, family or authorized travel agency. The letter should cover the following informations:

a. Information on the applicant (passport number, nationality, full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b. Information on the planned tour (departure and arrival dates, places going to be visited, etc.) 

c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (the host company name or inviter’s name, contact telephone number, address, official seal of the unit, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual, and so on.)

Please visit Required & Supporting Documents for China Visa , if you apply for other type of China Visa, such as, China Business Visa, China Work Visa, etc.

China Tourist Visa Invitation Letter (Sample)

How Do I Apply for A Tourist Visa to China?

Once know what documents are needed, let’s move to the most important processes for submission.

STEP 1: Check passport status, make photocopy of data page, used visa pages;

Prepare others travel materials, e.g. flight tickets, hotel booking record, rough travel itinerary, etc. If you have an true and valid invitation letter, provide it as well.

STEP 2: Fill in visa application form , print it out, paste one photo on the paper application form, and sign and write down the submission date;

STEP 3: Make online appointment , if you’re required to submit to China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). Please use the application form ID to schedule appointment in advance.

Else applicants may visit visa section of overseas Chinese Embassy or Consulates during office hours. (you can check updated time on official website)

STEP 4: Bring all prepared documents, visit the right authority, CVASC or Chinese Embassy/Consulatem, wait for your order and submit. Pay visa fees and get a pick-up slip.

STEP 5: Collect passport and Chinese Visa (if granted successfully) back after tracing it has been processed and wait for pick up. With the slip, you may pick it up in person or entrust your friend, family, travel agency for help.

China Visa Service Center in Malaysia

Single-entry China Tourist Visa Issued in Vancouver, Canada (Old Version Used before June 1st 2019)

How Much is A Tourist L Visa for China?

China Tourist Visa Fees and cost differ by nationalities, number of entries and visa services, and where you submit.

* US Passport Holders: USD 140 for (Single/Double/Multiple) China Tourist Visa to 6 months, 1 year and above

* Canadian Passport Holders: CAD 100 for (Single/Double/Multiple) China Tourist Visa to 6 months, 1 year and above

* Single-entry Chinese Tourist Group Visa : CAD 40 for Canadians, USD 110 for US Citizens

China Visa Application Fees for Different Nationalities

Note of Payment: ① Embassy and Consulate only accept Master Card, Money Order, Cashier's Check or Company Check. Cash or Personal checks are not acceptable. ② China Visa Application Service Center just receives cash, debit cards, credit cards (Visa and Mater Card only) and company cheques. Know more details about China Vis Cost >>

How Long does It Take to Get A Tourist Visa to China?

Chinese Embassy and Consulate will start to process your application until all required documents submitted. Regular application takes about 4 working days , which you may pick up on the 4th or 5th working day. Express Service takes around 2-3 working days, that means, you may collect on the 3rd to 4th working day. Rush Service generally needs nearly 1 working day for processing, and applicants may obtain on the second working day. Same Day Rush Service for emergency entry is offered for applicants in US.

Useful Links: China Visa Processing Time | Fast China Visa Services

Special Notes:

1.) Express and Rush Service are not available in all foreign countries. If you want to use the services, please check on official website. If it’s valid, extra fees will be charged.

2.) If you apply for China Tourist Visa by mail in Australia, it takes at least 10 working days for processing, postal time is excluded.

3.) Visa processing time is listed for reference only, accurate time depends on personal situations. Chinese Embassy and Consulate may require supplementary materials if necessary.

Canadian Picked up Passport & Visa from Chinese Embassy

FAQs and Useful Tips about Chinese Tourist Visa

Q1: Is it easy to get a Chinese Tourist Visa?

It’s hard to say it’s easy or not to get a Chinese Tourist Visa, because there is no guarantee of issurance of a Chinese Visa, under any circumstances. Our advice is that, prepare all needed documents as required for maxmium success.

Q2: Where should US citizens apply for a China Tourist Visa?

Holders of US passports should submit application to corresponding Chinese Embassy or Consulate which is in charge of your area. If you reside in Washington DC, Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, you shall apply at Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., and if you live in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, visit Consute in New York, more details in http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zmzlljs/t84229.htm.

Q3: Does Singaporean need visa for travel to China?

According to relevant China’s laws and regulations, citizens from Singapore may enjoy 15-day visa-free entry to China if he go for business, tour or family visit.You will need a Chinese Visa with intention to overstay and travel for other purposes.

Q4: What’s the maximum stay of a China Tourist Visa?

The accurate length of permitted stay is clearly marked on the visa page of your passport, which is normally 30 days. That means holder can stay in China for up to 30 days. The time counts from the 00:00 the day after entry and till 24:00 of the last day . Please enter before the “Valid For Entry By”, otherwise it will be expired and null.

If you will stay in China more than regular 30 days, you’re suggested to make it clear on the application form, and shown in related travel itinerary.

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China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide any support & help you need to travel to China. With a Chinese Visa, you can freely travel to many cities in mainland China, among all, Beijing , Shanghai are used as gate way cities, Xian , Guilin , Chengdu are also excellent destinations to discovery different regional culture, history and local customs in China.

You may choose from our most popular China tours, or just  contact us , tell your interests and travel plans, we could customze a perfect China tour as you like.

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Introduction to China Visa

• Ultimate China Visa Guide
• 11 Important Things Should Know
• How to Read China Visa
• Single, Double, Multiple Entry Visa
• China Visa on Arrival

China Visa Application

• How to Apply for China Visa
• Required Documents & Materials
• China Visa Application Form
• Visa Invitation Letter
• China Visa Application Online
• How Much is A China Visa
• Apply China Visa in HK
• China Visa Renewal & Extension
• Lost Passport & China Visa

China Visa Exemptions

• 15 China Visa Free Policies
• 144-hour Visa Free in China
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• China Visa Free Countries
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• Notice on New Adjustments to Chinese Visa and Entry Policies
• Guide on Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures For China-bound Travelers
• Notice on the Reopening of the Visa Office
• · Visa for Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR of China（2024-02-29）
• · FAQs About China's Port Visas and Other Related Issues（2024-02-26）
• · Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application(Updated in February, 2024)（2023-03-14）
• · Tourist Visa (L-Visa) Application Documents to be Simplified（2023-12-29）
• · 2024 Holiday Schedule for the Visa Office of the Chinese Embassy（2023-12-26）
• · Visa Office Close on Dec. 25, 2023 and Jan. 1，2024（2023-12-18）
• · Notice on Reducing Visa Fee（2023-12-08）
• · China to Apply Unilateral Visa -Free Policy to Six More Countries on A Trial Basis（2023-11-25）
• · Notice on Walk-in Without Appointment Visa Application Service（2023-10-20）
• · Chinese Visa Application Frequently Asked Questions（2023-09-18）
• · Compensation Arrangements for the Use-Suspension of 10-year Multi-Entry Visa due to the COVID-19（2023-06-22）
• · Visa Processing Fees（2023-12-08）
• · Notice on New Adjustments to Chinese Visa and Entry Policies（2023-03-13）
• · Notice on the Reopening of the Visa Office（2023-01-12）
• · Hong Kong "e-Visa" Arrangement（2021-12-28）
• · Chinese Visa Photo Requirements（2016-12-05）

Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) – The Complete Guide

If you need information about how to obtain a tourist visa (or L visa) for China, you’ve come to the right place.

If instead, you’re interested in another type of visa (work, student, business, etc) then you can read our complete guide on Chinese visas .

Do I need a visa to visit China as a tourist?

• You are in transit in China for less than 144 hours .
• If you’re staying in Shenzhen (on the border of Hong Kong) for less than five days or in Zhuhai (at the border with Macao) for less than three days .
• If you’re staying on Hainan Island with an organized tour with a minimum of five people for a maximum of fifteen days.

To stay for tourism reasons in Hong Kong or Macao for less than six months no visa is required (depending on your nationality).

When should I apply for a Chinese visa?

Where can i apply for a chinese tourist visa, in your country.

In many countries visas are by now handled by the CVASC ( Chinese Visa Application Service Center ).

As far as the United States goes, you need to contact the Chinese Consulate in your state of residence ( here you’ll find a list of consulates ).

If you’re not a US resident and your country isn’t on the CVASC list (see the link above), then you’ll have to contact one of the Chinese Consulates in your own country.

Note that, aside from rare exceptions, it’s not possible to send your passport and request a visa through the mail; you have to show up in person at the CVASC or at the Chinese Consulate.

If for some reason you don’t want to, or you can’t show up personally, you can use an agency to get your Chinese Visa . This will have a supplementary cost, but it may still be cheaper than the cost of the trip to the nearest CVASC or Chinese Consulate.

In this case, you’ll have to send your passport (and other necessary documents) to the agency and they will handle everything. To apply for a visa service through an agency you can use the form above on the right.

At the moment we recommend Visa HQ, a reputable agency that charges 79 USD for its Chinese Visa service. Click here to learn more!

From 2016, in some cases, you can also apply for a group visa online . You can click on the previous link to learn more.

Even if in theory you can only apply for the visa in your country of residence, in practicality you can also get it elsewhere, so long as it’s a country that holds diplomatic relations with China. The easiest place to get one is certainly Hong Kong. You can check out our complete guide to applying for a Chinese visa in Hong Kong to learn more.

How long will a Chinese visa last?

How much does a chinese visa cost and how long will it take to get one.

In general, obtaining a visa will take four business days. To get a visa in 2-3 business days you can apply for the Express Service (it costs an additional 20 USD); while to get a visa within one business day you can apply for Rush Service (which costs an additional 30 USD). Note that the Rush Service is granted only in documented cases of extreme urgency.

What documents will I need to get a visa?

• A passport valid for at least six months (that is it will not expire in less than six months and has at least two empty pages);
• Photocopy of your passport (both the photo page and pages with Chinese visas);
• A properly filled-out visa application ( you can download it here );
• Two passport photos;
• A return air ticket to and from China ( click here to read our guide on flights to China ) plus your intended itinerary during your stay in China;
• Your proposed itinerary for your stay in China . Even if, in my opinion, it’s a formality since I’ve never heard of anyone getting in trouble for not having followed the itinerary presented during the visa application process (obviously so long as you don’t go to Tibet – or in other limited access areas – without having the necessary permits);
• Receipt from the hotel, which must be reserved before applying for the visa and contain the full names of all people that will apply for the visa ( click here to read our guide to reserve a hotel in China ).
• As an alternative to a hotel receipt, you can also present an invitation letter from a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with a residence permit. The letter should contain information about the applicant (such as your name, gender, and date of birth), information about your stay in China (itinerary, length of stay, etc), and information about the person that is inviting you (name, telephone number, address, signature and copy of their Chinese identity card, or if the person isn’t Chinese, a copy of their passport pages containing their photo and residence permit).

How do you read a Chinese visa?

The visa is valid for three or six months from the date of issue. If for example you have a visa valid for three months, the visa will become unusable if you don’t enter into China within three months of the issue date (this is the reason that you don’t want to apply for a visa too soon).

Number of entries

The number of times you can enter and exit China with the same visa. If you have a single entry visa, this will expire automatically once you leave China (note that visiting Hong Kong or Macao counts as leaving the country).

The number of days you can stay in China (starting from the day you enter the country). For a tourist visa the stay is a maximum of 60 days.

Can I extend the length of my Chinese visa?

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3 thoughts on “chinese tourist visa (l visa) – the complete guide”.

Hi there :) I am planning a bike travel to China. However, I plan to exit China via land border and therefore will not be able to provide a return flight ticket. Do you know how to handle that at the visa application? All the best!

You can try to provide a train ticket, but it will depend on the embassy o CVASC if they accepted it or not. Notice that at the moment they are not emitting tourist visas (it seems that tomorrow they will start again), so the requirements could change.

The information is well understood. Thou would like to help me with agency what it means

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How do I get a visa for China?

Oct 14, 2021 • 6 min read

The first step towards walking along the Great Wall is getting a visa for China © Hung Chung Chih / Shutterstock

Stretching from the steppes of Central Asia and Mongolia to the tropical jungles of Laos and Vietnam, China is a land of endless travel opportunities. Though the country shut up tight after the world’s first COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan in January 2020, China is making fast progress towards its 85% vaccination target and international tourism is expected to resume by 2022.

Here is everything you need to know about obtaining a tourist visa for China, based on the requirements in place before the pandemic, which are likely to remain when China reopens to international tourists. Always check the latest regulations with the Chinese authorities before you travel.

Who Needs a Chinese Tourist Visa?

The majority of foreign nationals require a tourist visa (also known as an "L visa") to enter and visit mainland China, though a few nationalities are granted visa-free entry. L visas are easy to obtain from Chinese embassies and consulates around the world, though the visa application process in some countries has been outsourced to a local branch of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center – their website has a handy list of locations and other useful country-specific information. To avoid the tedious bureaucracy when applying in person, many people obtain a visa via a tour operator or visa agent.

Can I travel visa-free to China?

Holders of passports from a handful of countries can travel visa-free to mainland China for tourism or business purposes. Citizens of Brunei, Japan and Singapore get 15 days, citizens of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Serbia, Seychelles, Tonga, and the United Arab Emirates get 30 days, citizens of Mauritius get 60 days, and citizens of Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and San Marino get 90 days.

Who can get a transit visa?

Visitors from 49 countries – including the US, Canada, UK, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil and Argentina – can spend up to 144 hours (6 days) transiting in China without a visa if they arrive by air, ship or train at selected Chinese cities. The list of cities includes Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xiamen, Wuhan, Kunming and Qingdao, opening up some interesting quick trip opportunities.   To be eligible, travelers must hold a passport valid for at least 3 months after entry and proof of onward travel to a third country, or to Hong Kong or Macau . These visas start counting down at 12.01 am on the date following arrival and there are restrictions on where you can travel within each region. Check with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for the current list of eligible nationalities, entry points and specific movement areas.

What about Hong Kong and Macau?

Most nationalities do not require a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days in either Hong Kong or Macau. British visitors to Hong Kong get 180 days, and South Africans get 30 days. To travel from here into China proper, a standard tourist visa is required. These are fairly easy to obtain via China Travel Service in Hong Kong.

Since May 2018, the Chinese resort island of Hainan has offered 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 59 countries including the US, Canada, the EU, the UK, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. You can’t leave Hainan island and travel to mainland China on this visa – if you want to roam deeper into China, you'll need a standard tourist visa.

How about Tibet?

To travel to Tibet by air, road or train, you'll need both a China tourist visa and a Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) permit. To obtain this mandatory travel document you must book a guide for your entire trip and pre-arrange private transport for trips outside Lhasa. No direct applications are accepted, which effectively means that Tibet can only be visited on an organized tour.

How to apply for a Chinese tourist visa

By far the most straightforward option is to apply in your home country. If your country of residence is different, the Chinese authorities may charge an extra processing fee for non-citizens. Either way, you’ll need to fill out a form giving a proposed itinerary for your trip (it’s advisable to never mention Xinjiang and Tibet in your application), plus a flight ticket, and proof of accommodation booked for your first night in China.

Some embassies require extra documentation, such as an invitation letter from a person or a company in China, bank statements, and documents proving your employment record. And your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expiry date of your visa. 

Remember that it can be hard to obtain a Chinese tourist visa from an embassy or consulate outside your home country. Caravanistan publishes a useful list of which Chinese embassies accept applications from third-country citizens.

How much does a China tourist visa cost?

The cost of a Chinese tourist visa varies depending on the type of visa, the length of stay, the number of entries allowed, and your nationality. Most tourists pay around US$35 for a single entry visa valid for 30 days from the day you enter China. Reflecting frosty relations between China and some foreign governments, UK citizens pay £151, US citizens pay US$140, Canadian citizens pay C$142, Australian citizens pay A$109 and French, German, Italian, Dutch and Spanish citizens pay €126.

Some nationalities are entitled to long-term multiple-entry visas that allow travelers to visit China for stints of 30 to 120 days throughout the duration of the visa. Note these are not residence permits and do not grant any right to live or work in China. Citizens of the US, Canada, Argentina and Israel can obtain tourist visas with a validity of up to ten years, Brazilians and South Africans are eligible for tourist visas valid for up to five years, while citizens of the UK can get tourist visas lasting two years. Contact your local Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest fees for long-term visas.

How long is a Chinese visa valid for?

Regular China tourist visas are valid for 30 days and must be used within three (or six, if double-entry) months of their date of issue. Never overstay your visa: the fine is ¥500 a day, with the possibility of being deported and banned from re-entering China for the next five years. If you think you'll need to stay longer, start the process of applying for a visa extension well before your visa expires.

Can I extend my Chinese visa?

Chinese visas can be extended once without too much difficulty at the Public Security Bureau (PSB) offices found in larger Chinese towns and cities, though an extension is not guaranteed. The process takes between 2 and 7 working days, the fee is ¥160 (or ¥760/500 for US/UK citizens). You can only extend your stay for as long as the duration of your original visa. You’ll need to provide your original passport, two photos and a receipt from your accommodation in the town where you are applying for your extension.

Because of the complicated permit system, extending your stay in Tibet is impossible, and Xinjiang, Beijing and Shanghai can also be tricky places to extend a standard tourist visa. The Caravanistan website has some useful visa extension reports from travelers. A second extension is harder to get, and a third extension is extremely unlikely.

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• How to Apply
• Application Requirements
• China Visa Fees
• Entries /Validity /Duration
• 10-year China Visa
• Tourist (L)
• Business (M)
• 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• Hong Kong Visa Policy
• Macau Visa Policy
• Chinese Residence Permit

10-year China Visa for US and Canadian Citizens

What is the 10-year china visa.

The 10-year China visa allows holders to enter China for multiple times during the validity of up to 10 years without the trouble of applying for visa again and again. Can I get a 10-year Chinese visa? You may ask. Well, currently, the multiple entry Chinese visa for 10 years is applicable to citizens from US, Canada, UK, Argentina and Brazil. The 10 years Chinese visa for Australians is on the way according to some reports, but yet not sure when to happen. Below is some information on the 10-year China visa for US and Canadian citizens. British citizens can click to browse the page of 10-year China Visa for UK Citizens .  

How long can I stay in China on a China ten-year visa?

10-year china visa fee for us and canadian citizens.

The 10 years China visa is not expensive than short-term Chinese visa despite its longer validity. A 10-year China visa for US citizens costs 140 US dollars. The 10-year Chinese visa fees for Canadian citizens is 110 Canadian dollars. However, due to the fact that Canadians have to handle it at Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC), they need to pay additional service fee to the center.  

10-year China Visa Requirements & Documents

2. A valid passport is required. For US citizens, the remaining validity should be at least one year. For Canadian citizens, the remaining validity should be longer than the expected length of visa. 3. Documents to support your entry purpose. For example, if you apply for a tourist visa, you may need to provide round trip air tickets and hotel booking records for the first entry or an invitation letter from your friends or family members in China.  

How to apply for a 10-year Visa to China

After all the documents are ready, make an appoinment for the visa application submission  for the Chinese consular office in charge of your residence address. For Canadian citizens, they need to go to the CVASC. After successful submission, just wait for the result for about four working days and collect your passport and visa on the date shown on your pick-up slip.  

Further Reading:

10-year china visa for argentine citizens.

In Argentina, the 10-year Chinese visa is only for Tourist (L) and Business (M) purposes, with the price being 2,470 pesos. The passport should be valid for at least six months when submitting the application. The max. stay length is 90 days after each entry.

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How Long Does It Take To Get A Tourist Visa To China

Table of Contents

Currently, foreigners are required to submit a Chinese visa application prior to departure, and some foreigners will be required to apply for a Chinese visa upon arrival in China as long as they meet certain Chinese You can apply for a Chinese visa if you are subject to the port visa regulations. How long does it take to apply for a Chinese visa? Except in special circumstances, applicants can get a Chinese visa in 1~4 working days, even on the same day you submit your application.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Tourist Visa To China?

The Chinese Embassy and Consulates will start processing your application after you submit all required documents. Usually, applications take 4 working days and you can pick up your application on the 4th or 5th working day. Expedited service takes about 2-3 working days, i.e. you can pick up your application on the 3rd or 4th working day. Expedited service generally takes nearly 1 business day to process, and applicants can pick it up on the second business day. U.S. applicants entering the U.S. on an emergency basis are eligible for same-day rush service.

Courier and rush services are not available in all foreign countries. If you wish to use these services, please check the official website. If valid, additional charges will apply.

If you are applying for a Chinese tourist visa by post in Australia, it will take a minimum of 10 working days to process your application, excluding postage.

The processing times listed are for reference only and are subject to individual availability. The Chinese Embassy or Consulate may require additional documents if necessary.

Is it easy to get a tourist visa for China?

It is difficult to say whether obtaining a Chinese tourist visa is easy or not, as it is not guaranteed under any circumstances. Our advice is to prepare all the required documents for maximum success.

Where should U.S. citizens apply for a Chinese tourist visa?

U.S. passport holders should submit their application to the Chinese embassy or consulate in their area. If you live in Washington, DC, Montana, North Carolina, or Virginia, you should go to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC. Apply; if you live in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts, go to the New York Consular Office Application.

What is the maximum length of stay for a Chinese tourist visa?

The exact permissible length of stay is clearly marked on the visa page of the passport and is usually 30 days. This means that the holder can stay in China for a maximum of 30 days. The time is counted from 00:00 on the day following the day of entry until 24:00 on the last day. Please note that before the "Valid Time of Entry" Enter, otherwise, it will expire. If you are staying in China for more than 30 days, it is recommended that you indicate this on the application form and in the relevant travel itinerary.

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CHINA VISA REQUIREMENTS & Application Process

Anxious is a word I often describe myself when I’m planning a trip to China, and I say that in every sense of the word. Anxious, as in nervous, because I’m aware of the long standing tension between China and the Philippines. I’m always jittery when I apply for a visa or face their Immigration officers. But I try to brush it off because I’m also very anxious to visit China — anxious, as in eager. Out of all the countries I have set foot in, when it comes to landscapes, China is one of the most breathtaking. I have visited only three provinces so far — Henan, Hunan, and Guangxi — but all of them absolutely blew me away. The nerves also dissipate as soon as I make it through the Immigration gates. Locals have shown me nothing but a warm brand of hospitality.

Recently, I assisted a teammate who is applying for a visa for the first time. Along the way, I noticed that there have been a few changes to the application process since the last time I applied, so I decided to write an updated version of our CHINA VISA GUIDE. So here it goes. Enjoy!

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

LIST OF CHINESE VISA REQUIREMENTS

1. original passports.

• Original copy of your CURRENT passport. Must have at least 6 months validity and at least one blank page.
• Photocopy of the passport’s bio page and emergency page. These are the page with information and the one with emergency contact details.
• If you have old passports , you must submit them too.
• If you don’t have old passports or you have lost your old passports, make sure you state it on Item 3.7 of the application form.

2. Accomplished application form

• Must be computerized or filled out digitally. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
• Type in uppercase letters.
• Don’t leave any field blank. If an item doesn’t apply to you, type N/A.
• If minor, the form must have signatures of parents or legal guardian.
• Download the form here.

3. Two (2) recent photographs

• Photo size: 48mm x 33mm.
• Must be color photos with white background. Front view. Without head cover.
• Must be taken within the past 6 months.
• One of the photos must be pasted on the application form. Stapled, taped or clipped photos are not accepted.

4. Travel itinerary

Make sure your itinerary is consistent with the dates you indicated on the application form.

This is the format I followed. You can also download an editable version here .

5. Flight reservations or tickets

Including outward and return flights. Make sure your document has a Passenger Registration Number (or reservation number).

If you have already booked your flights, you can submit the confirmed flight itinerary from the airline.

If you don’t have tickets yet, you might want to consider submitting a flight reservation instead. Flight reservation is something that you can cancel so you won’t end up wasting a lot of money if you are denied a visa.

Find a travel agency that can reserve flights for you. In our case, we get our flight reservations from Gazelle Travel and Tours. You can reserve flights here: HOW TO GET FLIGHT RESERVATIONS

6. Hotel reservations

Submit hotel reservations under your name. You can reserve a hotel online without any charge. Just choose properties that allow FREE CANCELLATION so you can easily cancel your booking for free in case your application is rejected.

7. Invitation Letter

ONLY IF YOU ARE INVITED BY SOMEONE IN CHINA. OTHERWISE IGNORE THIS PART.

The invitation letter must indicate the following information.

• APPLICANT’S INFORMATION. Applicant’s full name, gender and date of birth, and the inviter’s relationship with the applicant.
• TRAVEL INFORMATION. Purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, places to visit, and source of funds that you will use to support your trip
• INVITER’S INFORMATION. Inviter’s full name (if individual) or company name (if organization), address, contact numbers, official stamp, and signature.

The invitation letter can be a computer printout or a photocopy. However, the visa officer has the right to require the original copy, so it’s best to have it handy.

In addition to the Letter of Invitation, the following must also be submitted:

• Photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese ID or passport with Chinese residence permit
• Proof of relationship. This maybe birth certificates, marriage certificate, or certificate of kinship issued by the Chinese Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship.

8. If applying for the first time

If this is your first time applying for a Chinese Visa, you need to prove your financial and employment status. Here are the documents you must submit.

• Bank certificate with bank statement for the past 6 months and official receipt. Some travel agencies and online sources say that a minimum of P100,000 is required. But the friend that I assisted recently has only P70,000 and her application was approved. It was also her first time applying for a Chinese visa.
• Income tax return (ITR). BIR-stamped.
• If employed: Certificate of Employment. Must indicate how much salary you receive and how long you have been with the company. Although not listed, a copy of your company ID is also something you can submit.
• If self-employed: Business Registration Certificate. It would also help your cause to submit other business registration docs — BIR, SEC, permits.
• If professional: PRC ID.
• If student: current school ID.

You can also submit other relevant documents that can provide more information about your purpose of travel, finances, source of income, occupation.

9. If you have past Chinese visa

If you have been granted a Chinese visa before, you don’t need to submit the financial and employment documents listed in the previous section.

Instead, submit the following:

• Photocopy of your past Chinese visas
• Old passports that contain the old Chinese visas

10. Visa Fee

Here’s the cost of a Chinese Visa (Tourism/Visit) at the time of writing:

• Single entry: P1400
• Double entry: P2100
• Multiple entry (6 months): P2800
• Multiple entry (over 6 months): P4200

HOW TO APPLY FOR A CHINESE VISA

1. complete the requirements..

The first step is to gather all the documents listed above. Prioritize those that might take time to secure such as employment certificates or bank certificate/statements.

You might also want to arrange them in the same order as the above list.

If you have other documents that you think can help your case but not listed on the list, bring them regardless and have them ready JUST IN CASE they ask for more supporting papers.

Please DON’T submit fake documents. Forged items will result in immediate refusal.

2. Submit your application.

Once you have all the necessary documents, it’s time to lodge your application. No prior appointment necessary. You can simply walk in.

You’ll be shocked to learn that the Chinese Embassy has several addresses in Metro Manila. Where you need to go is their CONSULAR SECTION. And this is their address in Metro Manila:

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 2nd Floor, the World Center, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila

Visa Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-11am only

When you get there, look for the staff by the door. They will inspect all your documents and tell you if you miss anything. If everything’s fine, they will give you a number. You will then have to wait for your number to be called.

After submitting all the docs, you will be given a RELEASE SLIP, which indicates the date you should claim your passport.

PROCESSING TIME AND FEES:

The standard processing time is 4 WORKING DAYS . But if you’ve been granted a Chinese visa before and you want to get your passport/visa sooner, you can request for faster processing for a fee. Here are the additional charges per visa:

• Express service (third working day release): P1100
• Rush service (second working day release): P1700

To reiterate, these options are only available to NON-FIRST-TIMERS.

3. Claim your passport.

Return to the consular center on the date indicated on the release slip handed to you. Claiming your passport is much easier and quicker than submitting your application. Get another number from the door staff. You will get the passport after making the payment. There are windows specifically for passport releasing.

Once you have your passport — hopefully with a visa — double check the information and make sure there are no misspellings.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. how long is the processing of a chinese visa.

4 BUSINESS DAYS , usually.

If you have been granted a Chinese visa before, you have the option to shorten the process by paying additional fee. Here are the rates per visa:

Note that these are on top of the visa fee. You will have to add the rush/express service fee to the P1400 visa fee. For example, if you choose to get your passport/visa after 2 business days, prepare to shell out P3100.

However, despite all these, the consular officer may still ask you to submit more supporting documents or even require an interview.

2. How long is the validity of a Chinese tourist visa?

Usually, 6 MONTHS. However, the duration of stay per visit is usually 14 DAYS only.

To illustrate, for example, my friend was granted a single entry visa that is valid from May 1 to November 1, 2019. She can enter China anytime before November 1, 2019, but she can only stay for 14 days.

3. How early can I apply for a China visa?

I don’t know for sure. But the tourist visa’s usual validity is 6 months so I’m guessing 6 months before your travel date is the earliest (but that would be pushing it). Again, I don’t know.

I usually apply 1 month before my travel date.

4. Should I apply for a single-, double-, or multiple-entry visa?

It depends on your itinerary and flight reservations. If your itinerary/flight reservations suggest you’re entering China just once, then apply for a single entry visa. If you plan to go in and out and back in again, then go for a double entry visa.

I once applied for a double-entry visa but my itinerary suggests I needed a single-entry visa. They granted me a single-entry visa despite my request for double.

5. How much money should I have in the bank to get approved?

This is a bit tricky.

Some online sources and travel agencies claim that your bank account must have a minimum of P100,000. But I handled my friend’s recent application and she has around P70,000 in her bank account, but she was granted a visa. It was also her first time applying.

I don’t know if we just got lucky or something. But I’m just sharing our experience.

My personal rule is this: I add the cost of all the flights and hotel reservations I submit and then add P10,000 per day of stay.

6. What are the reasons why my visa application would be denied?

This applies not just to the Chinese Embassy but also other countries:

• You can’t prove that you intend to return to the Philippines . You probably don’t have a stable job at this point, newly employed, or newly resigned, and it’s giving the impression that you plan on staying longer than your declared duration.
• You can’t prove that you can financially afford this trip. You or your sponsor may not be in a good financial standing.
• Your documents are inconsistent. Your application form may be stating one thing, but your supporting documents may be suggesting another.
• Your purpose in China is unclear or dubious . This is why it is best to be specific when you’re detailing the reasons for your visit.

We have more detailed explanations in this post: COMMON REASONS WHY VISA APPLICATIONS ARE DENIED!

7. Do I really need flight tickets before applying?

No, you don’t need to plane tickets. If anything, you are DISCOURAGED from purchasing plane tickets so you won’t waste money in the event that your application is rejected.

Actual tickets are NOT a requirement. What you can submit is a so-called FLIGHT RESERVATION , which is different from actual tickets. “Reservations” are just proof that you have blocked these plane seats. Some airlines can hold the booking for you.

Travel agencies can also issue flight reservations. If you don’t have time to go to a travel agency, you can have it reserved online.

Our go-to travel agency for flight reservations (and travel insurance) for visa application is Gazelle Travel and Tours , a DTI-registered and DOT-accredited agency. We created a form here so you can contact them completely ONLINE:

MORE INFO: Flight and Hotel Reservations

8. can i just mail my application.

NO. Mail applications are not accepted.

9. What does an Chinese Visa look like?

10. I am submitting this and that. What are the chances of my application being approved?

I have no idea. No one and nothing can guarantee visa approval beforehand. The only person who can answer this question is the visa officer evaluating your application.

You can be adequately prepared for it, but sometimes, we just don’t know what is going to happen. Sometimes, no matter how qualified or prepared you are, you can still end up denied a visa.

2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ • 8️⃣ • 2️⃣

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Is this post helpful to you?

Related Posts:

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• Chinese Visa: How to Apply and Get One Successfully
• AUSTRALIAN VISA: REQUIREMENTS & ONLINE APPLICATION
• CANADA VISA: REQUIREMENTS & Online Application for Filipinos
• KOREAN VISA REQUIREMENTS & Application Process for Filipinos
• ITALIAN SCHENGEN VISA Requirements & Application Process (VIA Center)
• 12 Common Misconceptions About VISA APPLICATION
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This info is very helpful. I always wanted to travel to China and be on the Great Wall. I have just arrived from Indonesia last June 30 as an OFW. I have finished my contract and am planning to visit China. I am not sure if I will even be granted a tourist visa since I don’t have any ITR. I just have my bank account statement/certificate and my certificate of employment stating that I have worked for a company up until June 2019. Before I book my flights and hotel reservation, do you think I have a chance? THANK YOU in advance.

Thank you for provided us of these useful info about how to obtain Chinese visa, I was looking on iternet how to get it, but I didn’t find something explaining and clarifying the method. Actually I’m working with compagny ACgroupvoyages since a three weeks now, i don’t know if they will accept my demand or not. What do you think?

Hello po just want to ask,they handed me the pink slip( claim slip), is there a chance that my visa will be approve? It says there to be inquired

Did you claim your passport with visa ?, are you granted, please tell me thank you

Hi, I would like to ask about applying for a chinese visa for my sister. You see, she’s still a minor and both of our parents are working abroad. We didn’t take any legal action of obtaining any document that will prove that my aunt (the one taking care of us) is our legal guardian. We already have a roundtrip flight ticket going to Beijing (which is on December 10 to 16) and itineraries. Won’t there be any problem if we apply for a chinese visa for my minor sister? Or do we need at least our mother to apply for her since she’s a minor? My mother will be back by December and she’ll be applying for her visa abroad.

Hi Micko, unfortunately, I don’t have an answer. :(

Hi can you assist me to get tourist visa

Hi Yoshke! Hi I would like to ask if its possible to enter Shenzhen coming from hong kong and getting the visa on arrival. I need your advice thank you.

Hi KYO. Naku, I haven’t been to Shenzen so di ko po alam. :(

Hello Yoshke Dimen! I would like to know if do I need a visa if coming from Hong kong going to Shenzhen just for 1 day tour. Can I get it from the border or do I really need to apply first here in the Philippines?

Nope. Shenzhen doesn’t offer visa on arrival. They require chinese visa. Try asking travel agencies in Hongkong if they can give you 7 day visa. I knew some people who did that but they are working in Hongkong.

Nice Blog and it is really very knowledgeable…keep posting blog like that. keep sharing thank you very much………..

Hi. When I was accomplishing the application form digitally, there are items in the form where the space for filling out is very limited and if printed the text will be cut (e.g office address, home address, and names of family members). Is this okay or am I constrained to limit my answer with the first 3 to 4 words?

Thank you so much.

Hi, I have a trip on the 17th but have another trip on the 10th. Wont be able to process my visa til the 14th. Do you think it’s possible?

hi. i am a housewife. my husband supports our trip to shanghai. i just want to know if do i need a letter of explanation or marriage contract will be enough to prove my source of income?

what i want to ask is what are the requirements i need for my application?

I will try to apply..due to Cebu pac PIso fare to Shenzhen :) I will try to walk in for Chinese Visa.

hello your blog is really helpful. can you help me clarify this because i am planning to apply for chinese visa i am currently a student legal age. My boyfriend is inviting me for a tour and for his cousins wedding. i have bank account since i worked before and just got back to school again. i dont have any itr or coe to give i only have my student id my bank account and my invitation letter . he can also state there that he is sponsoring my trip. is my documents enough to show to the embassy? your response will be a great help thank you

Hi Grace, your boyfriend is Chinese? If so, make sure you also submit photocopy of the inviter’s Chinese ID or passport with Chinese residence permit.

Regarding whether or not your docs are enough, hard to say. I think it’s okay to not have ITR or COE if you’re currently enrolled. I’m not sure if having a sponsor will affect your chances of approval, though.

Hi, what if my past Chinese visa is a group visa? Does that count or do I need to submit the financial requirements?

hello! Actually I am going to SFO from manila but my flight itinerary says I have 2 layovers in China which is Guangzhou and Wuhan. Would you know if I will be needing a Chinese visa for that?

No you dont need a visa if you intend to stay in the airport and as long as you do not stay for more than 24 hrs

Hi Caryl, I’m not that familiar with the intricacies of the layover policies of China, but it’s likely that you will need a visa. Best to call the airline directly to be sure.

Hi, just a question though, do you still need to go to BIR office to have your ITR stamped?

Hi,my bf and I are planning to go to shenzhen.his my sponsor going to china.but before China, we’re going to Hong Kong.i don’t have enough money in my bank account but my bf is Japanese and have his own business and good provider.im going to apply for Chinese visa this month and supposed to be going in Hong Kong on March or April,i.its my first time going to china.is their a possibility that I can go or can’t enter to China?! we’ve been to Hong Kong 3 times.so this time after Hong Kong,1 or 2 day’s stay in China.please help me to relieve coz I’m a little bit confused and worried coz my bf really wanted me to bring in China…..

Hi Cha, to be honest, when we applied, walang BIR stamp ung sa amin pero tinanggap naman. Di ko alam if lucky lang. But since BIR-stamped ung nasa list nila, I still encourage you na magpa-stamp to be safe.

Hello, when your workmate submitted her application, is she alone? Or was it applied together with some of your colleagues? Does applying alone or in group affect the visa application?

Hi po, regarding the bank cert and bank statement requirement of 100k, ur friend was approved with just 70k po? Uhm may I ask po if she’s been to korea, japan or any visa-required country prior to the China Visa application? Or what countries she’s been to prior to this visa application? Is she also a business owner? That might have been a factor. Im quite doubtful for me. Coz I’ve only been to non-visa countries+japan only and I also only have about 70k, so Im looking for any commonality between ur friend and my situation ehe… Pls kindly advise, tnx

She’s well traveled naman mostly in Asia and Australia. Kaya siguro pinayagan na.

Hello good evening, if I already had 2 Chinese visas in the past (December 2017 & July 2019 single entries) , I kinda forgot what do i need to submit….do I need to provide bank certificate on my renewal?

or just items 1-6 & 9-10 (since this is my 3rd renewal or application of Chinese visa)?

Looking forward for your response. Thank you.

can i stay in china for 6 months straight . Using an invitation letter .

how about if I am applying as a freelancer? I had obtained visa for Korea and Japan as a freelancer po, can i apply as well for China as a freelancer? what do I need to submit po

What if my aunt does not have an ITR (since she is a home-maker)? Will my uncle’s ITR and documents suffice?

Thank you for your really helpful guide. I’ll be visiting my girlfriend who’s currently working in China and I’ll be staying at her place. I basically have 2 questions:

1) Shall I put her as my inviting person or not? 2) Do I need to put my ‘meet-up’ with her in the itinerary and show ‘evidences’ of my relationship to her?

I’ve been granted a Japanese Visa before, but back then, I was with my family. I’m a bit anxious since it’s my first time applying for a Visa on my own.

Thank you, Yoshke!

We can’t encourage anything other than being truthful when applying for a visa, so if I were in your shoes, I would declare I was invited and mention my meetup.

But many applicants na okay ang work/finances understandably choose to not mention being invited because it complicates things. Lalo na when the applicant will be shouldering all the expenses anyway. I’m not saying that’s what you should do. Just sharing.

HI, do we need to pass original documents of our permits? like bir, mayors, dti, etc.. thanks

Hi John, in our case, we submitted a colored photocopy. We brought the original in case gusto nila i-verify pero di naman hiningi. Dalhin mo na lang din.

Hello po…pwede na ulit kaya mgtravel by next year?

Hi Yoshke, does a group visa count as an exception to submit financial documents?

Hi, planning to visit Shanghai again this year. My previous visa is Business Visa (M), if I want to apply for tourist visa do I need to submit financial and employment document again even though I have a previous visa already? Thanks

Thank you for your really helpful guide. I’ll be visiting my girlfriend who’s currently working in China and I’ll be staying at her place. I basically have 2 questions:

1) Shall I put her as my inviting person or not? 2) Do I need to put my ‘meet-up’ with her in the itinerary and show ‘evidences’ of my relationship to her?

I’ve been granted a Japanese Visa before, but back then, I was with my family. I’m a bit anxious since it’s my first time applying for a Visa on my own.

Here are my 2 cents:

1. If you’re declaring you’ll be staying at her place, I think you should put her as the inviting person. Otherwise, it doesn’t make much sense.

2. YES, if you’re staying at her place.

Hello, I will be in HK on April, it is impossible if I will apply and go in Beijing ,and also apply visa in HK? thank you

Hi. Kumusta yung naging travel mo? Balak ko din sana gawin yung plan mo.

I’m not sure but I think it’s possible. However I am not familiar with the process and requirements.

My friend applied for Chinese Visa but she got denied twice. She submitted all the requirements plus the invitation of the Company inviting her. She was going to China that time for business trip. After third attempt, she was granted the Visa and she went there for 3 to 4x already (business trip)

Hello. I know this is a bit of a very petty question but I just wanted to make sure that I follow everything. Two photos are required. It says, one photo should be pasted on the application form. Stapled, taped or clipped photo will not be accepted. What about the other photo, do we clip it on the form to make sure that it doesn’t get lost?

Hi. I am planning to go to Shanghai as a tourist. I have previous chinese visa with M category. Do I still need to submit financial docs? TIA.

200 dollars per day? Wow! That’s a lot! I went to Xi’an and Beijing last November for 9 days and I only spent about 600 dollars for everything including airfare from Manila. I know someone who only have about 1000 dollars in his bank account and got approved. Confirmed round-trip tickets will actually help you boost your application approval because it gives them guarantee that the visitor will return.

really useful guide on applying for a visa – ill follow it step by step

Have you any idea if an visit invitation from a frienf is acceptable?

S2 visa I need help assistant

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• About the Embassy
• Embassy's News
• China-Malaysia Relations

Question 1: Under what circumstances can Malaysian citizens apply to the visa free policy?

Answer: From 0:00(Beijing time) on December 1, 2023 to 24:00 (Beijing time) on November 30, 2024, the Chinese government will implement 15-day visa free policy for Malaysian citizens holding ordinary passport who enter China for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes.

According to the agreement concluded between the Governments of China and Malaysia in 2011, Malaysian holders of diplomatic and official passports are normally not required to apply for a visa beforehand when travelling to China for a short period of time (not exceeding 30 days).

For other visa free policies, please visit the website of the National Immigration Administration of China ( https://www.nia.gov.cn/ ) or call the 12367 hotline of the local immigration department for more information.

Question 2: Under what circumstances do Malaysian citizens still need to apply for a visa to visit China?

Answer: 1. Holders of Malaysian ordinary passports who travel to China for business, tourism, or family visit, and intend to stay in China for more than 15 days; 2. Holders of ordinary passports who travel to China for study, employment,  permanent residence, study visit, news coverage, etc..3. Other circumstances where a visa is required.

Question 3: What are the requirements for ordinary passport holders applying Chinese Visa?

Answer: Besides visa application form, photo, invitation letter, previous China visa record, there are two more requirements for ordinary passport holders applying for Chinese Visa: firstly, applicants need to fill out the visa application form online; secondly, applicants need to submit the application in person at the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Visa Application Service Center (hereinafter referred to as the Centre) for fingerprint collection.

Applicants can complete the online form through the "Quick Access" section of the Visa Application Centre's website. The website address of the Visa Application Centre is:  https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle/

Question 4: After completing the online application form, is it necessary to make an appointment online?

Answer: From November 24, 2023, the Embassy and Consulates General of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia canceled the online appointment for China visa application. Applicants can walk in the China Visa Application Service Centre(CVASC) in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Penang or the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu without online appointment to apply for visas with relevant documents.

Question 5: After completing the online application form, is it necessary to submit the application at the Centre?

Answer: Yes. Please print out the confirmation page and the complete form (7 pages in total, preferable double sided), and sign the confirmation page and item 9 of the form, and submit the application in person with all the required documents (please refer to  the Notice on Visa Application, updated November 2023 ) at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur retain ten fingerprints.

Upon arrival, please obtain a queue number. When your number has been called, please submit your application at the respective counter.

Visa Centre address: Level 5, Hampshire Place Office, Jalan Mayang Sari, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Question 6: After completing the online application form, can I appoint someone else to submit the visa application documents for me at the Visa Application Centre?

Answer: Applicants must present personally to submit the visa application at the Visa Application Centre on time and retain 10 fingerprints. Applicants who are exempted from fingerprint may entrust another person to submit the visa application.

The applicant must be physically in Malaysia at the time of submission of the visa application documents. If you are not in Malaysia then, please submit your application to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General or visa application centre in the country where you are currently staying, or apply after you return to Malaysia.

Question 7: How may an applicant be exempted from fingerprint collection?

Answer: The following applicants are exempted from fingerprints collection: Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70; Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia or the Centre in Kuala Lumpur with the same passport; Applications for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas; Applicants with all fingers uncollectible.

Question 8: What are the requirements for visa invitation letter?

Answer:  The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.

The invitation letter should contain:

1. Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

2. Information of the visit (purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of stay, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)

3. Information of the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)

The content of the invitation letter needs to be true and valid, and there should be no missing items, otherwise the applicant will bear all the responsibilities caused by the return or rejection of the application.

Question 9: How long is the processing time after successfully submitting all the application documents (how long in advance should I submit the visa application)? 

Answer: Under normal circumstances, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia can process the visa within 4 working days (in case of holidays, the processing time will be postponed). The applicant can collect the passport on the collection date listed on the pickup form. For special cases, the Embassy has the right to extend the processing time of the visa (if it exceeds 4 working days, please e-mail the Visa Application Centre for inquiries). It is suggested that applicants fill in the form and submit the visa application online about one month before the intended date of entry. If there is no urgent or special reason to go to China recently, it is recommended to avoid the current peak of visa applications and arrange the application time appropriately.

Question 10: Is expedited service available for visa application? 

Answer: After the visa application materials are successfully submitted, the visa processing time is: 4 working days for regular applications, 3 working days for express applications, and 2 working days for urgent applications (in case of holidays, the processing time will be postponed). If you require expedited service, please inform the front desk staff at the Visa Application Centre when submitting your visa and pay an additional expedited fee ( Schedule of Fees ).

Question 11: What is the visa procedures upon arriving at the visa centre?

Answer: Before proceeding to the Visa Application Centre, please make sure that you have all the required visa application documents ready (please refer to the Notice on the Latest Requirements for Visa Applications for Foreigners to China, updated on 14 March 2023). Arrive at the Visa Application Centre on time for your appointment and follow the steps below to complete your visa application:

1. Preliminary review: Show visa application form, original passport, copy of passport information page and other application materials to the information counter staff.

2. Obtain a queue number: After capturing photo on the spot, scanning passport information, kindly obtain the queue number at the information counter.

3. Submission: Submit the application to the application counter (according to the regulations, the Visa Application Centre will collect the applicant's ten fingerprints on the spot. If an interview is required, the Visa Application Centre will contact the applicant. Please proceed to the Embassy for the interview at the designated time slot. After the application is accepted, the counter staff will issue a Payment Notice to be paid at the cashier counter.

4. Payment: After submitting the application, you need to pay the visa fee and service fee in full amount on the same day (bank card or cash payment), and will receive a pick-up form and a Receipt. If the applicant fails to pay the full amount, the Visa Application Centre will terminate the application and the consequences thereof shall be borne by the applicant.

5. Collection: Please keep the pick-up form properly, and collect the passport on the appointed collection date in person or entrust a third party to collect your passport with the original pick-up form.   

Question 12: Is payment to be done upon submission or collection?

Answer: Payment shall be made upon submission. After the visa application documents are successfully submitted, the applicant will pay the fee at the cashier counter with the Payment Notice. The fee includes the visa fee (express fee, if any) charged on behalf of the Embassy and the service fee charged by the Visa Application Centre. If the visa application is not approved by the Embassy, or is refused, or changed, the service fee will not be refunded.

Question 13: How to check the visa application status after submission?

Answer: The Visa Application Centre website provides 24-hour online visa application status service. You can check in the "Quick Access" section under "Status" on the Visa Application Centre website (Chinese Visa Application Service Center ( visaforchina.cn) .

Question 14:  Can I cancel my submitted visa application?       

Answer: Visa application which has been submitted but not completed can be canceled. Please note that in case of cancellation of visa application, the service fee paid will not be refunded.

Question 15: What are working hours, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the Visa Application Centre? What should I do if the consultation number cannot be reached?

Answer: Visa Centre in Kuala Lumpur working hours (working days):

Submission of applications: 9:00 to 15:00.

Submission of express applications: 9:00 to 12:00.

Collection: 9:00 to 16:00.

Address: Level 5, Hampshire Place Office, Jalan Mayang Sari, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contact information: 006-03-21760888   (working days 9:00-16:00, except public holidays)

E-mail address: [email protected] 

Due to the high volume of telephone service on weekdays, if you fail to reach us, it is recommended that you make enquiry via e-mail.

For visa applicants in East Malaysia, please refer to the notice on the website of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

Question 16: Does an APEC card holder require to apply for a visa? Is it required to proceed to the Embassy to complete any formalities?

Answer: Since 24 August 2022, traveler with a valid APEC Business Travel Card physical card was allowed to enter China, and does not need to re-apply for visas to China or go through procedures at the Embassy. The Embassy does not accept APEC card applications, please consult relevant government departments in Malaysia for details.

Question 17: Is multiple-entry visa applicable for Malaysians?          

Answer: Yes. Besides passport, application form, photo, invitation letter and other visa application materials, Malaysian citizens applying for multiple-entry visas are also required to provide the previous record of Chinese visa issued or the record of corresponding number of visits to China:

1. L-visa (Tourist visa)

(1) 3-month multiple entry L-visa: Itinerary issued by the cruise company.

(2) 1-year multiple entry L-visa: Detailed travel itinerary and corresponding irrevocable air ticket, hotel booking and photocopies of previous Chinese visas and previous records of travelling to China.

2. M-visa (Commercial Trade Activities)

(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.

(2) 2-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or photocopies of previous 3 times entry records or more within 5 years.

(3) 3-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entries Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 2 visa granted for 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 5 entries records or more within 5 years.

3. Q2-visa (Family visit visa)

(1) 6-month to 2-year multiple entry Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa issued within 5 years.

(2) 3-year to 5-year multiple entry Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or photocopy of previous 2 visas or more issued for 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa. 

4. S2-Visa (Personal matters visa)

For visiting family members for a short period, you may apply for a multiple entry S2-visa with the validity period of not exceeding the validity period of the inviting individual's residence permit.

For private affairs such as inheritance, litigation, having real estate in China, etc.:

(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.

(2) 2-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or photocopy of previous 3 entries records or more to China within 5 years.

(3) 3-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entry Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopies of previous 1-year multiple entry Chinese visa for more than 2 times within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 5 entry records or more to China within 5 years.

Question 18: Can foreign nationals from third countries who come to Malaysia temporarily apply for multiple visas?

Answer: Unless otherwise specified in bilateral agreements, foreign nationals of third countries who come to Malaysia temporarily can only apply for a single-entry visa.

Question 19: How to apply for a visa to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR?

Answer: Malaysian passport holders who visit Hong Kong SAR for less than 90 days are exempted from applying for visas; Malaysian passport holders can travel to Macau SAR without a visa and the duration of stay is determined by the Public Security Police Force of the Macao SAR. If the purpose of the visit is for residence, work, study, receive vocational training, performing, holding exhibitions, etc., you need to apply for a visa in advance. For details, please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong SAR: www.immd.gov.hk; Consultation telephone: 0085228246111; Website of the Public Security Police Force of the Macao SAR: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/; Hotline: 0085328725488.

If you need to apply for a visa to the Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR, you can submit application materials to the Visa Application Center. In accordance with relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macau SAR have the rights to carry out immigration control on their own. The final issuance of a visa is at the discretion of the Embassy or the SAR Government, and the Visa Application Centre is not involved in the approval process. Visa Application Centre will charge visa fees, urgent fees, Hong Kong and Macau visa liaison fees (if any), and service fees. The above service fee is non-refundable regardless of visa approval or not.

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Guide to Application for Chinese Visas

（ Updated 1 4 th   Mar . 202 3 ）

From the 1 5 th of March  202 3 , the visa requirements for visits to  China will be adjusted according to the latest notice from the Chinese Embass y  and Consulates in South Korea. The updated processing procedures and material requirements are as follows :

1. Please fill out your visa application form and make a reservation online through https://www.visaforchina.org . Please DON’T forget to  print out your visa application form as well as the reservation form in advance before submitting your application at the scheduled time .

2.  All Visa applicants must  submit the application documents  in person  and have their fingerprints collected.

Please be noted that fingerprint collection is not required for:  

a. Children under 14 years old or adults over 70 years old.

b. Diplomatic Passport Holders, diplomatic officials or courtesy visa applicants.

c. Applicants who have had fingerprints collected and have obtained Chinese visa issued by the same Chinese Embassy, Consulates, or the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers with the same passports within 5 years.

d. Applicants whose ten fingers are all  mutilated or whose fingerprints are not able to be collected.

Applicants  w ho don’t require fingerprint collection could entrust a third party to submit the application.

3.  D ocuments  for applying:

a.  Visa Application Form and Reservation Form.

b. Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with at least 2 pieces of blank visa page s . A photocopy of the passport page that contains your photo, personal information, and signature.

c.  A  recent immigration certificate or entry confirmation slip  or a valid Korean alien registration card or a Korean visa (third-country citizens only)

d.  Previous   Chinese passport or previous   Chinese visa (suitable for Chinese nationality, and later joined foreign nationality) .

e. Specific document s for different visa categories:

f.  To apply for an emergency humanitarian visa, such as going to China for a funeral or visiting a critically unwell  patient, the deceased’s or patient’s identity document (such as a Chinese ID card or a foreigner passport, etc.), a death certificate  of the deceased  or a medical certificate a critical illness notice  of the patient issued by the hospital, relatives Proof of relationship  and other documents will be required for submission .

4. All Visa Categories mentioned above shall be applied via the Chin ese  Visa Application Service Center. You may contact our center for the specific procedures and requirements for issuing visa.

About the Chin ese  Visa Application Service Center:

Busan Chinese Visa Application Service Center

Address ： 5thFloor, C1 Haeundae I ’ PARK, 38 Marine City 2-ro Haeundae, Busan, the Republic of Korea.

Call: 051-9200800

Fax ： 051-920-0866

E-mail: [email protected]

5 . Please contact the Chinese embassy or consulates  in Korea for diplomatic and public service visas.

14 th   Mar. 2023

Chinese visa application service center

Business Hours: Monday - Friday

Visa application: 9:00-15:00

Payment and collection: 13:00-15:00

NOTICE: Our visa counter will accept rush(express/urgent) service(3rd working day/2nd working day) application until 11:30.

Location： 5 th Floor, C1 Haeundae I’PARK , 38 Marine City 2-ro Haeundae, Busan, the Republic of Korea

Call：051-920-0800 ( Please leave your name and contact number by e-mail when the phone call cannot be connected )

Fax：051-920-0866

Email： [email protected]

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Verification Letter of Invitation Requirement in the China Visa Process: A Brief Guide

A Verification Letter of Invitation is required when certain foreigners apply for M/F visas to China such as those from the Middle East. The inviting Chinese company has to ensure the invitees conduct themselves appropriately in China and depart on time as scheduled.

In light of recent developments, the application procedures for business visas to China have undergone substantial simplification. Most foreigners can now apply for an M/F visa using only the invitation letter issued by a Chinese company. Additionally, citizens of certain countries are eligible to enter China without a visa and stay for up to 144 hours or even 15 days .

However, it’s important to note that some applicants may still need to apply for a “Verification Letter of Invitation (邀请核实单)” when applying for an M/F visa to China. In this article, we will introduce what a Verification Letter of Invitation is, who needs to apply for it, and the potential risks.

Wha t is a  Verification Letter for Invitation ?

A Verification Letter for Invitation is an official document issued by the local Foreign Affairs Office to verify the authenticity of an invitation extended to a foreigner. Among others, the foreign applicant should possess legit identification; the party issuing the invitation letter must be legitimate, either a public unit or a company; and the reasons for the visit should fall within permissible scope. The allowable purposes of the visit include:

• For exchange, visit, investigation(F visa)
• For commercial and trade activities (M visa)

It’s important to note that in most cases, the invitation letter provided by the inviting unit (whether a public entity or a company) is sufficient for M/F visa applications. The Verification Letter for Invitation is only required when the Chinese embassies or consulates in certain countries specifically ask for the document.

Meanwhile, it is also essential to note that obtaining a Verification Letter for Invitation does not guarantee visa approval. The final decision on granting a visa rests with the Chinese embassy abroad, based on the specific circumstances of the applicant.

Difference from the PU/TE letter

The PU/TE letter is also a type of official verification letter that foreigners need to receive before applying for several types of visas. With the PU letter, foreigners could apply Chinese business visa (M visa). With the TE letter, foreigners could apply China visitor visa (F visa). However, these two types of verification letters were mostly applicable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic control concerns, PU/TE letter issuance was very strict, for which the company needed to prove the project was very urgent and important or foreign invitees would make big contribution to the destination city.

Now, the Verification Letter of Invitation is the most common document to be submitted where a verification letter is required.

Who needs to apply for the Verification Letter for Invitation?

Based on current information, foreign applicants in Sri Lanka and most Middle East countries – such as Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, and so on – need to submit a Verification Letter for Invitation when they apply for a visa to China.

That said, a Verification Letter for Invitation might not be required in a few Middle East countries, such as Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we suggest that foreign applicants consult with their the local Chinese embassy or consulate to confirm in advance.

How to apply for the V erification L etter for Invitation ?

The Verification Letter for Invitation needs to be applied for by the inviting Chinese company (inviter) at the local Foreign Affairs Office. The detailed procedures may vary slightly from city to city. But in general, the application may follow the below process:

Step 1: Account setup

The inviting Chinese company must open an online account on the official website of the Foreign Affairs Office. To open the account, the company may need to submit some documents, such as:

• Business License
• ID card or passport of legal representatives
• Company tax payment certificate
• Other required documents

Step 2: Prepare and submit application documents

Once the inviting Chinese company has an account, it can provide information about the invitee and submit relevant documents. The required documents usually include:

• Application Form for Inviting Foreigners to China
• Copy of the invited person’s valid passport (with a validity period of at least six months)
• Invitation Letter issued by the inviting organization
• Guarantee Letter issued by the inviting organization
• Dispatch Letter from the invitee’s current employer
• Government approval document, screenshot of exhibition registration, and relevant documents such as exhibition contracts and booth layouts (for those attending international conferences, exhibitions, or large-scale events in China)

Each document has specific requirements. The reviewing department will evaluate the situation and may request additional documents from the applicant company. Normally, the application process takes 4-5 working days, unless supplementary documents are needed. Once approved, the applicant company can download an Invitation Verification Letter from the online system. The application is free of charge.

If supplementary documents are required or if the submitted documents have deficiencies, the application processing time may be significantly extended. Foreign applicants are advised to allocate sufficient time for the application process to avoid any delays in their travel itinerary

Potential risks for the inviting company

As above mentioned, the Chinese company acting as the inviter for the Verification Letter of Invitation must issue a Guarantee Letter. The Guarantee Letter serves as a commitment that all submitted documents are accurate and authentic. Additionally, the company pledges to supervise and encourage the foreign invitee to adhere to Chinese laws and regulations and depart from China as scheduled.

If the invitee fails to leave China on time or engages in any illegal activities, the company assumes responsibility.

Considering this, companies should exercise caution when inviting foreigners to China. The application for the Verification Letter of Invitation should be grounded in genuine necessity. Additionally, the inviting company must proactively ensure that the invitees conduct themselves appropriately while in China and adhere to departure schedules.

China Briefing is one of five regional Asia Briefing publications, supported by Dezan Shira & Associates . For a complimentary subscription to China Briefing’s content products, please click here .

Dezan Shira & Associates assists foreign investors into China and has done so since 1992 through offices in Beijing , Tianjin , Dalian , Qingdao , Shanghai , Hangzhou , Ningbo , Suzhou , Guangzhou , Dongguan , Haikou , Zhongshan , Shenzhen , and Hong Kong . We also have offices in Vietnam , Indonesia , Singapore , United States , Germany , Italy , India , and Dubai (UAE) and partner firms assisting foreign investors in The Philippines , Malaysia , Thailand , Bangladesh , and Australia . For assistance in China, please contact the firm at [email protected] or visit our website at www.dezshira.com .

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Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.

Umbraphiles feeling the post-eclipse blues should start checking the expiration date on their passports.

The next total solar eclipse is set to happen on Aug. 12, 2026, over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small part of Portugal, according to NASA . 

In North America, only a partial eclipse will be visible, so if April’s event made you an eclipse chaser and you want to see totality, you’ll need to head overseas.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Here’s what you’ll need to know before packing your bags:

Do you need a passport or visa for the best destination?

The path of totality for the 2026 eclipse mostly goes through places Americans can travel visa-free with their passport, so long as they’re planning to stay for less than 90 days.

Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Greenland all allow visa-free tourist travel for U.S. passport holders.

Spain, Portugal and Iceland are also members of the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel in much of Europe, meaning if you decide to make a multi-country trip out of your eclipse adventure, you won’t need to clear customs if you’re coming from much of the rest of Europe, either.

One major change for travelers to Europe from the U.S., however, is that electronic preauthorization will become a requirement beginning in mid-2025. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) requirement will apply to all four open countries in the path of totality. 

Depending on the state of the Ukraine war, travel to Russia may or may not be an option for most Americans by 2026, so it’s unclear what the paperwork requirements will be by then.

Is it better to see it from the beach?

Beaches can be a great place to see the eclipse because there are few natural obstacles blocking observers’ views of the sky. The 2026 path of totality passes over beaches on Spain’s northern and southeastern coasts, as well as over islands in the Mediterranean Sea including Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. The eclipse will also pass over coastal areas in Greenland and Iceland, according to the National Solar Observatory . 

Cruising Altitude: What it was like to see the eclipse from a plane

Will there be eclipse cruises or flights?

Almost certainly, although most operators have not announced specific plans yet. 

Cruise lines will also offer more viewing opportunities. Princess Cruises “has created a bespoke itinerary aboard Sky Princess to position the ship near Spain on that date,” according to a spokesperson for the line. The cruise will open for bookings on Princess’s website on May 23.

Cunard Line has sailings on its Queen Mary 2 , Queen Victoria and Queen Anne vessels that will put passengers in prime spots to watch .

'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Holland America Line is also planning multiple sailings around the event, though details are still to be announced. “Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, previously told USA TODAY in an email.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.

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When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: May 2024

Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process . If you already have a petition filed or approved on your behalf, you may have to wait for an available visa in your category (if applicable) before you can file your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status . This page will help you determine when to file your adjustment of status application.

When to File

Use the Visa Bulletin charts below to determine when to file your adjustment of status application.

To use the charts:

• Find your visa type in the first column (on the left) of the appropriate chart (Family-sponsored or Employment-based).
• Stay in that row and move directly to the right to find the corresponding date under the country of your birth (as listed in the boldface columns across the top).
• If the date on the chart is current (“C”), or your priority date is earlier than the date on the chart, you may file your adjustment of status application, if otherwise eligible to do so.
•  “U” means unauthorized; for example, numbers are not authorized for issuance.

Your priority date is generally the date when your relative or employer properly filed the immigrant visa petition on your behalf with USCIS. If a labor certification is required to be filed with your immigrant visa petition, the priority date is the date the labor certification application was accepted for processing by the Department of Labor.

About the Visa Bulletin

DOS publishes current immigrant visa availability information in a monthly Visa Bulletin . The Visa Bulletin indicates when statutorily limited visas are available for issuance to prospective immigrants based on their individual priority date.

On Nov. 20, 2014, the Secretary of Homeland Security directed USCIS to work with DOS to:

• Ensure that all immigrant visas authorized by Congress are issued to eligible individuals when there is sufficient demand for such visas, and
• Improve the Visa Bulletin system for determining when immigrant visas are available to applicants during the fiscal year.

Additionally, in July 2015, the Administration issued its report on Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century (PDF) . This report included detailed recommendations to revise and update the monthly Visa Bulletin to better estimate immigrant visa availability and provide needed predictability to nonimmigrant workers seeking permanent residency.

USCIS, in coordination with DOS, revised the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for adjustment of status. The revised process will better align with procedures DOS uses for noncitizens who seek to become U.S. permanent residents by applying for immigrant visas at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad.

This revised process will enhance DOS’s ability to more accurately predict overall immigrant visa demand in determining the cut-off dates for the Visa Bulletin. This will help ensure that the maximum number of immigrant visas are issued annually as intended by Congress, and minimize month-to-month fluctuations in Visa Bulletin final action dates. Additional goals are outlined in the White House report, Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century (PDF) .

New Visa Bulletin Charts

The Visa Bulletin will now have two different charts because of the revised procedures. DOS will post two charts per visa preference category in the DOS Visa Bulletin. The charts are:

• Application Final Action Dates (dates when visas may finally be issued); and
• Dates for Filing Applications (earliest dates when applicants may be able to apply).

When USCIS determines there are immigrant visas available for the filing of additional adjustment of status applications, the Dates for Filing Applications chart may be used to determine when to file an adjustment of status application with USCIS. Otherwise, the Application Final Action Dates chart must be used to determine when to file an adjustment of status application with USCIS.

In coordination with the DOS, USCIS will monitor visa numbers each month and post the relevant chart on this page under When to File.

Determining Visa Availability

USCIS considers several factors to determine if there is a greater supply of visas than the demand for those visas. To determine visa availability, USCIS will compare the number of visas available for the remainder of the fiscal year with:

• Documentarily qualified visa applications reported by DOS;
• Pending adjustment of status applications reported by USCIS; and
• Historical drop off rate of applicants for adjustment of status (for example, denials, withdrawals and abandonments)