Apply for China Visa Online - Guide & Processes 2024/2025

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on January 24, 2024:

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

2. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is now available for other 6 countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. China will be 15-day visa free for Ireland and Switzerland soon.

3. China will gradually phase out the appointment system for visa applications. As of now, nearly 100 Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have implemented the "walk-in" system, and it is expected that all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will have implemented the "walk-in" system by the end of this year.

4. 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."

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

6. The 15-day visa-free entry policy for Singaporean citizens has been resumed.

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. Make the following adjustments to the visa and entry policies for foreigners entering China, effective from 00:00 March 15, 2023 Beijing time:

1). The entry function of visas which were issued before March 28, 2020 and still valid will be restored.

2). Overseas visa offices will resume issuing various types of visas (including Tourist Visa) for foreigners to travel to China, with specific requirements detailed in the visa application guidelines of Chinese embassies or consulates.

3). Port visa offices will resume issuing various types of port visas for lawful purposes.

4). The policies of visa-free entry for Hainan, Shanghai International cruise arrival, Guangdong for Tourist group entry of foreigners from Hong Kong, Macau, and ASEAN tourist groups entering Guilin, Guangxi will be restored.

9. Attention on China Group Visa on Arrival in Nepal: needs minimum 4 applicants, and no maximum limit. All applicants from one list must all come to the Visa Center for application.

10. 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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Can I Apply for a Chinese Visa Online?

The ways to apply for a Chinese Visa differ from countries and visa types. Currently, no one can apply for and get a Chinese Visa just through the Internet. However, if you are in the 2 following cases, you can complete the application form online in advance, and book an appointment online for offline submission. That would save you much time, avoid long queues.

1.) If you plan to apply for Chinese Visa in US, Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Norway, Guyana and etc, you must make the submission directly to the Chinese Embassy and Consulates by using the COVA (China Visa Online Application) and AVAS (Appointment for Visa Application Submission) systems. Click https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn to see if you can complete visa application form online to the embassy.

2.) If you reside in and plan to apply in the 46 countries/regions (including Canada, Australia, UK, Malaysia, Singapore, France...), you are required to submit China Visa Application to the CVASC (China Visa Application Service Center). Visit http://www.visaforchina.org/ to check whether you should submit via the visa service center.

Other applicants must download the newest application form (v 2013) from official website, fill in the electronic form (in PDF/Word format) and print it out, submit with all required documents to the consular office of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates.

Apply China Visa Online to the Chinese Embassy and Consulate

Once confirmed you are eligible for visa submission at COVA, you must complete the China Visa Application Form and pre-book an appointment online, and submit all required application documents to the visa offices of the Chinese Embassies and Consulates. Below are detailed processes:

Homepage of the China Visa Online Application System (COVA)

① Log in the official website of COVA (https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn), choose the country and city you will submit application.

② Create an new China Visa Application Form online, fill in the electronic form step by step, provide all personal information completely and truthfully. Note down the application ID number for retrieving the saved form & booking a appointment. After careful check, save and submit the application form. The form cannot be changed once it is submitted.

③ Print the completed form out, sign and date it.

④ Visit https://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn to make an appointment for submission to the embassy. Print the confirmation page. (Use your Application ID to book the China Visa Online Appointment)

⑤ Arrive at the the embassy visa office at least 20 minutes in advance. Submit the paper form, confirmation page with other required documents when it’s your turn.

⑥ Pick up your passport and visa (if granted), once you are noticed by the visa officer. Pay the China Visa Fees to the embassy upon collection.

Notes:

* Most Chinese embassies and consulates require make appointment online in advance. Directly walking in the visa office to submit application without appointment may cause refusal by the embassy or consulate. If you want walk-in service, you can contact the Chinese embassies and consulates to check availability.

* You can submit and pick up the documents in person, or entrust another person, agent on your behalf.

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China Visa Application Submission to China Visa Application Center

In order to better serve applicants, Chinese Embassies and Consulates in Canada, Australia, UK, France, Malaysia, and other 41 countries hav authorized local China Visa Application Service Centers to accept visa application submission. Thus, you have to apply for Chinese Visa via the service center, go through all the processes as the center required. Follow the instruction below for your application:

Major Section on the Official Website of China Visa Application Service Center

⑴ Visit website of CVASC (http://www.visaforchina.cn/) to locate the country/city you live in. Get information about the visa center, including office hours, location, and contact numbers and emails.

⑵ View “Step by Step Guidance” & “Visa Knowledge” to know the required documents, frequently asked questions and tips, and general procedures.

⑶ Go to “Quick Access” to start a new China Visa Application Form, finish all information needed. Declare in the last section, and submit the application form online. Please also write down the form number once produced, for you can use it to change, cancel or reschedule your appointment.

⑷ Back to “Quick Access” to make an China Visa Online Appointment. The center will be closed during weekends and public holidays.

⑸ Print the visa application form, the confirmation page of the appointment.

⑹ Visit the service center at least 10 minutes before the booking time, submit all the prepared documents (including the passport, printed form, confirmation page of appointment and else supporting documents). You can choose express or rush service, mail-back service if it is offered. Pay the visa fees and service charges then. How Much is a Chinese Visa?

⑺ Track the visa processing status online. Once noticed it is processed and ready for collection, you can pick up your passport & other documents in person, or by third party.

Notes:

* You will pay additional service fees to the visa center, while visa fees is charged by the embassy. So the totally cost is higher than direct submission to the embassies.

* Urgent application (if available) must be submitted before 11:30 am on that day.

* Many visa centers only accept visa applications with appointments, and they do NOT accept walk-in submission.

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Useful Advice on China Visa Online Application

1. A printed completed China Visa Application Form is always obligatory for all foreign applicants, whether you fill in the form through online systems of Chinese Embassy or China Visa Application Service Center. A qualified photo is also an crucial requirement.

2. You should submit application to the embassy or service center charging the area where you reside in, probably not the nearest one. If your home is too far away from the embassy/visa center, you can entrust your friend, an agent to submit your application.

3. It’s strongly suggested to book an appointment in advance if you can. Because it is much more convenient and time-saving.

Travel China Worry-free with China Discovery

China Discovery is an 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 Invitation Letter to help you obtain Chinese Visa. If it’s your first time travel to China, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Guilin are the top recommended destinations with best representative tourism attractions of. The great cultural, historical, natural landscape will fulfill your dream tour to China. For those who want an in-depth discovery in China, featured China Panda Tour, Ancient Silk Road Tour, High Speed Train Tour, Colorful Ethnic Tour are good ways to find more interesting places and authentic locals.

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If you are interested in China visa-free tour, we could also customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.