Chinese Visa 2024, How to Get a Visa for China

Chinese Visa - Visa for Travel to China 2024

While planing a trip to China, the visa topic always comes first and seriously. Indeed, China Visa is an obligatory official permission all foreign travelers normally required to obtained for a China travel. To obtain a valid visa and enter China successfully, you need to do massive relevant researches, choose a right type of visa, make piles of paperwork meticulously, pay appreciate fees and submit application to Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad. Once get it, you also need to enter adhering to related China’s laws and regulations.

Another good news is, China has carried out many visa-free policies for different situations of nationality, transportation of entry, place will visit, etc., to closer contact to the world and present diverse charm of China. Among all, the 144-Hour Transit in China Without Visa (TWOV) is most concerned and frequently used. Without pre-arrival application, qualified tourists could get “no-visa” entry and tour through fast procedures by a few documents, which is time, money and energy-saving.

Aiming at offering visa worry-free help for your journey to China. We introduced both visa waiver programs you may use, top destinations available, related trip planning ideas, and detailed instruction of applying for a regular China Visa, to make sure you learn each step and can smoothly get a China Visa as expected.

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Latest China Visa & Entry Notes updated on January 29, 2024

1. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy available for other six countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.

2. China will be visa-free for Singapore from February 9, 2024 and for Thailand from March 1, 2024.

3. Overseas visa offices issue 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.

4. 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.

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."

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!

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Important Things to Know about Chinese Visa

Being acquainted with key information of China Visa helps you avoid wasting time, money and making annoying mistakes. Above all, checking the visa exemptions to find out if you really need a visa. When an application is needed, confirm a right visa type, validity, fees and the correct way to apply. Follow our comprehensive guide to solve confusions and special situations during trip. Now, let’s get start to the introduction part first.

11 Important Things Should Know
Apply China Visa on your own or via an agent? When is the best time to apply? Can I change visa type or validity after issuance? Pick the best practical suggestions you may need.
Do I Need A Visa for China
The first and most important step is to check whether you are eligible for China’s visa-free policy. If yes, then you can travel to China without applying a visa and pay lots of fees.
Different China Visa Types
Judge you purpose of visiting, and choose the most appropriate visa category to apply, e.g. China L Visa is for tour, M Visa is for business, Z visa is for work in China.
How to Read A China Visa
Learn how to understand vital informations of your China Visa, including visa category, validity, duration of stay per entry, number of entry and so on.
China Tourist (L) Visa
The L Visa is issued to who intend to visit China for tourism. With it, you can travel to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin and more cities crossing different provinces, enter and exit through any port.
China Transit (G) Visa
Not qualified for China’s free transit rule? Then you must apply and get a China Transit/G Visa for layover in China before departure. Here offers detailed guide of needed documents, where and how to apply for it.
China Single, Double, Multiple-Entry Visa
Figure out difference between them, like entry limitations and application fees, and select the most suitable kind to meet your single, two-time or multiple-trip to China.
China Visa on Arrival
Only emergency entry, invited high-level talents, travel to Shenzhen, Zhuhai and other Special Economic Zones, special group tourists can apply China Visa on Arrival. Learn more application directions here.

How to Apply for A Chinese Visa

Confused by flood-like messages online and don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! China Discovery identifies each key step and leads you to know all China Visa application works clearly, correctly and completely. Please understand that an overall application involve basic requirement and supporting materials, fees and so on. You need to prepare all required documents and submit to Chinese Embassy or Consulate directly or through a China Visa Application Service Center nearby. Once learn it, you can apply by yourself, no more need to find a agent. (Complete Guide about Detailed Chinese Visa Application Processes »)

01

China Visa Requirements

Passport with over 6 months’ validity; completed visa application form; 2 qualified photos; related supporting documents like air tickets and hotel reservation, invitation letter, etc.
02

China Visa Application Form

Applicants in UK, Canada, Australia and designated 40 countries have to complete application form online and print it out. Others can download PDF file to fill in and print.
03

Invitatin Letter for China Visa

It is required if you apply for certain types of China Visa, e.g. Business or Work Visa, etc. If you are invited to travel to China, an invitation letter will help explain your purpose and itinerary.
04

China Visa Photo - Size & Requirements

Recent-taken (within 6 months) color photo in high definition, white background, high without hat on, paper photo size: 33mm×48mm; no filters, blurred picture, over-exposed photos.
05

Where to Apply for China Visa

Chinese Embassies (Consulates) are the only authorities to process China Visa application. Applying in US should direct visit Embassy office, please submit to Visa Center in Canada, Australia.
06

Apply China Visa Online

You must fill in visa application form online and make online appointment, if applying in UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and specific 40 foreign countries or regions via visa center.
07

How Much is A China Visa

China Visa is charged differently by nationalities, number of entry and places submit. It costs USD 140 for US passport holders for all types, CAD 100 for Canadian regular application.
08

How Long to Get A China Visa

A regular China Visa application takes about 4 to 5 working days. It’s suggested to submit application around 1 month in advance before your entry date to China.
09

China Visa Expedited Services

In most countries, you may pay additional fees for optional Express or Rush services to expedite processing to 1 to 2 working days. Shipping delivery time not included.
10

Apply China Visa in Hong Kong

Visit www.visaforchina.org to complete visa application form, book appointment online, then bring the form and all required documents to submit at the visa center in Hong Kong.
11

China Visa Renewal and Extension

During trip in China, you may renew and extend China Visa from the Exit& Entry Administrative Department of local Public Security Bureau at least 7 days before expiration.
12

Useful China Visa FAQs & Tip

64 updated China Visa-related questions are listed to give assistance for your visa application. Get the most valuable answers and advice to make a visa worry-free China tour.

Chinese Visa Exemption Policies

Based on the 15 different kinds of visa exemption rules of China, eligible foreigners can get exceptional visa-free entry and enjoy a certain period of journey in permitted areas in China. No visa incurs, only a valid passport, departing ticket and a few simple materials are needed. Be aware preconditions before planning such a trip.

Singaporeans, Bruneians and Japaneses ordinary passport holders may obtain a unilateral visa exemption for tour, business, visiting family or friends in China with 15 days. It’s free to travel to most cities across China then. Fiji, Qatar and all 14 countries benefit mutual visa exemption between China.

Visa-Free Transit (TWOV) is another popular way to make a short-term layover tour in China. Meeting related requirements, you may get a longer 144 hours in 20 top destinations in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc., or 72 hours free visa in Guilin, Harbin and Changsha. Besides, more regional visa waiver programs provided in China, like Hainan 30-Day Free Visa, Shanghai 15-Day Visa Free for Curise Groups, Pearl River Delta 6-Day Visa Free. Being a wonderful time-saver, each of them largely cuts your costs and enriches your journey with unique scenery and experience.

China Visa Free Policy and Visa Examptions

15 China Visa Free Policies

China Visa Free Cities & Regions

China Visa Free Countries

Guilin 6 Day Free Visa (for ASEAN)

Chinese Transit Visa Free

Currently, China offers 24-hour, 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa free, totally 3 kinds of special visa services for foreigners transit convenience. Eligible travelers not only get Transit Visa exempted without any charges, but also granted a short-term stopover to explore brilliant and diverse nature, culture and history of China, spice up your world journey.

72/144-Hour Visa Free Transit

To get a visa-free layover tour in China, you must hold valid passport of the appointed 53 countries and departing ticket to a third country or region (including HK, Macau, Taiwan), transit through China via certain port in cities or regions.

144-Hour Visa Cities (20):

● Beijing / Shanghai / Xian /Guangzhou / Chengdu

● Shenzhen / Tianjin / Hangzhou / Nanjing

● Xiamen / Kunming / Wuhan / Qingdao / Dalian

● Chongqing / Ningbo / Shenyang / Shijiazhuang / Qinhuangdao / Jieyang

72-Hour Visa Cities (3):

● Guilin / Harbin / Changsha

Transit Visa Free Countries

China 24-Hour Transit Visa Free is open to all international transiting passengers, while 72-Hour and 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit only applies to citizens of specific 53 foreign countries. Others not in the list should obtain a China Transit Visa prior to arrival. Check full list as below:

European Countries (39)

- Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (24): Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

- Other European Countries (15): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania,

How to Apply Free Transit

Applicants normally make request to the carrier when boarding, and follow a few simple steps to apply for a free entry and layover upon arrival. Also, you can make pre-arrival online application for Shanghai & Xiamen, or direct apply at the entry port.

Step 1 - When boarding, inform the air/cruise/train staff that you will apply Visa-Free Transit. They will deliver your request to the immigration authority at border ports before arrival.

Step 2 - Upon arrival, fill in the Arrival Card (blue version) at specialized desk, and then follow guide to Transit Visa Exemption counter. Complete related Application Form, and then queue up for submission with passport and ticket leaving for onward destination.