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How to Apply for a Chinese Visa

China Visa is a must if you plan to visit China for a while. Here is a step-to-step guide on how to apply for a China visa. Let's get you a China visa together!

Step-to-step Guide

Step 1: Decide if You Need a China Visa

The first thing for you is to check whether you need a visa or not. China has implemented a lot of policies to make entering China easier. You are exempted from a visa as long as you are eligible for one policy listed in Visa-free Travel China. Nevertheless, passports, transportation tickets in and out, and other funds are still necessary for China customs to check.

Step 2: Check Which Visa You Need

There are many types of China Visa, and you need to determine which kind of visa you need to get for your trip to China. For tourists, the L visa is suitable.

Step 3:Prepare Documents (Take L Visa as Example)

1)Passport: Original signed; at least six months of remaining validity; with blank visa pages, and a copy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.
2)Visa Application Form: fully completed with no blank;
3)Photo: taken within six months; full face against a light background;
Digital photo: between 354pixels (width)*472 pixels (height) - 420pixels (width)*560pixels (height); in JPEG form; 40KB - 120KB in size; with RGB 24bit true color;
Paper photo: 33mm(width) * 48mm (height).
4)Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship);
5)Round-trip air tickets;
6)Proof of a hotel reservation or invitation letter issued by a relevant travel agency or individual from China (which we can offer);

Notes:

1.Ensure the validity of your passport. Your passport must have a validity of at least six months. Otherwise, you will need to renew it before you get any visa.
2.Make sure all information you provide in the application form is true and correct. Any false, misleading, or incomplete information may lead to denial of visa or refusal of entry into China.
3.Consider a multiple-entry visa. If you are planning to visit China multiple times throughout your stay, you probably need a multiple-entry visa.
4.Apply for special permits if you are thinking of visiting the Tibet Autonomous Region. To apply for this, you need to contact a local Chinese travel agency.

Step 4: Submit the Application

1)Find a Chinese Embassy or Consulate or Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) that serves your area;

2)Submit your application to the office you located during the regular office hours with an appointment.

Tip: I. you must show up in person, and your fingerprint will be collected.

II. the processing usually takes four working days; please bear in mind that there might be some delay during the Chinese holidays.
III. you may also pay more to get your visa processed faster in case of emergency. The quickest processing takes just one day.
3)Pay the fee and collect your visa.
Once your visa application is approved, you can go to the place where you submitted the documents, collect the visa, and pay your fee. In case your application is refused, please check which part you have done wrong and correct it.

Nationality	Number of Entries	Charge for Regular Application	Duration of Stay
US Citizens	Single Entry Double Entries Multiple Entries for 6 Months Multiple Entries for 1 Year & above	USD 140	60 days
UK Citizens		EUR 151	60 days
Canada Citizens		CAD 100	60 days
Australian Citizens		AUD 60-180	60 days

Notes: The charge may change, the table is just for reference.

When to Apply for a China Visa

China visa is only valid for 180 days from the date of issue, which means that the earliest time you can apply for a China visa is three months before your trip. However, we suggest you apply one or two months in advance.

Apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong or a Third Country

If you are already in Hong Kong and you plan to visit mainland China, it’s quite easy to get a China visa in Hong Kong. However, it won’t be as easy to get a China visa in a third country. You will need to check with the local authority where you stay for additional information.

Renew and Extend China Visa

Those who already in China with an ordinary China visa (for the non-diplomatic or official visit) need to extend or renew or reapply their China visa can submit relevant documents at the local Exit and Entry Administration under the Public Security Bureau. However, visitors who 1) are under 16 or over 60 or have difficulty in going around due to illness; 2) have been to China before and don't have any bad record; 3) have guarantees from their company or individual for their expenses during their stay in China can ask their company, relative, or relevant agency to renew or extend on their behalf.