Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on August 7, 2025:
1. China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for following eligible countries, including European nations - Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Russia. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain are included. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay in South America are also eligible. China will continue to extend its visa-free policy for Italy.
2. 240-Hour Visa Free Transit (10 days) has been lanched. 55 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 240-hour transit visa-free.
3. As of now, China has established full visa exemption agreements with 28 countries, including Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei, Malaysia; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.
4. Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province is 6 days visa-free for tour groups (at least two persons) from ASEAN countries.
5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
6. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.
WeTrip 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.
To help you better understand China Tourist Visa application process and get a China Tourist Visa smoothly, here we provide comprehensive guide and tips for you.
A China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is required for normal visit to mainland China. However, special visitors may travel to China without visa when visa free policy is availble. Click Visa Free Policy of China to find out whether you need to get a visa for tour in China.
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
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.
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.
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).
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.)
China Tourist Visa Application Requirements
Fill in China Tourist Visa Application on Website of CVASC
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.
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)
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)
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
| Nationality | Number of Entries | Regular Application | Express Application | Rush Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Single Entry Double Entries Multiple Entries for 6 Months Multiple Entries for 1 Year & above | US$140 | US$165 | US$177 |
| UK Citizens | £85 | £104 | - | |
| Canada Citizens | Can$100 | Can$135 | Can$150 | |
| Others Citizens (Australian, Indian...) | Single Entry | US$30 | US$55 | US$67 |
| Double Entries | US$45 | US$70 | US$82 | |
| Mutiple Entries for 6 Months | US$60 | US$85 | US$97 | |
| Mutiple Entries for 1 Year & above | US$90 | US$115 | US$127 |
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.
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.
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
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 30-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.
WeTrip is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary for you, but also provide tailor-made travel packages which include dining, transfer and hotel, etc. There are many destinations to explore in China, among which Beijing, Shanghai are used as gate way cities, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu are also excellent destinations to discover different regional culture, history and local customs in China.
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