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. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
Just as important as a valid passport and China Visa Application Form, 2 qualified photos are also the basic requirement to apply for a visa for China. Applicants can upload a recent white color passport photo while filling in the visa application form online, or paste the photo on the paper application form. If the photo does not meet requirements, the application will not be processed by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates. Applicants must submit a recently-taken colour passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a white background attached on the visa application form. Check more details in the following guide to ensure you get a appropriate photo taken.
The China Visa Application Photo must meet strict requirements to ensure your application is processed successfully. Below is a detailed sample photo from the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General showing the correct format and specifications.
China Visa Photo Sample
1. Color: a color (RGB 24bit true color) photo, any black and white photo is not accepted.
2. Background: can only use white and off-white background
3. Size: 33mm×48mm for paper photo.
4. Date: recent photo taken in last 6 months.
5. Quality: a clear-cut photo in high resolution, without any damage, stain, fold creases, and no shadows over face or in background.
6. Format: photos must be JPEG image, within size of 40 KB - 120 KB.
7. Others: the photos should present the front view of applicants, show the full facial features clearly and completely. Head should be horizontally centered with certain distance to the upper and bottom edge.
The China Visa Application Photo has specific size requirements applicants must obey. If you submit an improper photo online, you can replace with a new photo before the application is processed, otherwise, your visa application may be refused. What is the exact photo size for China Visa? A Chinese passport photo (33mm×48mm) is the one and only acceptable standard.
● Digital Photo: the electronic photo should meet requirements of horizontal pixels: 354 - 420 pixels and vertical pixels: 472 - 560 pixels.
● Paper Photo: the printed photo should be 33mm×48mm (width×height)/about 1.3×1.9 inches, head width is 15mm-22mm, height (chin to top of head) is 28mm-33mm, head to upper edge is between 3mm-5mm.
Notes: 1.) The Hong Kong Visa Application Photo should between 50mm×40mm and 55mm×45mm. 2.) The Macau Visa Application Photo is required be 1.5-inch photo. 3.) You can check more official requirements on China Visa Application Photo in https://www.visaforchina.org/SGP_EN/generalinformation/news/282849.shtml, or click here to download a detailed photo sample as instruction.
1. Selfies and photos used with filters, blurred picture, over-exposed or under-exposed photos are not accepted.
2. Eyeglasses are acceptable if only they are clearly show the eyes, not reflecting. Don't wear sunglasses.
3. Make your face square to the camera, keep a neutral facial expression with mouth closed, no frowning or smiling.
4. Better wear clothes in dark colors, or other colors clearly distinguished from the white background. Prohibit wearing white, or close to white clothing.
5. Jewelries, accessories, headphones, and similar devices are not allowed.
6. Normal applicants can not wear hat, head covering and mask. For some religious or medical custom, applicants are allowed to wear those, but the faces (facial features) must be visible without any shadows.
1. When and Where to use the photo?
Whiling filling in the China Visa Application Form online, either through the Chinese Embassy and Consulates or the China Visa Application Service Center (https://www.visaforchina.org/), you can firstly upload a digital photo, download and print it out with the completed application form. If you failed to upload the photo, bring 2 qualified paper photos, one to paste on the form when you submit at the visa office of the embassy or service center.
2. Where to take Chinese Visa photo?
All the Chinese Embassy and Consulates offices do NOT provide photo service. For convenience of application, some China Visa Application Service Centers offer photo-taking service with charges. You can take photos in a professional studio as long as the photo meets all requirements.
3. Can I Use a 2×2 photo or passport photo for Chinese Visa?
For US passport holders, a 2×2 inches passport photo is the most common size, and most shop only offer photos in such size. However, Chinese Visa Application has strict photo size requirements. The standard US passport photo is larger than required size. It's strongly suggested to tell the photographer the size clearly, or use the photo service in the China Visa Application Service Center for safe.
4. What is the Chinese Visa photo requirements for Indians?
The mentioned China Visa Application photo requirements apply to all applicants in the word. Indians, and citizens from US, UK, Canada, Australia and other countries should submit photos with the same standard.
Read different types of Chinese Visa to figure out which kind of visa you should apply for. Determine if you are suitable applicants for each visa type, by judging your purpose of visiting is for travel, business, work, transit, family reunion and etc or not. China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is for visitor going to China for tourism, F Visa is for exchanges, study tour, Business Visa (M Visa) is for commercial and trade, Student Visa (X Visa) is for studying in China.
According to various visa policy, applicants meet relevant requirements can submit China Visa application at Chinese Embassy, Diplomatic and Consular Missions or special ports of entry. You need to prepare and submit your valid passport with at least 6 months' validity and blank pages, copy of passport's first page, completed visa application form pasted with a recent photo (color photo with white background, taken within past 6 months, size: 48mmx33mm), sufficient visa fee and service charge and other supporting documents.
The processing time differs from visa types. Normally, it takes about 4 to 5 business days for applicant to get a China Visa, and the accurate collection date will be noted on the pick-up slip. If you submit China Tourist Visa (L Visa) on Monday, you can pick up on Thursday. Check carefully the visa type, duration of stay, number of entries if they are issued correctly or not, after getting your passport back. Double check the validity when you plan to enter China, otherwise you will be denied entry.
WeTrip is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. To fulfill your dream tour to China, we not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also will provide you useful Invitation Letter to help you obtain Chinese Visa, even customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.
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