China Visa

1. 15-day visa-free policy for cruise tour groups implemented on May 15, 2024! This policy is eligible to all foreigners arriving in China by cruise ship. During the stay, they can travel freely in China’s coastal regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Dalian and more. But they need to join a tour organized by a local travel agency and there should be at least 2 members in the group. At the end of the stay, they are also required to leave by the same cruise ship.

2. The 15-day visa-free policy granted to citizens of 12 countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg will be effective for one more year till end of 2025. It was previously valid till November 30, 2024.

3. Visa-free travel policy will be provided to Australia, New Zealand and Poland passport holders from July 1, 2024 till December 31, 2025.

China Visa Application

• How to Apply for China Visa in Your Country
• Renewal and Extension Visa in China
• Apply for China Visa in a Third Country
• How to Apply a China Visa in Hong Kong
• China Visa Application Requirements
• China Visa Fees & Costs
• Mail Service
• Visa Rejected Reasons
• FAQ about Visa Application
• China Visa Application Form - From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China

• Number of Entries / Validity / Duration
• 1. Single, Double and Multiple Entry
  2. Validity (Enter Before)
  3. Duration of Stay (After Entry)
• 10-year Visa for US & Canadian Citizens
• 10-Year Visa for UK Citizens
• Overstay in China
• Visa Policy of China
• Holiday Schedule of Chinese Embassies / Consulates

China Visa Types

• Tourist (L) Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for tourism.
• Business (M) Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for business and trade activities.
• Student (X) Issued to aliens who are going for study, furthering studies.
• Work (Z) Issued to aliens who are going for a post or employment.
• Transit (G) Issued to aliens who are going to a third country in transit of PRC.
• Private Visit (S) Issued to family members of foreigners residing in China for work, study, etc.
• Family Reunion (Q) Issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence permit residing in PRC.

• Noncommercial Visit (F) Issued to aliens who are invited to a lecture, scientific-technological & cultural exchanges, study tours, etc.
• Talent (R) Issued to high-level personnel and much-needed highly talented people.
• Crew (C) Issued to crewmembers involving international-based transportation by trains, airway and ships and their accompanying family members.
• Resident (D) Issued to aliens who are going to reside permanently in PRC.
• Journalist (J-1, J-2) Issued to foreign journalists for the purpose of reporting from PRC.

China Visa-free Policy

• 24-Hour Transit Without Visa
• 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
  Adopted in Guangdong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Xi'an, Liaoning, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, and Kunming.

• Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Access
• Visa on Arrival
• Mutual Visa Exemption between PRC and Foreign Countries
• How to Travel to China without a Visa

Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR

• Hong Kong Visa Policy
• List of Visa-free Countries to Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Visa Application
• Hong Kong Visa Application Form (PDF Download)
• Macau Visa Policy
• List of Visa-free Countries to Macau
• Macau Visa Application Form (PDF Download)

Chinese Residence Permit

• Temporary Residence Permit
• Permanent Residence Permit
• Requirements for Permanent Residence Permit
• Further Reading:
• Marriage Registration in China
• Affidavit of Marital Status
• Application Form of Notarization and Legalization

Do you need a visa to travel to China?

If holding an ordinary passport, you need to apply for a visa for China unless you are covered by China’s visa exemption policy, such as the 24/72/144 hours visa free transit schemes, Hainan 30-day visa-free access, visa exemption for tour groups meeting certain requirements, and visa-free entry for holders of APEC Business Travel Card. It’s worth mention that nationals of countries which have reached mutual visa-exemption agreements with China, like Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Qatar and Armenia, can also enjoy free entry to China. Those who hold a Chinese Temporary Residence Permit don’t need a visa for China either within the Residence Permit’s validity.

How to apply a visa for China

Step 1: Fill in China visa application form online, print it out and sign it. Remember to choose the Chinese embassy or consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Centers (CVASC) in charge of your residence district.

Step 2: Collect other required documents.

Step 3: Make an appoinment online for visa application submission with Chinese embassy or consulate, or CVASC in charge of your residence district.

Step 4: Visit the Chinese embassy or consulate or CVASC at the appinted time, submit your application and pay the fee. You will then be given a pick-up slip. The visa fee in some countries are paid when collecting the visa.

Step 5: Collect your passport and visa on the date shown on the pick-up slip. If you use mail service, just wait for your mail.

China Embassies

Chinese Embassy in Washington DC, USA
Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
Chinese Embassy in London, UK
Chinese Embassy in Canberra, Australia
Chinese Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand
More Chinese Embassies and Consulates