singapore to china tourist visa 2023

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Travelling to Singapore

Travellers should refer to the ICA website for the latest information on travelling to/from or transiting  through  Singapore. For the latest updates on Singapore's COVID-19 situation, please refer to the MOH website at  https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid- 19 . 

Travel Notice for China

Singaporeans intending to travel to China should refer to the PRC Embassy website for the latest announcements on travel requirements, restrictions, advisories issued by the Chinese authorities at  http://www.chinaembassy.org. sg/eng/lsfw/ .

With effect from  9 February 2024 ,  holders of ordinary passports issued by Singapore will be exempted from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in China, under a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement with China.  Please refer to ICA’s website for more details:  https://www.ica.gov.sg/news- and-publications/newsroom/ media-release/mutual-30-day- visa-exemption-arrangement- between-singapore-and-the- people-s-republic-of-china

Entry and Exit

Travellers to Mainland China are no longer subject to quarantine on entry since 8 January 2023.

From 30 August 2023, travellers to Mainland China are no longer required to undergo COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests before entering China.

Safety and Security

Lost passports: Singaporeans who lose their passports while travelling in China should report the loss to a neighbourhood police post or the relevant Chinese authority (it is usually the local Entry-Exit Administration Bureau). The person concerned should report the loss to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) immediately via the ICA's e-service ("Report Online") using the person's Singpass Account. If a new passport is required, an application may be submitted via ICA's e-Service one working day after reporting the loss. Please refer to ICA's website at  https://www.ica.gov.sg/documents/passport/loss  for more information. Alternatively, the person may approach the Singapore Embassy or the nearest Singapore Consulate-General with a copy of the Loss of Passport Report from the Police or the relevant authority, one passport-sized photograph (instant photograph is acceptable) and documentary evidence of his/her citizenship (e.g. NRIC or driving license) to report the loss and apply for a new passport.

If you wish to return to Singapore immediately, a Document of Identity (DOI) may be issued to you upon confirmation of your citizenship with ICA. With the DOI, you are required to go to the local Entry-Exit Administration Bureau to obtain an Exit Permit before you can leave China. You may be required to prove to the Entry-Exit Administration Bureau that you have registered with a hotel or a local police station when you first arrived in China. This is to facilitate investigation by the Entry-Exit Administration Bureau before they can issue you an Exit Permit to leave China. It normally takes about 5 working days to obtain the Exit Permit for foreigners who have lost their passports in China.

Crime: China is generally safe, particularly in the major cities. Serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare. Nonetheless, travellers should undertake the usual precautions and be responsible for your own safety and belongings. Please take an authorised taxi where possible. 

Beware of fraud: Foreigners have been the target of a number of scams when travelling in China. It is important that you stay informed and vigilant against scams and do not reveal sensitive personal information or bank details to unauthorised personnel.

Road Safety: Pedestrians should be alert at all times to unexpected oncoming traffic. Drivers should note that there are stiff penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol.

China has a good public transport system. You will need a valid ID (e.g. passport) to buy a train ticket and may need to show it again before boarding.

Weather: Weather conditions vary across China. The rainy season occurs between April and October.  Typhoons can occur in the South and East coasts between May and November.  Please monitor the local weather report before travelling to any part of China. Some provinces such as Sichuan and Yunnan are prone to earthquakes as they lie within the active seismic zone.

In case of air pollution, those susceptible to respiratory problems can consider taking necessary precautions. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China ( www.mep.gov.cn ) provides a daily update on the Air Quality Index for major cities in China.

To receive the latest news from our China Missions, you may wish to eRegister ( https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg ) once you have confirmed your travel to China.

All foreigners should abide by local laws.  The penalties for drug offences are severe.

In accordance with the Chinese Exit-Entry Administration Law, all foreigners are required to register with the Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel staff will normally register you with the PSB as part of their check-in process. Otherwise, you will have to register yourself at the nearest police station.

Foreigners above 16 years of age are expected to carry their passports with them at all times. Random checks may be carried out by Police during periods of heightened security and political events.

There are restrictions on political activities for foreigners, including participation in public protests. Travellers should exercise caution to avoid any demonstrations and large gatherings. 

Additional Information

Elderly, children and those with pre-existing medical conditions should bring along medical prescriptions and medication which may not be available in China. 

Tap water in China is generally not potable. Travellers can consider buying bottled water for consumption. 

General Travel Advice

Overseas Travel – Be Informed & Be Safe [Updated on 5 February 2024]

Singaporeans planning overseas travel are reminded to take the necessary precautions, including being prepared to deal with accidents, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Singaporeans are also reminded to be familiar with your destination’s local laws, customs, and COVID-19 regulations.

Demonstrations do occur in major cities across the world. Such demonstrations can sometimes escalate into violence. It is important for Singaporeans to keep abreast of local news, avoid any protests or demonstrations and heed the advice of the local authorities.

When participating in outdoor leisure activities overseas, Singaporeans should be mindful that certain sporting activities, especially in open seas, may carry risks. Besides ensuring that one has the physical competencies and appropriate condition to undertake the activity, every effort should be made to ascertain if the trip organiser or guide is reliable and competent, and that appropriate safety and contingency plans are in place. When in doubt, Singaporeans should consult the relevant professional bodies or sporting associations for specific advice.

For those planning to travel, here are some tips:

Before travelling

• Familiarise yourself with our network of overseas missions.
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance and be familiar with the terms and coverage.
• Equip yourself with research about your destination’s entry requirements, current situation, local laws and customs.
• eRegister with us on our website ( www.mfa.gov.sg ) so that we may reach out to you during an emergency.

While travelling

• Always take care of your personal safety, remain vigilant and monitor local weather news, advisories, and security developments.
• Exercise caution around large gatherings and avoid locations known for demonstrations or disturbances.
• Be prepared for possible delays and last-minute changes in travel plans especially during unforeseen events such as natural disasters, social unrest or terror attacks.
• Stay connected with your friends and family. Inform them of your whereabouts and provide them with your overseas contact details.
• In the event that you require consular assistance, please contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.

Advisory: Email Scams

There have been reports of individuals receiving scam emails/messages purportedly sent from friends in distress overseas. These emails/messages typically originate from an email address/social media known to the receiver bearing claims of the sender getting into trouble overseas and urgently requesting financial assistance. The sender would also claim to have approached a Singapore Embassy/Consulate and the local Police for help to no avail.

MFA takes the safety of all Singaporeans very seriously.  Singaporeans in distress approaching our Overseas Missions for assistance will be rendered with all necessary consular assistance.  If you receive such emails/messages from purported friends seeking funds transfers, we strongly advise you to call them first to verify the authenticity of the emails/messages before responding to their request.  It is also not advisable to give out any personal information such as NRIC/passport numbers, address, telephone number, etc.  Any form of reply, even one of non-interest, could result in more unsolicited emails.  Members of the public who suspect that they have fallen prey to such scams should report the matter to the Police immediately.  Should Singaporeans abroad require consular assistance, they can contact the nearest Singapore Overseas  Mission  or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hr Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.

Travel Page

How to Apply China Visa in Singapore in 2023

By: Author Eva

Posted on Published: July 23, 2023  - Last updated: September 9, 2023

Categories china

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China announced that it is opening its border and resuming all types of visas for foreigners, starting 15 March 2023. However, the visa-exemptions for Singaporeans were only reinstated on 26 July 2023.

UPDATES: From 26 July 2023, Chinese government will resume 15-days visa-exemptions policy for Singaporean Citizens. China Embassy

If you’re a Singaporean planning to travel to China for more than 15 days, or you’re non-Singaporean residing in Singapore and don’t have visa-exemption, this guide is for you!

If this is your first time applying for visa to China, it may feel daunting, but fret not. In this article, I hope to shed the light regarding China Visa application procedures for people residing in Singapore .

This article was originally written based on my own experience applying for Tourism Visa (L Visa) in March 2023. However, several things have changed, especially regarding appointment. So, I try my best to update this article to reflect the latest situation.

Before May 2023, you can queue early at Visa Center to apply for visa via walk-in route. However, from 8 May 2023, walk-in is no longer accepted. So, you need to secure an appointment; there are several ways to secure appointments, I’ll describe more in Step 4.

Does Singaporean need visa to enter China?

From 26 July 2023 onwards, Singaporeans DO NOT NEED to apply visa to enter China if they’re traveling for less than 15 days.

If you’re a Singaporean planning to travel more than 15 days, these are visa-free exemptions for certain ports:

• HAINAN: If you’re visiting Hainan, you can do so without visa for up to 30 days

Who needs visa to enter China?

You need to check with your own consulate/embassy or China Embassy in your country whether you need to apply visa to enter China.

Generally, the below ports allow visa-free travel for foreigners from certain countries, provided they fulfil the requirements:

• HAINAN: If you’re visiting Hainan and you’re from one of the 59 approved countries, you can get up to 30 days visa exemption.
• SHANGHAI: If you’re visiting Shanghai by cruise, you can get 15-day visa exemption. Check with your cruise company for details.
• GUANGDONG: If you’re visiting Guangdong via Hong Kong or Macau, you can do so without visa, BUT you need to join organized tour group from HK/Macau Travel Agents.
• GUILIN in GUANGXI: Tourist groups from the ASEAN regional grouping can enter Guilin in Guangxi without a visa for up to 6 days.
• Your nationality/passport is from one of the 53 approved countries
• You visit and stay in that region for less than 144 hours (i.e. 6 days)
• You must hold an onward ticket to a different country (eg: Singapore -> Beijing -> Hong Kong, or Malaysia -> Shanghai -> Singapore)

Which China Visa should I apply?

There are many different kinds of China visas. For tourists intending to visit China for tourism , you should apply L Visa .

Here are all types visas for various purposes:

• L Visa: Tourism
• F Visa : Exchanges, visits, study tours or other relevant activities
• M Visa : Commercial trade activities
• Q1 & Q2 Visa: Family member or relative of Chinese citizen(s) or foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China
• S1 & S2 Visa: Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters
• Z Visa: Work
• X1 & X2 Visa: Study
• J1 & J2 Visa: Journalist
• C Visa: Crew member
• G Visa: Transit
• D Visa: Permanent residence
• R Visa: Foreigner of high talent or specialist

Can I apply visa to China on my own without an agent?

Yes, you definitely can apply visa to China on your own without an agent. It’s much cheaper to do it on your own. I paid less than S$200 application fee.

If there are immediate appointment slot, I’d suggest you do it on your own. However, if the available appointments are too far out and you need to travel urgently, consider engaging an agent to apply on your behalf.

Agents may be able to get you earlier appointment dates than individuals. However, you still need to go down to the visa application center to capture your fingerprints, on the submission day. During collection, the agent can collect on your behalf.

There are many travel agents who offer visa application service at People’s Park Complex. If you want to engage an agent, you should compare prices because the price varies A LOT between different agents. Some charge S$100 agent fee, some charge an insanely high amount of S$430 all-in.

Here’s the list of authorized travel agents .

Who can apply China Visa in Singapore?

Singapore citizens and Singapore residents with valid pass can apply for China Visa in Singapore. Visitors/tourists in Singapore should apply for a Chinese visa in their own country. ( Source )

Where to go to apply China Visa in Singapore?

The China Visa application in Singapore is handled by Chinese Visa Application Service Center located at 80 Robinson Rd, #16-01/02 02A, Singapore 068898 ( location ).

It is NOT handled by the Embassy of China in Singapore.

How long does it take to process the Visa Application?

If you choose Normal , it takes 4 working days. If you choose Express , it takes 3 working days. If you need a visa urgently, choose Rush/Urgent which takes 2 working days. ( Source )

Usually, the submission day counts as Day 1. For Normal service, you will collect on Day 4 (not calendar days, but working days). Eg: You submit on Friday (Day 1), you can collect on Wednesday (Day 4) provided there is no public holiday in between. If there is 1 public holiday in between, you just add 1 extra day.

How to Apply China Tourist Visa (L Visa) in Singapore

1. book your flights and accommodation.

Before applying for visa, you should book your flights and accommodation during the entire length of your stay.

If you’re staying in friend’s house, you’ll need to get the invitation letter from your friend. The invitation letter should contain:

• Information of the applicant: Name, gender, date of birth, passport number and etc.
• Details of planned visit: arrival & departure date, tourism destination, expenditure arrangement and etc.
• Information of inviter: Inviter’s name, contact number, address, inviter’s signature and etc.

Given the high demand of visa application in Singapore, I recommend that you book a trip that’s at least 2 months in advance, so that you’ll have ample time to get your visa sorted out.

2. Prepare the softcopy of the necessary documents

Before submitting your application, you should prepare the softcopy of the following documents:

• Colored passport-sized photo taken within the last 6 months. After uploading to the system, you can crop and re-position your photo according to the requirements (photo requirements here) .
• Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity
• Details of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas 

3. Submit Application Online

To submit your visa application online, head to Visa for China then choose the country you’re applying at. If you’re applying in Singapore, here’s the shortcut link to Visa for China (Singapore) .

Under Quick Access, click on “Visa”. Once inside, scroll down and click on “New Application Form”

Fill out all the necessary fields. The entire process took me around 1 hour to complete.

I highly recommend that you copy your application number in your computer AND save your process frequently along the way , in case your browser gets buggy while you’re in the middle of application and you need to retrieve your form.

After completing your application, download your application form.

4. Make appointment

Method 1: normal appointment.

After completing the online submission in step 3 above, you will see a link to make appointment. Alternatively, you can also go to homepage, under Quick Access, click on “Visa”. Once inside, scroll down and click on “Appointment (Application)”

Key in your application number and particulars, and complete the captcha at the bottom of the page, then you will be able to see a calendar of available dates. Choose your preferred date and time. Then, download the appointment confirmation form.

If your flight departs earlier than the available appointment slot, you can’t apply via this route. Instead, you need to go via Method 2 or 3 below.

Method 2: Emergency appointment

As reported by Straits Times , from 8 May 2023, between 4pm to 6pm on each working day, the Visa Center will release 200 to 250 appointment numbers for emergency visa applications for the following day.

That means, if you need to do emergency visa via walk-in because you can’t get appointment, you no longer need to queue outside the Visa Center. Instead, you need to queue online between 4pm-6pm to get appointment number for emergency visa for the next day.

This method is difficult because it requires a lot of time, patience and luck. Reader Hui has shared about how he managed to get appointment slot using this method in the comment section.

To summarize, he did so by going to the appointment page (Homepage > Quick Access, > Visa > Appointment (Application)) between 4pm to 6pm, complete the captcha without filling the details (to save time).

If there’s no next-day slot, he keeps on refreshing every half minute until he sees a slot. When he sees a slot, he clicks on the timeslot, fills up his details and secures that appointment slot.

If you do not have the luxury of time and patience to hunt for these rare emergency slots, your last option would be method 3 below.

Method 3: Engage an Agent

If you can’t cancel your trip because your tickets are non-refundable, and you can’t secure a slot using the above 2 methods, my advice to you is to go through a travel agency. It looks like agencies have earlier available appointment date than individuals.

They may be expensive, you’ll probably end up paying S$100-200 agent fee on top of visa fee. But they’re worth every penny for people who needs to travel urgently and can’t cancel the trip. Here’s the list of authorized travel agents .

5. Print out the hardcopy of the necessary documents

Each person need to prepare the following hardcopy documents:

• A set of application form printed from your application
• Appointment confirmation (if any)
• Round-trip flight tickets
• Accommodation booking for the entire stay (if you’re staying in hotels)
• Invitation letter (if you’re staying in friend’s house)
• Photocopy of passport
• Photocopy of Singapore valid pass (if you’re not Singapore citizens), eg: SPR IC, Re-entry permit, WP, EP, STP, DP or SVP
• Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas

Even if you share accommodation with another person and you submit the visa together, each of you need to have a copy of the accommodation booking.

I didn’t submit the hard copy of my photo because I have uploaded the soft copy of my photo during online submission. They didn’t request for the hard copy photo when I submitted physical hard copy documents.

FYI, there’s a Photo Booth at Visa Center in case you need to take passport-sized photos.

6. Head to Visa Center

On your appointment day, head to Chinese Visa Application Service Center located at 80 Robinson Rd, #16-01/02 02A, Singapore 068898 ( location ).

For submission: operating hours are from 9am to 2pm , Monday to Friday (closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays).

For collection: operating hours are from 9am to 3pm , Monday to Friday (closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays).

Do note that the Visa Center observe BOTH Public Holidays in China AND Singapore. So, before heading down, do check the public holiday calendar for both countries.

Upon arriving at Visa Center, take the lift up to Level 16. At Level 16, take a queue number from the receptionist. Then, wait patiently for your number to be called.

Some readers have been asking whether it’s possible to get someone else to apply on your behalf. Before 9 Aug 2023, all applicants must have their fingerprints captured, therefore everyone has to visit the center physically.

However, between 9 Aug 2023 to 31 Dec 2023, the visa center announced that eligible applicants applying for one or two entry visas for business(M), tourism(L), family visit(Q2), transit(G), and crew(C) visa, can be exempted from taking fingerprints. Therefore, applicants applying for the above visas can get someone else to apply on their behalf.

(For me, I applied in late March 2023, just 2 weeks after China announced reopening and not many people were keen to visit China yet. That time, I applied via walk-in route (which is now no longer accepted). That time, the walk-in queue wasn’t insane at all, I arrived at the Visa Center at 10am, and was able to complete everything by 11.30am.)

7. Head to counter to submit documents and take fingerprints

Once your number is called, head to the designated counter and submit your hardcopy documents. Your fingerprints will be taken at this stage. You’ll also be asked questions about your trip.

If you miss out any documents, the officer will ask you to print it out or get it photocopied from the in-house shop. The cost of printing is S$1/page, and the cost of photocopy is S$0.50/page.

After all documents are in order, you’ll be given a paper that states the your application number and the amount you need to pay.

8. Make payment by Cash or PayNow

Head to the payment counter and make payment using cash or PayNow. I paid around S$160 for walk-in submission without appointment.

After completing the payment, you will be given a paper that states the date of collection. Now, you can head home.

9. Collect your Visa and Passport

On the day of collection, bring the collection slip to the Visa Center and collect your passport and your shiny new visa. Congratulations!

Your next step is to plan for your trip to China! Read my guide on what to prepare before going to China.

PS: If you have any data points to share, please comment below and share your experience. It will greatly help people who are planning to get a China Visa in Singapore. Thank you!

Featured image: Depositphotos

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee! Your support will help me to keep going!

Sunday 3rd of September 2023

I'm SPR, I heard this round don't need to scan fingerprint. Any one know if the applicate unable to attend on the submission day. Can she arrange her son to submit on behalf and make payment, without engage any travel agent.

Saturday 9th of September 2023

Update info, my son help me submitted the application, the whole process less than 30mins. Once the online form and appointment date set and all documents ready. Smooth processing.

Sunday 27th of August 2023

Thanks for sharing. I've booked my appointment easily as well. There are so many slots available next week.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad to hear you can secure appointments easily!

Thursday 17th of August 2023

HI- I am Malaysian, and just submitted my L visa application. Appointment dates are available the very next day after the application required time ie the 5th day for Normal application. Looks like the wait time has been reduced significantly.

Hi Sam, thanks for sharing! Good to hear that it's easy to secure an appointment now!

Saturday 22nd of July 2023

Hello Eva! Do you perhaps know if transiting within China is possible with the 144h visa free policy? Currently flights from Singapore to Xi'An are with transit in another province of China, mostly Shanghai.

So sorry if you've covered this before, please do redirect me if so!

Sunday 23rd of July 2023

Hi Sally! Sorry I have no clue and I can't find reliable source. Perhaps you can check with the airline or visa center. Fyi, visa-free will resume from 26 July 2023, hope it will solve your problems!

Friday 21st of July 2023

Hi, I read from the visit for china website that Singaporeans is exempted from a visa if stay no more than 15 days. So confirm now we don't need to apply for visa?

4) Citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan

A citizen of Singapore, Brunei or Japan with an ordinary passport is exempted from a visa if he or she visits China's mainland for tourism, business, or meeting with friends or relatives, and if he or she enters China through ports open to foreigners, and stays for no more than 15 days.

However, a visa is required for citizen of these three countries under any of the following circumstances:

A. An ordinary passport holder visits China for tourism, business, or meeting with friends or relatives, and stays for more than 15 days.

B. An ordinary passport holder visits China for the purpose of study, work, permanent residency, official visits or news coverage.

C. A Japanese citizen travels with a diplomatic or official passport.

Hi, please don't ask me to confirm what's being written by someone else, you may want to check with them instead.

150 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247969

E-mail: [email protected]

For visa and legalization issues, please contact Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC)

Tel: +65-67139380 (9:00-14:00, Monday - Friday, except holidays)

E-mail: [email protected]

Homepage: https://www.visaforchina.cn/SGP2_EN/

For Chinese passport and notarization issues, please contact Consular Section of Chinese Embassy

Tel: +65-64712117, +65-62581795 (9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00, Monday - Friday, except holidays)

E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://sg.china-embassy.gov.cn

How to Apply for a China Visa — a Step-by-Step Guide

Visa-Free Access to China : If you're from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Malaysia, you can visit China visa-free for 15 days until December 31st, 2025. If you're from Singapore, you can relish visa-free access to China for up to 30 days.

If your nationality isn't listed above or if you aim to discover China for more than two weeks, we offer a Port Visa Service for just US$50 per person (valid until June 30th, 2024) once your tour booking is confirmed with us. No stress of embassy visits and visa interviews.

How to Apply for a China Visa

Planning to visit China, but don't know how to apply for a China visa? We're breaking it down for you with our step-by-step guide, follow the steps and get your China visa efficiently.

The visa information we provide is for reference only. We are a travel agency. If you book a trip with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter when applying for a tourist visa.

1. Find out if you need a visa

The first thing is to check whether you need a visa or not. You usually need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet one of China's visa-free policies . 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit offer great convenience if you have a layover in China.

2. Find out which visa you need.

There are many types of China visas. Choose a visa type that applies to your situation. If you are planning to go on a vacation in China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).

3. Prepare the required documents.

The following list of documents are required for any China visa application:

• A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
• A complete visa application form (The visa application form can be downloaded from the Chinese embassy website or from our website. You complete it by computer, print and sign it. In some countries such as UK you should complete an online form . On the form, you might find an item "Serial number of invitation letter of the authorized organization", you may skip this item if you don't have an invitation letter, or the invitation letter is not of this type.)
• A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48mmx33mm)

Along with the aforementioned generally required documents, several additional documents are required depending upon the type of China visa applied for.

For instance, if you are applying for a tourist L visa , you need to prepare an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency. ( An invitation letter could be provided by us without extra charge if a China tour of 3 days or more is booked .)

An invitation letter can replace the air ticket and hotel booking if you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China and can't provide the hotel confirmation, or if your travel is being organized by a travel agency (or other duly authorized organization) in China . We can provide you with the invitation letter if you book a tour with us.

4. Submit the application.

You may submit the application to the Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or China Visa Application Service Centers (also called CVASC) if they are operating in your country.

Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries (including the U.S., the UK, and Canada) have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected .

The regular service processing time is 4 days, and the rushed service takes about 1 day. The latter is only available in extreme emergencies pending a consular officer's approval.

5. Pay the fee and collect your visa.

Go to the place where you apply for a China visa, pay the fee, and collect your visa.

The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. Here we listed China visa prices for some countries for your reference. It may change based on the updated policies.

The fees shown in the table are only for the cost of visa. If you apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the service fee and tax are required.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

When to Apply for a Visa

It is important to get your visa early, but not too early because it is only valid for 90/180 days for single/double-entry visas from the issue date.

It is usually recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel .

Apply for Special Permits, If Necessary.

If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need to get a Tibet Travel Permit from a Chinese travel agency. As a travel agency based in China for more than 20 years, we can help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

Check the most popular Tibet tours .

Apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong

If you are already in Hong Kong and want to visit the Chinese mainland, it is possible to get a China visa in Hong Kong. Read our step-by-step guide .

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China Visa-Free Travel for Singaporeans Resumes on July 26, 2023

China to resume 15-day visa-free entry for Singaporeans

• Prevention and Control Requirements for China-bound Travelers (reference)

Travelling to China? Here are some helpful links!

In March 2020, following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, China ceased issuing visas to foreign individuals, and also put a hold on the 15-day visa-free privilege that was previously available to Singaporeans.

China has announced that it will resume visa-free travel for Singaporeans from July 26, 2023. This means that Singaporeans can now visit China for 15 days without a visa, for business, tourism, family visits, or transit purposes.

Note: China and Singapore are working on mutual 30-day visa-free travel between two countries as early as 2024. Note: Do take note of the below Covid-19 prevention guidelines if you are travelling to China.

Prevention and Control Requirements for China-bound Travelers ( reference )

• From 1st March 2023 (Singaporean time), Antigen Rapid Test (ART) results will be accepted for passengers flying directly from Singapore to China, replacing the need for a PCR test.
• Travelers must undertake a COVID-19 PCR test or an ART within 48 hours before boarding flights to China, and only those with a negative test result are allowed to travel.
• Passengers testing positive can only travel once they have a subsequent negative test result.
• Negative test results must be declared to China Customs, which can be done via the WeChat mini-program of China Customs, the official China Customs website, or their app.
• Airlines will not verify the negative PCR or ART test results of passengers.
• Wearing masks and maintaining personal hygiene throughout the flight is strongly recommended.
• On entry, travelers might undergo random health inspections by China Customs.
• Travelers showing symptoms or inconsistencies in their health declarations will be tested by China Customs. Positive cases will need to self-quarantine or follow the authority's medical advice.
• After entry into China, travelers must strictly adhere to the local epidemic prevention and control measures.

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How to Get A Chinese Tourist Visa | Application Guide and Tips

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on May 8, 2024 :

1. Breaking News! 15 days visa free for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg has been extended until December 31, 2025.

2. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free.

3. China - Georgia Mutual Exemption of Visa, starting from May 28, 2024.

4. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is newly available for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Read more »

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. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is now available for other 6 countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Read more »

7. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

8. 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."

9. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.

10. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.

11. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.

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!

Invitation letter is a vital document for Chinese visa application. If you travel with us, we will not only create a valuable tour for you, but also provide you an invitation letter if you request, which will help you obtain your visa successfully. Start customizing your tour in China now!

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Do I Need a Visa to Travel to China?

A China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is required for normal visit to mainland China. However, special visitors may travel to China without visa, such as, citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan could enjoy 15-day “no-visa” China tour, or transit passengers qualified for China’s 72 / 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit. Click Visa Free Policy of China to find out whether you need to get a visa for tour in China.

How Many Times can I Enter China on a Tourist Visa?

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

What are the Requirements for China Tourist Visa Application?

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.

Basic Requirements

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. China Tourist Visa Photo Requirements, Size >>

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).

China Tourist Visa Application Requirements

Fill in China Tourist Visa Application on Website of CVASC

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.) 

Supporting Documents

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. 

China Tourist Visa Invitation Letter

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)

How Do I Apply for A Tourist Visa to China?

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)

How Much is A Tourist L Visa for China?

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

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. Know more details about China Vis Cost >>

How Long does It Take to Get A Tourist Visa to China?

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.

Useful Links: China Visa Processing Time | Fast China Visa Services

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

FAQs and Useful Tips about Chinese Tourist Visa

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 15-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.

Trave China with China Discovery

China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide any support & help you need to travel to China. With a Chinese Visa, you can freely travel to many cities in mainland China, among all, Beijing , Shanghai are used as gate way cities, Xian , Guilin , Chengdu are also excellent destinations to discovery different regional culture, history and local customs in China.

You may choose from our most popular China tours, or just  contact us , tell your interests and travel plans, we could customze a perfect China tour as you like.

• ● 2024 China Tours from Capital Beijing
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Introduction to China Visa

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Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

4 Days Beijing Highlights Tour with Gubeikou to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking

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5 Days Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tour with West Lake Biking

Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai / Hangzhou

3 Days Guangzhou History & Culture Experience Tour

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China Tourist Visa (L)

Most travelers to China are required to get a China tourist visa, L visa for short, which allows them to travel freely in most parts of China as tourists, assuming that they do not qualify under the  visa-free policies of China . Passports, application form, and documents showing the itinerary or an invitation letter from China are the essential application documents.  

In most cases, a tourist can get a single entry L visa with a stay duration of 30 days. UK, US, Canadian, Brazil and Argentine citizens are able to get a 10-year China tourist visa with multiple entries. If travelling with an organized tour group, you might not have an individual visa in your passport.  Instead, the tour group will be issued a group tour visa bearing all the members' names. In such situations supply your details to the travel agency beforehand and you will have no further concerns.

If travelling independently, you need to handle visa affairs on your own. The process is not complicated if you follow the guidelines below.  

China Tourist Visa Requirements & Documents

1. passport.

- Your passport  with at least 6 months remaining validity and available blank pages, and a photocopy of passport's data page.  

2. Application Form

- One accurately completed China Visa Application Form. Please fill in every column of the application form. If the application form is not filled out truthfully, completely and legibly, there could be a delay in processing or refusal of the application.  

3. Recent Photo

- A recent passport-size color photo with white background.  

4. Round-trip Tickets Plus Hotel Bookings or Invitation Letter from China

- Documents showing the itinerary including proof of round trip tickets booking and proof of hotel reservation. - Or, if you are being invited to China, you can submit an invitation letter issued by the inviter, whether it's an entity or individual, with following information: a. Information on the applicant, including full name, gender, and date of birth. b. Information on the planned visit, including arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit. c. Information on the inviter, including name, contact number, address, official stamp, and signature of the legal representative of the entity or the inviting individual.  

5. Other Supporting Documents

a. For those not applying in their country of citizenship, a proof of legal stay or residence status is required. b. In some cases, applicants may need to submit a certification letter from the employer of the applicant with details as follows: name and contact number of the employer, the applicant's income statement, or original copy of recent 6-month bank statement of the applicant. c. Applicants who intend to travel to Tibet must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit , which can be obtained from Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region by travel agencies.

How to Get a Chinese Tourist Visa

After preparing all the required documents, make an appointment with Chinese embassies, consulates, or a Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) if there are any in your country to submit the application. Generally, applicants aged 14-70 need to go in person. If you don't need to go personally, you can entrust someone else, such as a travel agency or a visa agency to act on your behalf. Applications by mails are not accepted and will be refused at most Chinese embassies, consulates or CVASCs. But the mail-back service is available in more cases.   

Processing Time

It normally takes 4 working days for processing a China travel visa. For express service, an additional fee of USD 20 will be charged for two or three working day service. For rush service, an additional fee of USD30 will be charged for same-day service.  

Chinese Tourist Visa Cost

The visa costs vary depending on your nationality and number of entries. However, according to the Visa Fee Abolition Agreement, the nationals of following several countries can get a visa for free, but must pay for express service, rush service or mail service: Pakistan, Maldives, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovakia and Micronesia. For major countries, the fee is listed below.

China Tourist Visa Extension

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Chinese Embassy in Singapore to lift Covid-19 visa suspensions on Wednesday

SINGAPORE – The Chinese Embassy in Singapore will resume issuing all types of visas to foreigners from Wednesday, after nearly three years of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

These include visas for tourism and medical treatment, according to a notice posted on the embassy’s website late on Monday.

Those with visas issued before March 28, 2020, that are still valid will be allowed entry into China.

The updated policy will also allow for the resumption of visa-free travel to Hainan island and for tourists arriving in cruise ships to Shanghai.

Travellers from Hong Kong and Macau will be allowed visa-free entry to the southern manufacturing hub of Guangdong, while tourist groups from the Asean regional grouping can enter Guilin in Guangxi without a visa.

In March 2020, China suspended issuing visas to foreigners.

The 15-day, visa-free facility for Singaporeans travelling to China was also suspended, but it has not been resumed.

The Chinese authorities ended the regime of mass testing, lockdowns and long quarantines in December 2022.

At the time, Beijing kept in place visa restrictions on foreigners, but said inbound travellers to the country would no longer need to undergo quarantine from Jan 8.

Meanwhile, travel agencies in Singapore are gearing up for more travellers following the announcement.

A spokesman for CTC Travel said the agency has received a surge in inquiries for tours to China since the start of the year.

“We have been receiving overwhelming response on our tours,” she said. “We are monitoring any further announcements on the details and will liaise with our counterparts to ensure timely updates.”

Chan Brothers Travel marketing communications executive Samantha Tan said the firm has seen a “steady flow of interest” in China from customers.

“China is one of the destinations in the limelight, with some customers eager to leverage our early-bird deals to get the best departure dates,” she added.

“We will be planning to take advantage of the opportunity to launch more tours if the conditions are favourable.”

A WTS Travel spokesman said the agency is anticipating demand from customers who have been waiting for the lifting of travel restrictions in China.

“We do expect an increase in Singapore travellers signing up for our tours, and we will increase our offerings according to the loosening of restrictions,” he added.

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After opening borders, China presses Singapore for visa-free travel deal

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Xinghui leads the Singapore bureau, directing coverage of one of the region’s bellwether economies and Southeast Asia's main financial hub. This ranges from macroeconomics to monetary policy, property, politics, public health and socioeconomic issues. She also keeps an eye on things that are unique to Singapore, such as how it repealed an anti-gay sex law but goes against global trends by maintaining policies unfavourable to LGBT families. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/even-singapore-lifts-gay-sex-ban-lgbt-families-feel-little-has-changed-2022-11-29/ Xinghui previously covered Asia for the South China Morning Post and has been in journalism for a decade.

Chen Lin was a reporter with the Singapore bureau until 2023, covering macroeconomics and general news in Singapore.

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China’s Visa-Free Policies: Latest Updates

China has fully reopened its borders, promising recovery of international tourism and travel. Many of the visa-free travel policies that were in place prior to the pandemic have therefore come back into effect, enabling people from a wide range of countries to visit China on a short-term basis. In this article, we provide an overview of all of the China visa-free travel policies currently available and explain who is eligible to enjoy them.

UPDATES (May 15, 2024) : China’s National Immigration Administration announced that it will grant a visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups to enter China by cruise at all cruise ports along the coast of China, starting from May 15, 2024. The tourist group must remain with the same cruise ship until its next port of call and stay within permitted areas for no more than 15 days.

UPDATES (March 7, 2024) : According to official news, China will expand its unilateral visa-free travel policy to six additional European countries including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, during the period from March 14 to November 30, 2024. Ordinary passport holders from the above countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days. 

UPDATE (February 18, 2024):  On February 9, 2024, China’s National Immigration Administration announced the expansion of the 30-day visa-free travel policy to the province of Hainan – to include more allowed purposes of entry. The expanded entry purposes for the Hainan visa-free policy include for business, visiting, family reunions, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports competitions. However, work and study purposes are excluded from this arrangement.

UPDATE (January 25, 2024): China and Singapore  have officially agreed  to implement a visa-free entry policy for their citizens, allowing stays of up to 30 days. Starting from February 9, individuals holding ordinary passports and traveling for tourism, family visits, or business purposes will benefit from this new agreement. The agreement, signed in Beijing, marks a significant step in creating closer ties between the two nations and facilitating smoother travel for their citizens.

UPDATE (January 8, 2024): China and Thailand have agreed to a permanent visa-free policy starting March 2024, fostering diplomatic relations and stimulating economic activity in their respective tourism sectors. Click here  for more information regarding this mutual free-visa agreement between China and Thailand.

UPDATE (December 8, 2023): On December 8, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the Notice on Temporary Reduction of Fees for Applying Visa to China . According to this notice, during the period from December 11, 2023, to December 31, 2024, China shall cut visa fees by 25 percent across the board for foreign travelers. For more details, please consult with your local Chinese embassy or consulate.

UPDATE (December 7, 2023): China and Singapore are seeking to establish a mutual 30-day visa-free travel arrangement to boost people exchanges between the two countries, according to  Reuters . At the time of writing, no further details have been released regarding the timeline or the eligibility, requirement, and application procedures of this new arrangement. Click here for more information regarding this mutual 30-day visa-free travel between China and Singapore. 

UPDATES (November 24, 2023) : According to the official announcement on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China will grant unilateral visa-free travel for holders of ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, during the period from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. Holders of ordinary passports from the above countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days. Click here for more information on this new 15-day visa-free travel/transit policy granted to citizens of five European nations and Malaysia.

UPDATES (November 17, 2023) : According to an official announcement from the China National Immigration Administration (NIA), China has added Norway to the list of applicable countries that qualify for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit on arrival. Starting from November 17, 2023, Norwegian citizens will be able to enjoy the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy offered in 23 Chinese cities, covering 20 cities and 29 entry and exit ports. Click here for more information related to the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy.

After almost three years, China has finally reopened its borders to international travelers and tourists, and in March 2023, it resumed issuing all types of visas to foreigners . This means China has begun permitting people with valid travel documents that allow visa-free entry back into the country and has once again started issuing its short-stay entry permits that are available on arrival for citizens of certain countries.  

Below we provide an overview of all the visa-free options that are currently available for people traveling to China, and who is eligible to enjoy these policies.  

Countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China  

China has also signed agreements on mutual visa exemption with over 150 countries, which enables certain citizens to travel to China without a visa. However, for the majority of countries, visa-free arrangements apply only to diplomatic or official passports.

A few countries do enable visa-free travel to China for citizens holding ordinary passports. Citizens from these countries are allowed to travel to China without a visa for up to 30 days for the purposes of tourism, travel, business, and visiting family or friends.  

These countries are:  

• The Bahamas  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina  
• The Maldives  
• Mauritius  
• San Marino  
• Seychelles  
• The United Arab Emirates  

Citizens from the above countries will still need to apply for a corresponding visa to China if they intend to work, study, or settle in China, or intend to stay for longer than 30 days.  

Countries with 30-day visa-free travel to China

China and Singapore have officially agreed  to implement a visa-free entry policy for their citizens, allowing stays of up to 30 days.

Starting from February 9, 2024, individuals holding ordinary passports and traveling for tourism, family visits, or business purposes will benefit from this new agreement. The agreement, signed in Beijing, marks a significant step in creating closer ties between the two nations and facilitating smoother travel for their citizens.

Countries with 15-day visa-free travel to China 

In the past, citizens with a valid ordinary passport from Japan, Brunei, and Singapore have been permitted to travel to China for a period of up to 15 days without applying for a visa for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, or transiting to a third country. However, this policy was suspended since the end of COVID-19 restrictions in China.

On July 26, 2023, the 15-day visa-free travel to China policy was resumed for citizens of Brunei and Singapore, the latter of which has been upgraded to a 30-day visa-free travel since February 2024, as introduced earlier.

On November 24, 2023, China announced that its 15-day visa-free travel policy was expanded to five European countries and Malaysia. During the period from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, Holders of ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days.

Then on March 7, 2024, China announced that it had decided to expand its 15-day visa-free entry policy to another six European countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. During the period from March 14 to November 30, 2024, holders of ordinary passports from the above countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days.

To note, citizens from these countries would previously also have had to apply for a visa in advance if they:  

• Expect to stay in China for more than 15 days; or
• Intend to study, work, settle down, or attend an interview in China.

At the time of writing, it’s still not clear when this policy will be resumed for citizens of Japan. This means citizens from Japan still need to apply for a Chinese tourist, business, or another type of visa to enter China at this time.  

24/72/144-hour China visa-free transit  

China allows eligible travelers from certain countries to enter and stay in certain areas of China for 24, 72, and 144-hour periods without prior application for a visa when transiting to a third country.  

Note that people are excluded from this policy if they are:  

• Not permitted to enter the country as stipulated by laws and administrative regulations (such as people who have been subject to sanctions or travel bans);  
• Hold a passport or other international travel document that is valid for less than three months upon the time of arrival, or which has a refusal stamp from a Chinese visa issuing agency;  
• Have records of illegal entry and exit, illegal residence, and illegal employment in China in the last five years; and/or
• Have violated accommodation registration regulations in the last two years and the circumstances are deemed serious.  

144-hour visa-free transit  

Under the 144-hour visa-free transit policy , foreign travelers can apply for a six-day entry permit to certain Chinese cities upon arrival at the port of entry, provided they hold a passport from one of the 54 eligible countries. They also must show that they are traveling to a third country after leaving China, which means they must show a connecting ticket to a third country when arriving in China. This is a great option for people who want to make a short stop-over to explore various areas of the country.  

The 54 countries are:  

• 25 countries in the Europe Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.  
• 15 other countries in Europe: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus.   
• Six countries in the Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.   
• Two countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.   
• Six countries in Asia: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.  

Eligible travelers can only apply for the 144-hour visa-free transit if they enter through one of the 29 designated ports of entry in 20 mainland Chinese cities. In addition, travelers are only allowed to travel within a certain area on the entry permit and exit the country through designated ports as well. People who travel outside the permitted area and exit the country through a non-designated port may face certain penalties.  

For more information on eligibility requirements, permitted ports of entry and exit, and permitted scope of travel, see our dedicated article: 144-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy for Foreigners .  

72-hour visa-free transit  

Travelers from the 54 countries that are eligible for the 144-hour entry permit are also eligible for the 72-hour visa-free policy . However, there are currently only three entry ports in China that offer 72-hour visa-free entry, as the majority of ports that previously offered it now offer the 144-hour permit instead. The ports are Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, Harbin Taiping International Airport, and Changsha Huanghua International Airport.

Travelers who enter through Guiling and Harbin are only allowed to travel within the scope of the cities themselves, whereas travelers who enter through Changsha are permitted to travel within the whole of Hunan Province.  

All the same requirements and restrictions for the 144-hour entry permit apply to the 72-hour entry permit.  

24-hour visa-free transit  

All international travelers (except those exempted due to special circumstances ) that are transiting through China are permitted to apply for a 24-hour visa-free entry permit upon arrival. As with the other two visa-free transit policies, travelers must provide a connecting ticket to a third country. They are not permitted to leave the city in which they arrived during their 24-hour stay and must leave the country within 24 hours.  

China visa-free policies for individual travelers and tour groups

Pearl river delta  .

People from countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and are traveling in a tourist group organized by a travel agency registered in Hong Kong or Macao can travel to the nine mainland Chinese cities of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou) for up to six days without a visa. The same policy also applies to tour groups visiting Shantou in Guangdong Province, as long as their activities do not extend beyond the administrative area of Shantou.  

To be eligible for this policy, the tour group must depart from Hong Kong or Macao.  

International tour groups of two and above who arrive on a cruise ship at Shanghai Cruise Port can get 15 days of visa-free travel to Shanghai and other coastal provinces, regions, and municipalities in which the cruise ship berths. These are Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.

The tourists are allowed to travel around the cities in which the cruise has berthed, as well as neighboring cities. This includes Beijing but otherwise does not include any cities or regions outside the above-mentioned provinces and regions.  

The tour groups must be organized by travel agencies that have registered with the Shanghai Tourism Administration and Shanghai Customs.  

Citizens of 59 countries are now eligible for 30 days of visa-free travel to the province of Hainan for purposes s uch as business, visiting, family reunions, medical treatment, exhibitions, sports competitions, and other needs (excluding long-term working and studying). Eligible travelers are free to travel around the whole province of Hainan and can travel from Hong Kong or any other place outside Mainland China with a direct flight to the island.  This visa-free access will count its 30-day duration from 00:00 the day following the entry date.

This policy was previously only applicable to tour groups but was expanded to individual travel as well on March 15, 2023. On February 9, 2024, the 30-day visa-free travel to the province of Hainan was expanded again to include more allowed purposes of entry. 

The eligible countries are Russia, the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, and Belarus.  

Tour groups consisting of a minimum of two people from the 10 ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines) that are organized and hosted by a travel agency registered and approved by the tourism authority of Guilin, Guangxi Province, can enter and exit through Guilin airport port and stay in Guilin for up to six days without a visa.  

Visa-free travel for tour groups from six countries  

Some of the agreements on mutual visa exemption also enable visa-free travel for tour groups. These countries are Azerbaijan, Belarus , Russia , Georgia, Moldova, and Turkmenistan.  

The requirements for the tour groups differ slightly between the different countries’ agreements and may include having a minimum of five people in the tour group, and in general, the trip can last up to 30 days. There are no limits placed on where the tour group can travel, but the tours must be organized by certain designated agencies.  

Visa-free travel for tour groups on cruise ships

Effective May 15, 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has officially implemented a  visa-free policy  for foreign tourist groups entering China via cruise ships . This progressive move aims to enhance personnel exchanges and foster cooperation between China and other nations, furthering the country’s commitment to high-level openness.

Under this policy,  foreign tourist groups , comprising  two or more individuals , who travel by cruise ship and are organized by Chinese domestic travel agencies, can now enjoy  visa-free entry  as a cohesive group at cruise ports in  13 cities  along the Chinese coast.

These cities include:

• Dalian (Liaoning)
• Lianyungang (Jiangsu)
• Wenzhou (Zhejiang)
• Zhoushan (Zhejiang)
• Xiamen (Fujian)
• Qingdao (Shandong)
• Guangzhou(Guangdong)
• Shenzhen (Guangdong)
• Beihai (Guangxi)
• Haikou (Hainan)
• Sanya (Hainan)

The tourist group must remain with the same cruise ship until its next port of call and stay within China for no more than 15 days. The eligible areas for this policy are coastal provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and Beijing.

Special cards enabling China visa-free entry  

Apec business travel card holders  .

Holders of a valid Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) can enter China multiple times within the card’s validity period for business purposes for periods of up to 60 days at a time. The ABTC is valid for five years and thus functions as a five-year multi-entry visa.

Only citizens of the 21 APEC member economies are eligible for the ABTC (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia; Singapore; Taiwan, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam).  

Note that although Canada and the US do offer ABTCs, they only provide fast-track immigration processing and do not offer reciprocal entry arrangements, meaning that ABTC holders from the US and Canada are not eligible to enter China directly without a visa, and vice versa.  

In addition, candidates must engage in regular business travel through the APEC member economies and not hold a criminal record.  

Entry to China with the ABTC was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed on August 24, 2022.  

Permanent residence card holders  

It goes without saying that holders of a Chinese permanent residence card do not need to apply for a visa to travel to China, and can freely leave and enter the country through all passenger ports for work, business, family visits, and travel.  

To be eligible for the permanent residency card, foreigners must meet a relatively high bar of work and liquidity requirements, which vary from region to region. For more information on this topic, see our articles on applying for a permanent residence card in Shanghai , Guangdong , and Beijing .  

Residence permit holders

Foreigners with residence permi ts issued by Chinese public security organs who are in China for work or study are permitted to leave and enter the country as many times as they wish without applying for a visa each time, provided it is during the vali dity period of the residence permit.

Foreigners and foreign journalists who come to China for work or study are required to apply for a residence permit after first entering the country.  

Note that the residence permit will be provided as a sticker in the passport with the word “residence” on it, rather than as a separate residen c e card .  

(This article was first published in November 2023 and was last updated on May 15, 2024.)

China Briefing is one of five regional Asia Briefing publications, supported by Dezan Shira & Associates . For a complimentary subscription to China Briefing’s content products, please click here .

Dezan Shira & Associates assists foreign investors into China and has done so since 1992 through offices in Beijing , Tianjin , Dalian , Qingdao , Shanghai , Hangzhou , Ningbo , Suzhou , Guangzhou , Dongguan , Haikou , Zhongshan , Shenzhen , and Hong Kong . We also have offices in Vietnam , Indonesia , Singapore , United States , Germany , Italy , India , and Dubai (UAE) and partner firms assisting foreign investors in The Philippines , Malaysia , Thailand , Bangladesh , and Australia . For assistance in China, please contact the firm at [email protected] or visit our website at www.dezshira.com .

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Singapore's visa-free entry policy boosts tourism

It's heartening to see Singapore will implement a reciprocal visa-free policy for Chinese travelers in the near future, said tourism industry insiders and operators who believe the move will bring mutual benefits to the development of tourism in the two countries.

At a high-level meeting in Tianjin earlier this month, China and Singapore said that a mutual visa-free policy for up to 30 days will be carried out, though details were not revealed yet, reported Lianhe Zaobao, a Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore.

On July 26, China announced the resumption of unilateral visa-free entry to people from Singapore holding ordinary passports, who are allowed to stay for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, family visits and transit. The policy was suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a recent news conference that stronger communication between China and Singapore serves the fundamental interests of people from both countries and the policy will be a great benefit to the people. He said that the departments responsible for the work are in close communication over the details, and are looking forward to the implementation of the policy.

Online travel agency Trip.com Group said that as of 1 pm on Dec 7 — one hour after the news was revealed — searches for flights and hotels in Singapore surged by 90 percent and 50 percent respectively on its platform.

Fan Dongxiao, who in charge of short-distance outbound tours at travel portal Tuniu, said that Singapore is popular among Chinese travelers due to its safer environment and richer tourism resources among countries and regions in Southeast Asia.

"We've seen increasing bookings to Singapore this year, especially in the summer holiday and National Day holiday. It's a good popular choice for family trips and those favoring group tours.

"Singapore's visa policy was not that friendly to unmarried single women who may face a higher possibility of being rejected. I think the future implementation of a visa-free policy will bring great benefits to Chinese people," she added. "Singapore has more friendly language services to Chinese people, and its good safety, transportation, education and technology fit Chinese travelers' demands for family and educational trips."

Xiao Peng, an analyst from travel portal Qunar, said that Malaysia announced a visa-free policy for Chinese people holding ordinary passports for up to 30 days from Dec 1, and with the future implementation of Singapore's visa-free policy, Chinese travelers can lengthen their single outbound trip from three days to five or six days to visit the two countries.

He added that the two destinations will be top choices for Chinese people to spend their Spring Festival holiday — which falls around mid-February — because of their warmer climates.

China has long been one of the main sources of travelers to Singapore. Figures from the Singapore Tourism Board show that the country received about 19.1 million international travelers in 2019, with about 3.63 million from China.

According to the China Tourism Academy, overseas destinations in the eastern and southeastern parts of Asia have received the most Chinese travelers in first half of the year, among which Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia remain the top choices.

"We are confident that the reciprocal visa exemption policy will have a positive impact on the tourism industry in both countries. Tourist-friendly policies such as this will definitely spur international travel as they remove a sticking point in the travel planning process, and we look forward to the start of visa-free travel between Singapore and China in the new year," said Trip com Group.

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China’s tourists to spend nearly 6.8 trillion yuan on holidays at home.

CHINESE tourists embarking on adventures closer to home are forecast to pump a record 6.8 trillion yuan (S$1.3 trillion) into the mainland economy this year – topping pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

Spending by domestic holidaymakers is expected to be 11 per cent higher than 2019 – before the Covid pandemic stopped most travel, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council and Oxford Economics.

“Chinese visitors are starting to travel again and this is only going to continue to grow,” said travel council president Julia Simpson. “The tourism sector has shown signs of resilience and a strong recovery.”

Chinese holidaymakers are a driving force for the global tourism industry, with many countries keenly awaiting the return of travel and spending from the world’s biggest market of travellers. In 2019, Chinese travellers made 170 million trips abroad and spent almost US$248 billion overseas – making up 14 per cent of global tourism spending, according to World Travel and Tourism Council data.

However, a backlog in processing visas in countries such as the US, and more expensive international flights, have kept Chinese holiday makers closer to home, where they are flocking to cities for popular local delicacies such as spicy street foods and smaller towns in a “reverse travel” trend shunning crowds.

Meanwhile, international visitors to China still have not rebounded. Spending by foreign tourists on the mainland this year is expected to hit 715 billion yuan, about a quarter below 2019 levels. China was one of the last big economies to re-open its borders and inbound flights to the country have not fully returned.

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In recent months, China has loosened visa restrictions for visitors from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, along with some European countries and cruise ship passengers, in a bid to boost both inbound tourism and investment. At the beginning of the year, Beijing said it had eased visa requirements for 11 countries since July 2023.

China reported 82 million tourist arrivals last year – about 56 per cent of the 2019 level, according to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics. The number of visits made by people from outside of Hong Kong and Macau was just 13.8 million, lagging pre-Covid figures by around 57 per cent.

And even as the country’s economy has weakened and retail spending remained sluggish, travel is one of the stronger consumption categories, according to Morgan Stanley. The tourism and travel sector broadly supported 80 million tourism and travel jobs this year, about 2 per cent below 2019, according to the report. BLOOMBERG

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