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A Quick Guide to Chinese Tourist Visas

Since China does not have mutual visa-free agreements with many countries, ordinary passport holders from most countries who want to visit China as a tourist must obtain a tourist visa (L visa) unless they meet one of the visa exemption criteria.

While it does involve some documentation and logistics, applying for a Chinese tourist visa doesn't require too much effort or time. In this article, we will provide an overview and some tips on how to apply for a tourist visa for China or take advantage of one of the visa exemption policies. Please be aware that all government regulations are subject to change without prior notice. Contact the visa office at the Chinese embassy or consulate nearest you for the latest requirements for a Chinese tourist visa.

Types of Chinese Tourist Visa

China usually issues three types of tourist visa: single-entry (valid for 3-6 months), double-entry (valid for 6 months), and multiple-entry (valid for 6 or 12 months). Single-entry tourist visas usually grant a maximum stay of 30 days, but you can ask for up to 90 days. The number of days you receive partly depends on the passport you hold. Tourist visas can normally be extended no more than two times within China.

US citizens are eligible for a 10-year multiple-entry visa with a maximum stay of 60 days per entry. In order for US citizens to be eligible for the ten-year visa, US passport holders must have more than one year of validity remaining on their passports. If their passports have one year or less of remaining validity (more than 6 months), they will receive a visa with less than one year of validity.

When and How to Apply for a Tourist Visa

The single-entry tourist visa normally has a validity period of three months so it's best to apply for a China tourist visa 30 to 60 days before your intended date of entry. If you apply too far in advance, the visa may expire before you arrive in China.

Unless you are traveling as part of a group, you will need to arrange your own visa. Some countries have visa agents but this adds substantially to the cost. If you are able to go straight to the embassy/consulate nearest you, it will be cheaper. You can search on the internet to find the Chinese embassy or consulate closest to you. You can also apply for a Chinese visa outside of your home country—just make sure that you are able to fulfill all the application requirements.

Visa applications are normally processed within three to four working days, but you can choose to pay an extra amount for rush service. If you go to the visa office in person, you may be able to get a visa on the same day for a fee.

When applying for Chinese tourist visas, the procedures, requirements, issue time, and fee may vary from country to country. Details and application forms can be found on the website of the Chinese embassy in your country. If you need an invitation letter for your application, we can help issue one.

Whatever country you are applying from, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months at your time of arrival in China.

15 Days Visa-free Policy for Citizens of 12 Countries

Until the end of 2025, citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg with ordinary passports are allowed to enter and stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit.

The entry date is calculated as the first day. Visitors entering under this 15-day visa-free policy need to leave China before 24:00 on the 15th day.

24, 72, and 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

China allows 24, 72, or 144-hour visa-free stays for travelers from certain countries who transit via mainland China for a third international destination (Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are included).

The 24-hour visa-free transit is relatively simple: it applies to travelers from most countries at most Chinese ports of entry, except the airports in Shenzhen, Yanji, Mudanjiang, Fuzhou, and Huangshan. The stopover time is calculated from your scheduled arrival time until your scheduled departure time. Travelers with this visa-free transit are allowed multiple stops (for example, USA-to-Beijing-to-Guangzhou-to-UK) as long as they leave mainland China within 24 hours.

Xi'an, Chongqing, Guilin, Harbin, and Changsha also allow 72-hour visa-free entry for transiting travelers with passports from certain countries. The 72-hour period is counted from the moment you receive your entry permit. Travelers with this visa-free transit are only allowed to travel within the city they entered. For example, if you enter through Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, you are only allowed to travel within the Xi'an area.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang region, Guangdong, Chengdu, Kunming, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, and Liaoning allow 144-hour visa-free entry for transiting travelers with passports from the same countries as the 72-hour visa-free transit. The 144-hour period starts from 00:00 of the day following your arrival; that usually means a few extra hours to spend in China. Travelers with this visa-free transit are not allowed to travel outside the region or province they enter. For example, if you enter through Beijing, you are only allowed to travel within Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei province, so you cannot visit Shanghai and/or depart from Shanghai.

Countries that are eligible for the 72-hour & 144-hour visa-free transit

European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, and Monaco Countries in the Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile Countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand Asian countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar

Here is a tool from the Chinese government that allows you to check if you are qualified for one of the above forms of visa-free transit.

How to apply for visa-free transit

To apply for any of the above three forms of visa-free transit, you must present your plane, ship, or train ticket with confirmed seat and date (a standby ticket is not acceptable) for a third country that must be different from the country you traveled from. For example, if you are doing a USA-to-Beijing-to-Hong Kong trip, you are eligible for visa-free transit, but if you are doing a USA-to-Beijing-to-USA trip, then you will not be eligible. You may also need a visa for the third country or region if applicable.

Make sure that your passport is valid at least 6 months from the date of entry, and remember to fill the arrival/departure card at the airport or on the airplane before you land before you apply for the visa-free entry permit.

Other Visa Exemption Policies

Travelers holding a valid ordinary passport from one of the following countries are eligible to visit Hainan province for 30 days without a visa: Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, 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, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus.

Visitors must travel with a travel agency registered in Hainan province. They can enter Hainan Island through any airport or ship port in Hainan province, but are not allowed to travel outside the province.

Foreign travelers arriving in Shanghai on a cruise ship can visit Shanghai and some other Chinese cities (including Beijing) for up to 15 days without a visa provided they leave China on the same ship. Travelers making use of the 15-day visa exemption are required to travel with tour groups (of a minimum of two people) organized by a travel agency that is registered in China. Travel agencies must submit details of their tour groups to the authorities at least 24 hours before the ships arrive in Shanghai; this means that travelers need to book the tour in advance to leave enough time for the travel agency to complete the application.

No visa is required for ordinary passport holders from the following countries: 90 days: San Marino 30 days: Bahamas; Ecuador; Fiji; Grenada; Mauritius; Serbia; Seychelles; Tonga; Barbados (June 1st, 2017) 15 days: Brunei; Japan; Singapore

Travel to Tibet

The requirements for visiting Tibet are very different from those for other provinces in China. All travelers to Tibet must arrange their trip in advance with a registered travel agency. This is the rule and there are no exceptions. Tibetan authorities issue a Tibet Travel Permit only after a traveler has secured a Chinese visa. Depending on the places you would like to visit in Tibet, you may need further documents such as a Military Permit and/or Alien Travel Permit. Contact us for the most up-to-date information on how to travel to Tibet.

Important Note

Be sure to double check the visa requirements at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before you travel to China, as China's visa policies, especially their visa exemption policies, can be confusing and are subject to change from time to time. Sometimes the visa rules may be interpreted differently by various cruise lines or local officials at the port of entry.

In order to avoid any possible confusion or inconvenience, we suggest that every traveler who plans to take advantage of any visa-free policies check with the relevant port of entry in China or the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country before you travel to China. Before you board the plane bound for China, you can also ask your airline to check if you will be able to get the visa-free entry permit upon arrival. If you are not sure whether you are eligible for the visa-free entry permit, you can instead apply for a regular transit visa or a tourist visa in your home country. If you are planning a tour with us, our travel specialists will also help you with the visa issues. ■

The China Guide is a Beijing-based travel agency that customizes private tours, educational student tours, and incentive trips across China. We have more than ten years of experience crafting tours for tens of thousands of travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and beyond. We promise all our tours have no hidden fees, no shopping stops, no touristy restaurants, just memorable experiences! Learn more about us or contact us to start planning your perfect China trip .

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Travel China Cheaper

Travel China the smart way! Expert tips and travel advice for China tourists and expats.

PLANNING A TRIP TO CHINA? Start Here

China Visa: The Comprehensive Guide for 2024

February 4, 2024 By Josh Summers

Entering China visa-free? The 10-year China visa? Extending a China visa?? Understanding the Chinese visa process isn’t easy! It’s difficult to find all the information you need, much less in a single resource. There’s a lot to consider when applying for your visa to China and below I’d like to walk you through my 2024 travelers’ guide to China visas .

Regardless of whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, schooling or visiting family, there is no way around it…you will need a visa in your passport to exit the airport, train station or cruise port in China.

So, how and where does one get a China visa? How much do they cost? What kind of visa’s are available?

This process may appear daunting but the first step is acquiring the proper information. That’s where this guide hopefully comes in handy!

You should note that this guide first appeared as a chapter in the China travel handbook , a book I’ve published on Amazon that is a “how to” guide for travel in the region and one of the best-selling books for first-time travelers to China.

Feel free to read through this entire guide or jump to a specific section using the menu links below:

I’m from [country]. Do I need a Chinese visa to visit China?

Where do I get a Chinese visa?

How long is the China visa process?

How much does a Chinese visa cost?

Which kind of China visa should I apply for?

How do I extend my current Chinese visa?

I’ve heard about a 10-year China visa. What is this?

What are China Transit Visas (72 hour & 144 hour)?

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Who Needs a Chinese Visa?

Chances are, if you’re reading this right now…you will need to get a Chinese visa.

The majority of people will require a visa although there are a few exceptions. You may not require a visa if:

• You are traveling through China on your way to your final destination and will be in the country no longer than 24 hours . In this case you must remain in your area of transit such as the airport, train station, or port. You cannot leave to visit the city .
• You are from Brunei, Singapore, or Japan and plan to conduct business, visit family, or vacation for less than 15 days. There are stipulations here, so check with your consulate to determine what they are.
• You are traveling to Hainan with an organized group of five or more people and plan to stay for no more than 15 days. In this case, the visa will technically be taken care of by the travel agency.

Perhaps you’ve heard of China’s visa-free transit policy . I’ll detail this more below, but I don’t include this in the list above because you will still receive a visa in your passport. The only difference between this and a traditional visa is that you can apply for this visa upon arrival.

Where Does One Get a Chinese Visa?

Where and how you apply for a Chinese visa varies depending on where you live.

In countries such as Denmark, Canada, and the United Kingdom, one can apply for a visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center or CVASC.

If you live in the United States, you will need to apply at the Chinese Consular Office, the location of which varies based on which state you reside.

Regardless of where you are applying, mailed China visa applications are NO LONGER accepted .

(*Edit:  I’ve been told that mailed applications are accepted in Australia) .

Applications need to be delivered directly to the CVASC or Chinese Consular Office. If it’s not an option to hand-deliver your application personally, you may have someone deliver it on your behalf such as a close friend or family member or even a good China visa service agency .

Also, it’s worth noting that China requires either an invitation letter from a business/agency or proof of round-trip flights and hotels in order to apply for a visa. This can present a problem for many people (i.e. those who will fly in but exit by train or bus) but there are creative ways to solve this flight/hotel problem for China visas .

How Long Does it Take to Get a Visa?

It generally takes around 4 business days to process an application if you have the proper documents. A passport that has no less than 6 month validity with blank pages is required as well as a passport sized colored photo attached to the completed application.

For an extra charge you can expedite delivery and receive your visa in 1 to 3 days (in some cases even 24 hours!), but this does not include the time it takes for your passport to be mailed to the consulate and can be very expensive.

**The above example is for reference only and is based on U.S. citizenship. Processing times and fees may vary depending on what service you use.**

What is the Cost of a Visa?

Fees can vary depending on where you are applying, your nationality, and required entries. One can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $140 USD or more.

People from a certain number of countries such as Albania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria will not be charged a fee but if you are from the United States or United Kingdom, you can expect to pay the highest rate (since we charge the Chinese a high fee for their passports).

Instead of attempting to list all of the Chinese visa rates here, we suggest you check with a reputable visa service like Passport Visa Express .

Explanation of Each Type of Chinese Visa

There are a number of Chinese visas one can apply for. Which one you choose really depends on your reasons for traveling.

When applying for any visa it’s important to have a completed application with a passport sized photo as well as a passport that remains valid for no less than 6 months. Listed here are the different types of visas and the requirements for getting them.

China Tourist Visa (L) Explained

The Chinese L Visa is the most common visa and likely the one that any traveler will be getting.

If you are planning to vacation or visit family in China you will need to obtain a Tourist Visa. This is the only visa that an individual can apply for without help from a business, school, or government agency.

If you will be traveling with a tour group, the organization may obtain an L Visa for the entire group rather than everyone having their own individual visas. In this case, you will give all of your information to a travel agency and they will take care of the details for you.

For those of you who are traveling alone, you will need to give all of your information to the consular office.

In addition to filling out the application and having a valid passport, you will also need to present a photocopy of your plane ticket home from China. An employee of the consular office may also request hotel information for the entire duration of your trip.

If you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China they will need to provide you with an invitation letter that includes their address, name, and the numbers of their resident permits and passports. You will want to have a copy of all of these documents.

The multi-entry tourist visa is the most popular amongst tourists and permits you 30 or 60 days in China. Multi-entry means that you can leave the country and come back on the same visa.

China usually does not issue tourist visas for longer than 60 days and if you require longer you’ll either need to work directly with the consulate or apply for a different visa.

China Business Visas (F and M) Explained

The F visa is for individuals invited to China for investigations, non-commercial exchanges, education, science related ventures, and health reasons.

Note:  You will require an invitation from a business entity to obtain this Chinese visa.

The M visa is for individuals who travel to China for business. This visa does not allow you to work or be employed in China but rather allows you to conduct business or trades.

This visa requires that you have an invitation letter provided by a Chinese organization or company .

China Student Visa (X) Explained

There are two different types of student visas, X1 and X2. X1 allows students to remain in China for longer than 6 months while X2 only permits a student to stay for 6 months or less.

Both visas allow foreign students to study or perform fieldwork in China. The organization you are working with will provide you with a JW202 or JW201 form and a letter of admission which must be returned with the application.

Most schools, an example being ThatsMandarin , will do a lot of the visa legwork for you. X visas do not permit you to work in China although this may be an option in the near future.

China Work Visa (Z) Explained

If you want to work in China and get paid, you will need a Work Visa. It’s important that the company you are planning to work with is able to employ foreign workers and you need to meet certain requirements that qualify you as an expert in your field of work.

Most often foreigners employed in China teach English which is why many universities and schools are accredited to employ foreign employees (read more about how to get a Z visa by finding a job teaching English in China ).

Remember:  It is technically illegal to work for pay in China without a work visa and you can get deported for doing so.

Your employer is responsible for sending you the proper documents such as a Visa Notification Letter and Employee Permit. Initially this visa is only good for 30 days so it’s imperative that you apply for a Temporary Residence Permit when you arrive which has a maximum of 5 years.

Private Visits and Family Reunion Visas (S and Q)

The S visa or Private Visit Visa is relatively new and allows family members to visit loved ones who are working or going to school in China. Family members that are able to use this visa include siblings, spouses, in-laws, children, parents, and grandparents.

There are two different types of S visas: the S1 and S2. S1 permits family members to stay for more than 6 months while S2 is for shorter stays. If you are planning to stay for longer than 6 months you will need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit shortly after you arrive.

The Q visa or Family Reunion Visa is for those wishing to visit family members who reside in China for a long period of time. The Q visa is for foreigners who have relatives who are Chinese citizens or have permanent residency.

This visa can also be used for individuals who are planning to participate in foster care or adoption. The length of this visa can range from 30 days to 180 days although you will have to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit if you wish to stay longer than 30 days.

China Resident Visas (D) Explained

Resident Visas are extremely hard to get (read: practically impossible ). To apply for this visa you need to have lived in China for at least 5 years and contributed in a big way to investments and/or made a large amount of profits for China.

It’s also important that you have great connections and rapport with the establishment you are working with.

China Journalist Visa (J) Explained

There are 2 types of Journalist Visas, J1 and J2. J1 is for journalists who will be spending a substantial amount of time in China while J2 is shorter term. It’s a long process to get this visa which requires you to have a personalized invitation from the Chinese media and if you plan on bringing your own camera equipment, you can expect to jump over multiple hurdles.

How Does One Extend a Visa?

If you wish to change visas in China (for example, from a tourist visa to a work/student visa) you can do so without leaving the country but it will need to be done well before the expiration of your current visa.

You will need to apply for this at the Public Security Bureau Entry and Exit Administration Office or PSB .

Public Security Bureau = 公安局

When applying to extend your current visa – for example if you want to add another 30 days to your tourist visa – you will be required to supply a number of documents including a Health Certificate that was issued to you by hospitals, the China Entry-Exit Inspection, or the Quarantine Bureau.

Tourist visas cannot be extended more than 30 days without leaving the country.

China’s 10-Year China Visa

China’s 10 year visa has been around for about 5 years now. Those holding passports from a number of countries, including the U.S.A., the U.K. and many more, are now able to obtain a 10 year visa for both tourism (L) and business (M).

China’s 10-year visa allows you to enter and leave China as many times as you want within the 10 year period.

If you wish to apply for this visa, you need to have no less than one year validity on your passport. For those who don’t have a year remaining, you will be given a Chinese visa that is good for 1 year or less.

Once you have obtained the visa you are able to renew your passport if needed with no issues.

While most people who apply for this visa will be able to get it with no difficulties, the Chinese Consulate has the ultimate say in who gets it and the exact length of time the visa is good for.

The process of applying for and obtaining a Chinese Visa can be challenging and time consuming but knowing the necessary information can ease stress and help the process along.

You can learn more about the China 10-year visa here , but we recommend applying for it even if you don’t have any intention of returning to China. It’s the same cost and it could come in handy years down the road if you unexpectedly find reason to return.

China Visa-Free Transit (72 & 144 Hours)

Over the past few years, China has made great strides in introducing generous visa-free transit policies that allow travelers to enter through specific cities.

These visas can be broken up into two categories: 72- and 144-hour transit visas. You must apply for these visas at your point of entry and there are stiff penalties if you overstay these time restrictions. v

The problem with these transit visas (as they’re often called) is that they’re super-confusing. There are a number of very specific rules and regulations you must follow in order to be eligible for the transit visa, and failure to follow them means you will be turned around at the airport when you arrive in China.

It’s important that you do your reading on China’s visa-free transit policy. I’ve compiled as much of the most current information as I can on this subject and created a 2024 Guide to China’s Visa-Free Transit Policy . Check it out before you decide to use this option.

In the map above, you’ll see all the regions in China that offer either 72-hour transit visas or 144-hour transit visas.

Conclusion | Getting a Chinese Visa

Now you have a good understanding of what kind of China visa you’ll need to get and how long it will take to obtain it. The next step is to begin the process!

Thankfully, travelers no longer need to supply proof of flight and hotel for a China visa – horray!

Usually this means applying sometime between a month and three months before your scheduled departure.

Please leave any comments below and check here if you need help finding the best Chinese visa service that can help you gather the appropriate paperwork and submit it to the consulate.

Further Reading & Resources

Traveling or Moving to China Soon?

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About Josh Summers

Josh is the founder of TravelChinaCheaper.com who has been living in China with his family since 2006. Over that period of time he has traveled by plane, train, car, motorcycle and even camel to explore almost every corner of the country.

Reader Interactions

September 4, 2017 at 12:36 am

I will be volunteering in Xi’An for 3 months and a few weeks. I have gone to the chinese embassy to apply for a Business F visa, as instructed by the volunteer organization. i then learned, after 2.5 hours just to speak with someone, that i could not apply for that visa, as i am not invited as a professor or whatever else that visa includes. The lady suggested that I apply for a work visa, but i cannot obtain a work permit, as the organization is not a company and is not paying me. she also said another option would be the tourist visa. I then learned (from the organization, so it may not be accurate) that I have to exit and reenter the country before the first 3 months are over to reset my 3 months and be able to stay. I have looked at transportation prices and options to hong kong, taiwan, south korea, etc… i can’t afford to do this and i only have weekends free, giving very little time to do that cheaply. However, I am confused as to why nobody has suggested that i can apply for “2 entries valid for 3 to 6 months.” Is it very rare for them to grant this, or is there some other reason this has not been a suggested possibility?

Also, what might be the cheapest and fastest ways you know of to make a quick round trip out and back into the country, if that is the only option i have?

Sorry for the novel. thank you for any help you might be able to provide.

September 29, 2017 at 11:10 am

If I am going for a seminar in China, which type of visa is best to apply for?

February 10, 2018 at 5:24 am

Tnk Josh I understood everything think that was written.im Roland zinnah Tyler heading for China

February 10, 2018 at 7:56 am

I’m glad you were able to understand everything, Roland! Enjoy your upcoming trip to China 🙂

April 21, 2018 at 4:12 pm

I am planning to study in China as a student this year. We plan for my wife to come with me. Can I apply for my X1 visa and my wife’s S1 visa simultaneously?

Many thanks,

May 17, 2018 at 7:19 pm

Yes, you can.

May 3, 2018 at 12:46 am

im TravelLing china soon, i have a 3 month (double entry) visa but need to leave after 30 days….My actual trip is only 49 days….do you know of any possibiliTy of getting The 30 day time period extended once in china, so that i dont have to leave, only to re-enter on the same day?

I dont need a longer visa duration only the duration of my ‘first entry’

Ideally i would want to just stay for the full 49 days as Will return to england and wont need to re enter

May 17, 2018 at 7:12 pm

Hey Rik, it is possible to get a visa extension at the public security bureau, but it takes at least 1-2 days worth of time (and hassle). It’s best to either leave the country and re-enter if you have a multi-entry visa (the 30 day clock starts over when you re-enter the country) or to just alter your itinerary to match your visa.

April 29, 2019 at 8:46 pm

Hi Josh, Im going to china, i have all my documents ready for my visa, can i have my daughter who lives in nyc take it there fOr me to be processed? I’m currentLy staYing in CO, my drivers license is FL, will nyc process it for me? Thanks in Advance Wendy o

April 30, 2019 at 8:21 am

If your driver’s license is in Florida, you have to process your China visa in Houston. NYC won’t accept your application, unfortunately. That’s why I recommend you use a service like Passport Visas Express to handle your China visa application.

May 23, 2018 at 5:48 pm

Hi Josh, I currently have a L Visa and it is still valid for nine years. This summer, I plan on Attending a summer program at Peking University and I was told to apply for an X2 visa. I asked and they require students in the program to have a x2 visa. Do you think I get away with just using my L visa since i will only be in china for a short while (not past the 60 days)?

May 23, 2018 at 7:57 pm

You might…but there’s a good chance you won’t be able to get away with it. If the school is asking you to get an X2 visa, I would apply for an X2 visa.

June 1, 2018 at 4:12 pm

Hi JOsh, I am planning to do a Summer School in Beijing first, and after 5 days to start an exchange semester in Hong kong. I am quite confuse about the process that i should start. do i need two different type of visa? could i have one x1 visa since the beginning of my stay in beijing that also works in hong kong?

thanks in advance for your information!!

June 1, 2018 at 8:19 pm

Hi Marcela! The answer to your question relies heavily on which passport you currently hold. You’ll most certainly need a visa for China, but Hong Kong operates independently. Thankfully, Hong Kong is a visa-free country for most passport holders. You’ll just have to check to make sure. If you’ll be staying there for a longer period of time, you’ll have to apply for a residence permit.

June 4, 2018 at 3:13 am

I have a double entry m visa valid for 90 days per visit. Do you know if it is possible to do a visa EXTENSION after my first entry? I am going to China mid JUNE which will expire In SEPTEMBER. I was planning on doing a visa run however 2 WEEKS later in OCTOBER I have a wedding to attend in the STATES for 2 weeks which seems a waste of my second entry as I will be in China until December. If I can’t get an extension on my first visit will this mean I need to apply for a new visa in October?

Thanks for YOUR help!

June 4, 2018 at 12:42 pm

Hi Amelia, great question. Unfortunately, an extension would in most cases cancel out your previous visa. Once the extension is added to your passport (it will take up an entire page of your passport), there’s a good chance they’ll cancel your 90 day visa. It’s not for sure, but I wouldn’t consider it a viable option.

June 8, 2018 at 3:26 am

Hi josh, Thanks for your kind replies. I am in China, and i have a M visa valid for 5 years, with 60 days per visit. Do you think I can change to 90 days duration of stay? Thanks again. (sorry to write in capital letter, but my chinese computer 🙂

June 12, 2018 at 2:31 am

hello i m planning for business visa can i travel by road from pakistan to china because in requirent there is round trip return ait ticket.

June 12, 2018 at 9:44 pm

Yes, you can cross through any open border once you get a visa. The challenge is getting the visa without round trip tickets – in most cases people just buy refundable tickets and then cross the land border.

June 21, 2018 at 12:22 pm

Hi! I Was issued a x1 Visa, however im told i Only have a mOnth to leave china? Im confused. All the Websites say the X1 allows me 6+ months in china but the local government offices say im allowed only a mOnth? I plan to fly to hk and apply for a x2 visa there. Would You recommend this? If you could shed light on my situation i would greatly appreciate it.

June 21, 2018 at 8:19 pm

The only thing that matters is what it says on the visa that is glued to your passport. Does it say only 30 days? Then that’s all you go, no matter what the websites say.

June 25, 2018 at 6:07 pm

Hey josh I just wanted to ask if you’re on a m business visa are you tied to the company that provided the invitation LETTER? Is it possible for the company to cancel the m visa or is that Only for the z WORK visa?

July 3, 2018 at 3:57 am

HI Josh, excellent site thanks for your efforts. I’m going to apply for a 90 day L Visa (Australian passport) and Have made a 89 Day Itinerary for mainland China and have two questions. 1. will a FLIGHT from mainland China to Taiwan satisfy the visa application requirements of a flight leaving China? I haven’t yet decided how long I will spend in Taiwan or which country I will FLy to after Taiwan because I will spend a month or two there after Mainland China.

2. Would Time spent staying in Taiwan (after mainland China) be included in the China 90 visa application ? I think not based on Taiwan requirements but I don’t want to make assumptions. If so I would have to apply for a 6 month chinese visa to include my time traveling around Taiwan.

July 3, 2018 at 12:46 pm

Hi Jamie! Great question. Yes, a flight from China to Taiwan will satisfy the need to “exit the country” and your time in Taiwan will not be counted against your China visa. 🙂

July 4, 2018 at 9:59 am

Hi Josh I am currently on a study visa which expires on the 31st july 2018. I need to extend it for one more month as I plan on visiting China. What do i do? Is it possible?

July 4, 2018 at 8:03 pm

You can attempt to extend your visa at your local Public Security Bureau (PSB). I’m not sure what your chances are with a student visa…good luck!

July 10, 2018 at 8:57 am

July 11, 2018 at 12:42 pm

My pleasure, John!

July 12, 2018 at 12:27 am

Hi, I am on a stay permit till 20th july on mainland china, and i would like to apply for an x1 from hong kong, i already have the invitation letter and admission letter from the school as well as jw202 forms all TOGETHER, however i’m just not sure if i should apply from hong kong, although i have a friend who did it last year…will it work?

July 12, 2018 at 8:32 pm

As long as you technically “leave the country”, it shouldn’t matter whether you’re in Hong Kong or your own country.

July 15, 2018 at 5:47 am

hello. I have 10 year M business visa. can I enter china for my 4 day vacation tour with M visa? Or should I need to get a tourist visa? Thank you.

July 27, 2018 at 4:09 am

Hello! I am planning on visiting china on an l visa (tourist) to travel and then volunteer for three weeks. My stay will not extend past 30 days. is volunteering on a tourist visa ok? i have received mixed signals from multiple sources about this. I know that you can study on a tourist visa as long as the course does not extend past 30 days, so is it the same for volunteering? Many thanks!

July 27, 2018 at 2:59 pm

As long as you’re not getting paid, you should be fine. 🙂

August 17, 2018 at 10:46 am

i’m hoping you can help me…

I was born in athens, Greece but moved to new York with my family as an infant… was raised & lived in NYC my entire life. I hold my ba in literature & writing (from Columbia university). I very much want to teach English in china, but do not have a us passport, I have a greek passport.

my question: will I be able to obtain a z visa to teach English with a greek passport?

any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated, thanks!

August 18, 2018 at 2:24 pm

Hello josh My school is requesting I come through on a tourist visa then when I get there I will convert it into a z visa.

The job starts the 3rd of September So I don’t have much time to get a z visa.

I am South African

I just wanted advice on this, is it possible? how much does it cost? Will the school bear the cost of conversion…I read it can take up To ten business days to get work permit/z visa..then another ten days To get a residence permit…..so this will mean upto twenty days wothout being able to use a bank card or a cellphone….so only Cash…I am not sure but if All is good I can take This risk but I will need support from the school…because I will have To book return flight tickets,itinerary, im not even sure if I have enough money in my bank account. To be eligible For a tourist visa…

August 20, 2018 at 1:31 pm

Hi Armin, this is a common request, although it’s technically frowned upon by the Chinese government and there’s a small chance you could get in trouble. The risk is all on you, though, so you’ll need some sort of support from them – and my guess is that they’re going to be hesitant to give it to you. Overall, I’d see if I could find a more legitimate employer.

January 18, 2019 at 6:18 pm

wanted to follow up on your post, did you end up arriving with a tourist visa and then applying for a z visa once you were there? a potential employer is suggesting the same but i’m uncomfortable with this.

September 1, 2018 at 2:16 am

i am from pakistan and I Have received two admission letters with jw2 form from two different institutes, I have already applied for student entry visa on one jw2 form and I received my documents from institute late which I prefer the second one , now that i have recived my visa on the fist one i want to go to the second institutes do i need to cancel my first student entry visa or i can use the same one.

September 3, 2018 at 12:04 pm

That’s a great question. My initial thought is no, you shouldn’t need to cancel the first student entry visa, but I would check with the second institution where you want to study. They should be able to tell you for sure.

September 12, 2018 at 12:40 pm

Hi, My husband is Working in shanghai holding category x1 visa and is valid till end of november month.can i apply for a dependent s2 visa or should I wait for his renewal. Thanks in advance.

September 12, 2018 at 8:53 pm

Hi Sankari, it shouldn’t be a problem, but you’ll likely have to renew your visa at the same time he does. So if you want to go through the process twice in 3 months, you can go ahead and do it now. Up to you!

September 26, 2018 at 3:13 am

I have a question and you might be able to answer it. I need to apply for a chinese z visa. can I do it in hong kong or should I do it in my country of origin (ecuador). thanks.

September 30, 2018 at 12:16 am

I was wondering if you could answer my question. I am currently in the process of applying for a z visa, and i was wondering if there’s a way my husband could join me in china based on that alone or will he have to apply for an s visa later? thank you

October 1, 2018 at 2:25 pm

They can be applied for concurrently. That’s what I did with my wife and kids.

October 4, 2018 at 2:25 am

Hi JOsH, A friend is currently in BeIjing on a 72 hour visa. HE has been there for 1 day. He failed to realize before going that the transit visa requires that he depart BeiJing to a dIfferent country than the one from which he arrived to china. Upon arrival, he had a nonstop ticket to depart china in 72 hours and return to tokyo, which is the city from which he came to beijing. Chinese immigration required him to purchase a ticket To another country (he bought a 1-way to Tokyo via seoul) before they would allow him into china. Now Japan Airlines tells him that if he fails to catch his scheduled PEK-NRT flight, they will cancel the remaining leg of his trip, which Is his return in 12 days from Tokyo to his home in the US. Do you know of any way he might be able to convince the chinese to permit him to depart beijing on his originally scheduled JAL flight to TokYo so that he does not lose his already puRchased and expensive ticket home to the US? Eating the cost of the seoul ticket is the price of a lesson learned. Do you have any ideas or recommendations? His exit visa has the Seoul flight information on it.

October 4, 2018 at 10:53 am

Hey Steve, that’s quite the ordeal – I’m sorry to hear about that. I’ve faced similar problems with having the remaining legs of a trip canceled after missing one leg. I begged and pleaded to no avail. The airline wouldn’t budge. Based on what you’ve told me, unless he can get on his original flight after having purchased the new flight for the sake of the visa (which doesn’t sound like it’s possible), this might just end up being a very expensive lesson learned.

October 18, 2018 at 4:53 pm

Hi Josh i’ve applied for an Esl job and the school applied for my work permit, i didnt get my work permit yet and they said its okay and it takes 2 or 3 weeks for work permit to be issued. During this process i found a better situation, if i apply for the second one and the second school apply for work permit, is that possible to take the second one while the first one is in progress? is it legal?

October 18, 2018 at 7:23 pm

I’m not sure about the legality, but I do know that based on the measure of integrity, it’s not right that you abandon the first school while they’re in the middle of applying for your work permit.

October 20, 2018 at 7:17 am

is it true that as a student I can travel on a school project for less that 30 days with a tourist visa? I won’t be enrolling in a local university.

October 20, 2018 at 10:23 am

I don’t see why not. The only issue would be if you’re working, which it doesn’t sound like you are. Have a great trip!

October 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm

Josh. we have our ten year Chinese Visas which were issued in August of this year for a trip we were suppose to make in Oct 2018. The company went out of business and the trip was cancelled. when we got the Visas we had to have our trip itinerary attached so the Chinese knew where we where each day. Now we are going in May of 2019 to China with a different Company. Do I need to send the new itinerary to them and if so where goes it get sent.

October 28, 2018 at 2:11 pm

Hi Bernie, great question. If you already received your 10-year China visa, there’s no need to submit a new itinerary. You won’t be asked for it at customs – they only care that you have a valid China visa!

December 3, 2018 at 8:43 pm

Hi, I’m a Canadian citizen and I’m travelling to Hong Kong in a few weeks. We were going to visit Zhuhai and was wondering if I need to apply for an L class China visa, or will I be able to get a VOA (visa on arrival) at Gongbei port? I’m just there to tour the area for a weekend and then head back to Hong Kong.

December 4, 2018 at 8:27 am

Hey Ron, as far as I know, you’re going to need to apply for a China tourist visa. At this moment they don’t offer VOA or even transit visas at Gongbei.

January 10, 2019 at 10:00 am

As a UK citizen with a two-year tourist visa, can i enter and leave China as many times as I want within the 2 year period?

January 10, 2019 at 7:06 pm

It depends. Your Chinese visa will tell you how many times you can enter/exit. Some visas only allow 1 or 2 entries, while other visas are “multi-entry”, which basically means that it’s unlimited for the duration of the visa.

January 15, 2019 at 4:52 pm

Hello Josh,

i WAS WONDERING what your thoughts are on my visa application. I am applying for a standard tourism visa, 10 year length with multiple entry as a canadian. There is four of us going on the trip.

We are travelling to beijing on May 18th 2019 to June 2nd 2019.

in the middle of the trip we are going to Mongolia for 6 days. While applying for my chinese visa there is no option to show the detour to mongolia. My flight is in and out of beijing. We are spending the first 5 days and last 5 days in China, mainly around Beijing and Shanghai.

Maybe an option would be to get two of the 144 hour visas? we will be flying into Beijing from Canada and taking the train to ulaanbatar. then after 6 days in Mongolia we are flying ulaanbatar to bejing to spend 5 days in China and then flying beijing to canada so I believe it meets the requirements of the visa?

The other option is to apply for the entire trip in china and once approved for the 10 year visa, taking the 6 day trip to mongolia in the middle shouldnt be a problem?

Just wondering what your thoughts are.

January 15, 2019 at 7:42 pm

Hey Matt, your best bet is to go with the multi-entry visa with an itinerary that doesn’t mention Mongolia. It really won’t matter if you leave the country in the middle of your trip once you have the visa in your passport.

It’s not clear whether you can get two transit visas within a short window of time, but even more important is that right now you can’t use that transit visa on a train (only airports right now).

February 18, 2019 at 8:51 pm

Hello JOsh, I am traveling To china with a group of friends but are staying an airbnb. How would we be able to go to the embassy to prove we have a place to stay? What are the chances of being asked about this?

February 19, 2019 at 8:10 am

I’m not sure about the chances…I’d say they get higher every month as China cracks down on this. Airbnb in China isn’t a great idea.

February 25, 2019 at 5:19 pm

HI Josh I am doing the transiberian into Beijing. Starting in April but won’t be in Beijing until May. I am from NZ so need to organise a visa from NZ before I leave. So i need a L visa as I want to travel for around 6 weeks do I get multiple entry or what kind would I need. I do not plan to leave the country just do 6 weeks and then fly to Hanoi. There is so much information to read and digest. THanks

February 27, 2019 at 9:10 am

In this case, it sounds like you’ll want to apply for the L visa and make a special request for a 60-day visa so that you don’t need to exit/re-enter. If they only give you a 30-day multi-entry visa, you’ll have to make one exit during those travels (although it could be a simple trip to Hong Kong).

March 3, 2019 at 8:08 am

I am a Danish citizen, but I am travelling around asia at the moment. I would like to visit china but I have to apply for a visa in seoul or Tokyo. Do you think it is possible to obtain a visa for china in seoul or Tokyo? Would my chances of obtaining a visa be greater if I went to HonG Kong ( Hong Kong is not a part of my trip, but if it is easier to obtain a visa from there then I am ready to go to hong kong to apply For the visa to China)

March 5, 2019 at 7:56 am

Absolutely you can get a visa at any Chinese embassy. I don’t think your chances are greater at another place. Just make sure you budget enough time – it usually takes an average of a week of them having your passport and processing the visa (unless you pay for expedited service).

March 26, 2019 at 4:28 pm

Hi, I’ll be going to parts of China and Hong Kong. On the visa application where it asks where I’ll be going and where I’ll be staying in China, do I include Hong Kong?

March 26, 2019 at 9:48 pm

No, you don’t. Just put your itinerary for mainland China (which doesn’t include Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan).

March 26, 2019 at 4:31 pm

For Minors, on the visa application WHERE it asks WHERE you work or what school you go to, do you put down the name of their elementary school or just put minor and leave the rest blank?

March 26, 2019 at 9:47 pm

We left it blank for our young boys.

May 23, 2019 at 1:58 am

Hello, I’m on depEndEnt visa in japan and i have been here for 7 months now. Can I apply for a chinese touri visa here?

May 23, 2019 at 7:35 am

You can apply for a Chinese tourist visa anywhere where there is a Chinese consulate or embassy.

May 28, 2019 at 3:59 am

Hi josh, thanks for your great resource here, lots of good info. I am HK resident and applied for 3-year l visa and have used it for one entry. Going back to shanghai, within 2 weeks OF FIRST ENTRY, this time from lisbon, return. Does it matter where i got my visa and where you enter and depart from? I assume not but trying to confirm.

May 29, 2019 at 7:49 am

No, it doesn’t matter. You could leave and return the same day. You just have to LEAVE 🙂

June 3, 2019 at 2:40 am

Hello josh,

as per information from other persons/friends , we thought the m visa can change to live permit once we get the INVITATION letter but the psb of suzhou saying that its not possible. so need to know how to solve this issue .is there any latest guidelines /regulations from china government to change to z visa . in shanghai its happening but in suzhou they are refusing to extend .

please suggest

June 3, 2019 at 2:02 pm

Hi Damodar, in most cases over the past few years, expats seeking to change visa types (i.e. changing from an M visa to a Z visa) had to leave the country to do so. All long-term visas require a residence permit once you arrive, but that doesn’t replace your visa, it just gives you permission to live in the country once you arrive.

July 2, 2019 at 2:18 am

Hi Josh!, I am not really familiar for china visa ,but i think you can help me.I have a boyfriend who is a chinese citizen and we are planning to get married,literally im not a chinese citizen,So what visa should i apply to?He wants me to go at china,all expenses is his, and the purpose is to prepare for our wedding at china.

July 11, 2019 at 12:19 pm

hi im dennis, currently im in china by a student visa and it will be expiring soon, and i would like to know is there any way that i can change it from student visa to a tourist visa without leaving china, thank you

July 12, 2019 at 9:27 am

In most cases, unfortunately, a change in the type of visa always requires you exit the country.

July 30, 2019 at 6:43 am

I have a valid m visa, but i’m planning to enroll in a chinese language school. can i change my visa to x1 in pbs, as i will be staying in china for a year to learn mandarin?

July 30, 2019 at 1:47 pm

It depends on the PSB. In some cases, they require that you leave the country to change visa types, but I’ve known other friends where that hasn’t been the case.

August 10, 2019 at 2:02 am

Hi, I will be traveling to beijing for 2 weeks on official visit. (software developer at media-Entertainment COMPANY).

I have invitation from chinese counterpart company as well.

It will be strictly work related visit however I do want to carry my DSLR camera along with me to capture some wildlife/birds pictures around.

Can you let me know if I will face any issues with carrying it? It will be an official visit for work and in our application letter , company has strictly mentioned we won’t be doing any journalist work.

Is carrying a dslr for personal hobby reasons permitted in such scenario? what would you recommend? please help.

August 12, 2019 at 8:55 am

You will be fine. I’ve never heard of anybody being questioned for having a nice camera. It’s quite common.

August 23, 2019 at 8:28 am

I am an american and work for a college that has a partner institution in china. I will be traveling to visit the partner institution for official college business but will not be paid by the chinese school. Additionally, inwant to work for the same chinese school and get paid when i am not visiTing as a member of my home institution. Any thoughts on the correct visa?

August 24, 2019 at 5:04 am

The school should be able to help you here. If you’re visiting in an official capacity, you should technically get a business visa. However, as long as you’re not getting paid for your work by the Chinese business, you could probably get away with the tourist visa one time (not if you’re going to do multiple visits over time, though).

August 27, 2019 at 6:30 pm

I was wondering if you could help me.

Pretty much I’m going to apply for my Z Visa when once i got my qualification ( waiting for results).

But for the mean time i was going to apply for a l visa to go vist my girlfriend in Beijing, and test the water by staying for a few weeks. to see if i can function and survive having 100% chinese interaction when going out socialing with her family and friends.

But yeah the main point: i was wondering could she be my letter of invitation to help my l visa process and whats the process? Im from the Uk by way.

Thank you for your time.

August 27, 2019 at 8:35 pm

Hi Kevin, you could apply for the L (tourist) visa, but keep in mind that China wants you to leave the country in order to change visa types. In other words, if you’re in China on an L visa, you’ll have to leave China in order to change over to a Z visa (technically…some local bureaus don’t enforce this).

August 28, 2019 at 9:43 am

Ahh I see thank you confirming It, much appreciated. Just 2 more questions if you please?

Q1: So can my girlfriend be my letter of invitation to help get my L Visa?

Q2: Do i need to prove a Work Certificate? As some sites say Yes and others says No which is very confusing, when applying for my L Visa.

Q2a is the work certificate classed as my national Insurance * proof I can work in the UK* or is just Another WORd for a work contract with my company?

As I want to make sure i got everything ready, apologies if I’m being ANNOYing.

Thank you for your time Josh.

September 12, 2019 at 10:36 am

Hi Josh, I have a multiple entry tourist visa to china, issue date 19th July 2019, expiry date 19th July 2021, duration of stay 90 days. I entered the country on 4th August 2019 and left 28th August 2019.

I have booked flights to return to China 13th October, will I need to apply for another visa?

Many thanks for your time

September 12, 2019 at 10:28 pm

If it’s multi-entry and hasn’t expired yet, then you don’t need to apply for anything. Just show up with your passport!

September 15, 2019 at 11:25 am

I am already on the road trying to get from Australia to Belgium without a plane. I am currently in Myanmar and changing something in my plan. Cycling OVER land and entering China I feel I have two options.

1) Pakistan China border then to Tajikistan 2) Laos China border then to Mongolia

Now I wonder if you know wether CERTAIN embassies are more likely TO accept my application (I am a Belgian citizen and resident). Should I omit the cycling and xinjian region when I apply (people have been telling me this can lead to being denied.

Thanks a lot for your reply

I have been a bit lost lately since changed my plans

September 15, 2019 at 8:27 pm

Putting Xinjiang on your itinerary always increases the chance that you’ll be denied. And yes, some embassies grant visas easier than others, but I don’t have enough experience in SE Asia to tell you which ones. You might want to find a good forum and ask there (Reddit?).

September 16, 2019 at 10:24 am

I have a current valid multi visit visa. I’m traveling out at the end of the week and i return 3 weeks before it expires. I take it it is still ok to travel with a short period of time remaining on the visa……it isn’t like your passport where some countries demand a certain time remaining on the visa before you can travel?

September 16, 2019 at 9:28 pm

Correct. As long as your visa is valid, even if only for a couple days, they will let you in. There may be a warning and possibly a request to see proof of your departure, but you are legally allowed to enter.

September 21, 2019 at 12:17 pm

i am filling out an application form it is asking me to provide all destination/cities i will be going to whilst visiting china. i am going with a travel agency so will i need to fill them all out as there is multiple cities i will be visiting.

Many thanks!

September 23, 2019 at 1:33 am

I would just list the major cities that you hit. Your travel agency should be able to provide you an itinerary and an invitation letter to help with this process.

October 1, 2019 at 1:26 am

i am applying for a visa for china but do not have actual departure and arrival dates as yes, meetings still being finalised. Can i apply with proposed dates and then travel on slightly different dates? it will only be a difference of a matter of days either side. Would there be any issue with that?

October 1, 2019 at 2:18 am

As long as you can provide proof of travel and accommodation, I believe it’s still possible.

October 21, 2019 at 1:25 pm

Hi…even though we are canadian hoping you can answer thiS. We have obtaIned our “l” visas for our upcoming cruise stop in shanghai. We wanted to woory free anout the visa waiver thus obtained the “L”.

Question 1. What will we do whrn arriving at the cruise port in shanghaI?….just shoe our visa/passport or wIll there be additional paperwOrk.

Question 2. Is there / will there be a SEPARATE (faster) line for thOse already holding a visa vs thOse having to go through the whole visa waiver/ fingerprint line?

Thanks FOR YOUR time With this

October 21, 2019 at 8:24 pm

Hi Rory, I’m glad you were able to get the visa! In my experience, your line will go much faster (even though it will look longer to start with). You will go through the regular customs line for foreign passport holders. You will have your passport as well as the arrival/departure card given to you by the airline before you landed.

November 8, 2019 at 5:10 pm

Hello – we plan to visit our son that is studying abroad in Shanghai. We are all US citizens. Is a s2 the best visa to get? or do we apply for the l visa? If we are required to have the s2, then will a photo of our son’s visa application and passport suffice? Thank you

November 10, 2019 at 7:52 pm

The best visa in your situation is a tourist visa.

November 20, 2019 at 10:29 pm

RE: visa’s.. A few things worth noting.. For US citizens married to Chinese citizens (or considering it), regardless of how long you’ve been married or present in China, the best you’ll be able to get is a Q tourist visa for 10 years.. and you’ll still need to leave China every 120 days (max) as well as report to the local authorities with your current address etc. You could be married and living in China for decades and this is the best you will get. With this visa you cannot move about freely or work, period. you’re a tourist, exactly the same status as someone entering China for the very first time. Absolutely ridiculous.

Whats worse, If you’re thinking about moving back to the states with your spouse, its even more difficult. You wont be issued a tourist visa, because you’re married and they automatically assume your spouse will be immigrating. You’ll need to verify substantial reasons on why your spouse will be returning to China (money, property, employment being just a few). Getting an immigrant visa is the epitome of “hoop jumping”.. it will cost you a hefty sum, in both money and time (if at all possible!). If you’ve been living in China for several years, good luck with that! You’ll need to sponsor/prove financial income and stability ($25k+/yr) and have an established residence in the USA for your spouse. Basically, unless you have a sizeable US bank account and own property in the states, you’ll first need to move back to the states, work for at least a year, establish residency and await the visa approval while your spouse is alone in China. If youre a retiree on a fixed income, might as well fuhgeddaboudit. Prepare yourselves for the absurdity that is the US embassy interview process…

February 2, 2020 at 3:05 pm

i applied for chinese visa and denied because i’m african, Nigerian to be specific…. what do i do now?

June 15, 2020 at 10:54 pm

Dear Josh, my family and I are living currently in Shanghai. My wife has a double passport (ITA+ARG) is on a dependent visa (on the ITA passport) but has been offered a job for the next academic year. She already had obtained the working permit but had to use the arg passport to prove her mother language is spanish. Normally she would have to go to Hong Kong (where we have right of abode) within 3 months and obtain a Z visa to come back to Shanghai, but nowadays because of covid that is not feasible. Is there any way she can change her visa while staying in shanghai?

June 18, 2020 at 12:06 am

Hi Enrico, you’re facing the same problem that many of us expats are facing…and there’s no clear answer. Each government is handling it differently and these policies seem to be changing every month (especially as new Covid outbreaks are happening in Beijing).

Are you planning to travel or move to China soon?

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To   further  facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, starting from January 1, 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the U nited States  will simplify application documents   required for tourist  visa   (L-visa) . Tourist visa applicant s   within  the U nited States  will no longer be required to submit round-trip air ticket   booking record , proof of hotel reservation , itinerary or invitation letter.   Since visa applications are processed on a case-by-case basis, please refer to the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the U nited States for specifics.

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8 Tips for Filling Out Chinese Visa Application Form

1. the application form must be filled out online..

Applicants need to fill out the application form on China Online Visa Application System , and then print it out. Double-sided printouts will not be accepted. Note that the applicants must sign it. Remember to select the right country and city where Chinese Embassies, Consulates, or China Visa Application Centers (CVASC) which hold consular jurisdiction over your residence.   

2. Major Purpose of Visit

Section 2.1A Types of visa and major purpose of your visit to China: Select the most suitable item and make sure it matches with your application documents. If your travel is for multiple purposes, just choose one major purpose.  

3. Duration of Stay

Section 2.2B Maximum duration of longest stay (days): For L, M, and F visas, the duration of stay is normally 30-60 days. For S2 and Q2 visa, it ranges from 30 to 120 days. Z, X, Q1, and S1 visas may allow a longer stay duration. Fill in the box according to your actual need.  

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Section 2.2C Intended number of entries: Most applicants only need one entry valid for 3 months. Note that all Z, X1, S1, and Q1 visas are only issued as single entry. If you apply for an L, F, M, X2, S2, or Q2 visa, you may choose single-entry, double-entry, or multiple entries. Choose the one that best meets your needs. The final decision is left to the consular officer's discretion. Usually, the more entries, the higher the visa fee.  

5. Current Occupation

Section 3.1A Current Occupation & Section 3.3 Work experience: If you choose "Self-employed", do not leave Section 3.3 blank. You need to complete this section with the name of your business and specify the nature of it. If you are unemployed at present, provide information on your previous employer. If you are a housewife, you can fill in the box in Section 3.3 with None (Housewife).  

6. Intended Date of Arrival in China

Section 6.1A Intended date of arrival: Make sure that the date is not earlier than the date you are likely to receive the visa. If your flight itinerary will be submitted as the application document, ensure the date is consistent with it.  

7. Destinations

Section 6.1J, 6.1K, 6.1M, 6.1L, 6.1N: In this section, do not mention travel to Tibet and Xinjiang although you may go there. If you apply for a tourist visa , you need to provide addresses of hotels including provinces, cities, and streets. For this reason, you are advised to book refundable hotel rooms in advance. After you get the visa, it’s fine to change your itinerary and cancel the bookings.  

8. Other Information

In section 8 which acts as background check, you need to answer truthfully the questions regarding  overstaying , China visa rejection history, criminal records, diseases, etc. Honesty is important in answering these questions; otherwise you may encounter problems in the application process.

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China Is Making It Easier for Americans to Visit — Here’s How

Going forward, China will no longer require travelers to show proof of a round-trip air ticket or proof of a hotel reservation.

Xuanyu Han/Getty Images

China will make it easier for American tourists to visit, simplifying the visa process for 2024.

Going forward, the country will no longer require travelers from the United States to submit proof of a round-trip air ticket, proof of a hotel reservation, proof of their itinerary, or an invitation letter to apply for a tourist visa, according to the Chinese Embassy in the United States . The new rules went into effect on Jan. 1. 

“To further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States… the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the United States will simplify application documents required for [a] tourist visa (L-visa),” the embassy wrote in a statement.

The embassy added: “visa applications are processed on a case-by-case basis.”

Travelers from the U.S. are still required to obtain a visa to visit China, but may stay visa-free for as long as six days if they are transiting through the country, according to the government . The duration of the visa-free period and specific rules vary by port of entry.

The simplified process comes weeks after China dropped visa requirements for visitors from six countries, according to the National Immigration Administration : France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Spain. China has similarly expanded its visa-free transit policy to cover 54 countries. 

China boasted one of the strictest COVID-19 border policies in the world, only reopening to tourism in March last year and finally dropping mandatory COVID-19 testing for incoming travelers in August. However, the country has struggled to match pre-pandemic international flight levels, Reuters reported , and is currently at only 60 percent of 2019 levels.

Despite being easier to visit, the U.S. Department of State warns travelers to “reconsider travel” to mainland China “due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions.” The State Department classifies Hong Kong under a lesser warning, telling Americans to “exercise increased caution” there.

Related Articles

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, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and Poland, 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$100 per person  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 .

Tailor-Making a Private China Tour

China Highlights is your China tour tailor-making expert. See the recommended tours below for inspiration or check out our ideas and suggestions on How to Plan Your China Tour .

• 8-Day Shanghai - Xian - Beijing Private Tour - China's Ancient and Modern Collision
• 13-Day Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Hangzhou - Suzhou – Shanghai Private Tour - Riches of China
• 13-Day Private Tour: Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai A Close Encounter with Pandas - China Essence and Panda Tour

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The Visa Bulletin

Visa Statistics

Laws & Regulations

Accepting, Serving in, or Performing Duties of a Position with the Government of a Foreign State - Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(4)

Loss of U.S. Nationality and Service in the Armed Forces of a Foreign State - Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(3)

Visa Bulletin For October 2024

Number 94 Volume X Washington, D.C

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A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS

This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during October  for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at  www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo , individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS must use the “Final Action Dates” charts below for determining when they can file such applications. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the “Dates for Filing Visa Applications” charts in this Bulletin. 

1.  Procedures for determining dates. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by September 3rd . If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. If it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category “unavailable”, and no further requests for numbers would be honored.

2.  The fiscal year 2025 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000.  The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000.  Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620.  The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3.  INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa issuances will exceed the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas:  CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 

4.  Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: 

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First : ( F1 ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second : Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents:  114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. ( F2A ) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents:  77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. ( F2B ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents:  23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third : ( F3 ) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth : ( F4 ) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens:  65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

A.   FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)

For October, F2A numbers  EXEMPT from per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates  earlier  than 08MAR21. F2A numbers  SUBJECT to per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO , with priority dates beginning 08MAR21 and earlier than 22NOV21. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.

B.  DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

5.  Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: 

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First :  Priority Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second :  Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third :  Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth :  Certain Special Immigrants:  7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth :  Employment Creation:  7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.

A.  FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. For Fiscal Year 2025 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150.

B.  DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

B .   DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER

Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years.  The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. Visa numbers made available to NACARA applicants in FY 2024 will result in reduction of the DV-2025 annual limit to approximately 54,850.  Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 amended the NACARA’s provisions on the DV program such that the number of visas made available under the NDAA each fiscal year will be deducted from the 55,000 DVs annually allocated.  These amendments will further reduce the DV-2025 annual limit to approximately 51,350.  DVs are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. 

For October , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2025 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2025 program ends as of September 30, 2025. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2025 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2025 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2025. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2025 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.

C.   THE DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN NOVEMBER

For November , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2025 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

D.   SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY

H.R. 2882, signed on March 23, 2024, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until September 30, 2024.  No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight September 29, 2024.  Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until September 29, 2024, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight September 29, 2024.

The SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for October.  In the event there is legislative action extending the category, it is likely it will become available effective immediately. If extended, the category will be subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.

E.   U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA.  This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs.  Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case.

F.   FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

Department of State Publication 9514

CA/VO: September 3, 2024

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