Apply for your China visa online

It depends on your passport.

• Citizens of dozens of countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia and most of Europe, can currently visit visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Most other travelers need an L visa for tourism or an M visa for business, from a Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa application center. iVisa does not currently provide this service.

Some travelers may qualify for visa-free transit for up to 240 hours at selected ports. This applies only if you hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region; entering on the transit policy without one is treated as illegal entry. Eligible nationalities may also visit Hainan Province without a visa for up to 30 days.

Regardless of whether you need a visa, you must complete the China Arrival Card. iVisa can prepare and file this form for you.

You can start your application online, but you can't complete it online. The usual steps for a tourist (L) or business (M) visa are:

• Fill in the online application form and upload your photo and documents
• Book an appointment at a Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa application center
• Hand in your passport and pay the visa fee
• Collect your passport with the visa inside

iVisa does not currently process Chinese visa applications. We can prepare and file your China Arrival Card, which you need whether or not you have a visa.

No. China doesn't offer an eVisa for tourists. A Chinese visa is a sticker placed in your passport, even when you fill in the application form online.

The China Arrival Card is a separate online form, not a visa. You need it to enter China whether you have a visa or are visiting visa-free, and iVisa can prepare and file it for you.

Yes. Even if your nationality allows for visa-free entry, the China Arrival Card is mandatory for almost all foreign visitors. Even those eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit must complete an arrival registration.

You can also fill in the card for free at the border, by QR code, at a self-service kiosk, or on paper. iVisa's service fee covers preparing and checking your card before you travel, so it's ready when you land.

According to the NIA, you do not need to fill this out if you are:

• A holder of a Permanent Resident ID Card (Green Card)
• In 24-hour direct transit (and not leaving the airport/restricted area)
• Entering through the E-channel (automated gates for certain residents/frequent travelers)
• A member of a tour group with a group visa

The Arrival Card itself is not a stay permit; it is a declaration. Your allowed duration of stay is determined by the type of visa you hold or the specific visa-free policy applied to your nationality at the border.

Visa-free visitors can usually stay up to 30 days, and tourist visas commonly allow 30 to 90 days per entry.

You can complete the card within 72 hours before your arrival in China. With iVisa, you can submit your information earlier, and we will time the submission perfectly to ensure your declaration is valid and active the moment you touch down.

After processing, you will receive an email confirmation. Depending on the specific port of entry requirements, you may need to show a QR code on your phone or a printed confirmation.

When you arrive at the immigration counter, the officer will verify this against your passport and visa. You can also find your Arrival Card confirmation or QR code in your iVisa dashboard if applied through us.

No. The card is for single entry only. A new registration must be submitted every time you enter mainland China, even if you are returning from Hong Kong or Macau.