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China visa policy
iVisa
4 min read
Updated on Jan 23, 2024

Visa Policy for China

As soon as you decide to visit China, you must review the China visa policy for all the details of the entry requirements you must fulfill. Some factors that will determine whether you need a visa for China are your nationality, the purpose of your trip, or how long you would like to stay there.

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Although Hong Kong and Macau belong to China, these territories have their own rules in terms of immigration. Therefore, you will need to check their own visa policies as they differ from the China visa policy.

The China visa policy states some visa-exempt countries that can enter China for a specific period of time. This will depend on the nationality. Still, you would likely need to sign up with the Public Security Bureau (BSB) if you will stay in China for more than 24 hours.

On the other hand, you have the group of countries that need to apply for a visa to enter China. In this case, you have nationalities that can obtain a Group eVisa and a Business eVisa on Arrival. In both cases, the processes are online, which means you only need to connect to the internet, and you will be ready to enter China without any issues.

For the rest of the world, you will need to apply through a Chinese Embassy or Consulate to acquire a visa. You need to gather the required documents and make an appointment before starting the procedure.

Continue checking more details about the China visa policy.

Tourist Visa Policy for China

The China visa policy outlines different alternatives for travelers who would like to visit China for tourism reasons. Some nationalities are granted a short visa-free tourist stay. In this case, you only need to have a valid passport when traveling. Chinese Immigration will usually provide 15 to 90 days of stay in the country.

Besides, you can opt for the Group eVisa as the process is 100% online. This type of visa is only available for a group of at least 2 people. Both travelers need to visit China together, and the visa will be issued for both. The visa is available for a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days in China. As soon as the Chinese Embassy issues the Group eVisa, you only have 15 days to enter China.

If your nationality isn’t eligible for these options, you need to apply for a visa through a Chinese Embassy or Consulate. In other words, you need to collect the mandatory documentation and request an appointment. We recommend starting the process as soon as you decide to travel to China, as processing times could take long periods.

Group eVisa for China

If your country is eligible for the Group eVisa for China, you’re lucky! As mentioned, the procedure is completely digital. You only need to trust an online portal to do all the work for you, and you will be ready to visit China. You need to have the following requirements:

  • Scanned details of your passport. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after arrival in China.
  • Applicant photo.
  • Flight tickets.
  • Hotel bookings.

Remember that the Group eVisa is valid for a maximum stay of 30 days in China and allows a single entry. Besides, you must apply for this visa at least 20 days before the first day of your trip. The visa is only available if you obtain it as a group of a minimum of two people. These two people must enter and leave China through the same ports of entry and have the same itinerary while in the country.

According to the China visa policy, you only need to complete an application form with your details and let the online platform do the job for you. You will receive the approved visa at your doorstep.

The countries that can apply for the Group eVisa are:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Luxembourg
  • Norway
  • New Zealand
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • United States
  • South Korea
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland

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Other Visa Information for China

The China visa policy also mentions the Business eVisa on Arrival. The good news is that this type of visa is 100% online. As the name says, the visa is available for business purposes, and it allows a maximum stay of 15 days in the country and a single entry.

The process is similar to the Group eVisa, as you only need to fill out an online form with personal details and attach the required documents. You need to present the applicant photo, airline confirmation, details of your accommodation, a scan of all the pages in your passport, and an invitation letter. For the hotel reservation, you need to stay at least one night in Shanghai, Jiang Su, or Zhe Jiang province.

Remember that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months and have one blank page for stamping. Shanghai is the only point of entry for this visa, and you need to use your visa a maximum of 30 days after the issued date.

Currently, 23 nationalities can access the Business eVisa on Arrival. You will need to check whether your nationality is part of this exclusive group of countries. Even if you have an approved visa for China, immigration authorities could deny your entry. There could be reasons for national interest or security. For this reason, you should have hard copies of your visas and all your paperwork when entering China.

Keep checking the China visa policy to confirm what other alternatives you have to travel to China.

Disclaimer
  • iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://en.nia.gov.cn/

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