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China
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How to Apply: Tourist Visa
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Easy application
Complete our user-friendly online application in just 20 minutes, or feel free to take breaks and return at your convenience.
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Helpful support
Move closer to an approved visa with our team of iVisa Experts, who not only review your answers but also provide you with the necessary tools to prepare.
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Correct documentation
Make use of our feedback and free templates to confidently submit accurate information, and experience a surprisingly stress-free process!
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Get your visa
Once government-approved, your visa will be ready for collection, marking the start of your travels.
How to Apply: Embassy Registration
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Fill Out Online Application
Complete our easy online application and pay with credit card or PayPal
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Travel Safely
Your embassy will assist you if an emergency (eg. Natural disasters, civil unrest, etc) occur
Why Register with the Embassy
Travel Registration is a service provided by the government. This service allows you to record information about your
upcoming trip abroad to the Department of State so it can be used to assist you in case of an emergency. People residing abroad can also get routine
information from their nearest embassy or consulate if registered.
Required Information to Apply
Once You Have Registered With Your Embassy Or Consulate, You Will Need To Update Your Data If:
- your contact details change,
- your civil status changes,
- you are going back to your home country.
Learn More: Tourist Visa
What you need to know
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The China Tourist Visa is a sticker visa required for visits to China for tourism only.
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The application process involves submitting your application to the nearest Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa application center.
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You’ll need a valid passport, a recent photo, and a completed application form to apply. Children need additional documents.
Apply today for the China Tourist Visa with us
Last updated: May 2024
If you’re planning a trip to China, it’s important to know about the visa requirements.
We’re here to help you understand the China Tourist Visa, including who is eligible and how to apply for it. Let’s get started on your journey to this East Asian destination.
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What is the China Tourist Visa?
The China Tourist Visa, also known as the L Visa, is a travel document for travelers intending to visit mainland China as tourists. To get this visa, you first have to complete the visa application form online and then make an appointment to submit your application to the nearest Chinese embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Service Center (CVASC).
What can you do with the China Tourist Visa?
- Travel to the country for tourism purposes only, such as visiting cultural sites.
What can you not do with the China Tourist Visa?
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Visit family or friends who are permanent residents in China.
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Conduct business or trade activities.
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Engage in any form of employment or paid work.
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Enroll in a Chinese educational institution for study purposes.
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Stay indefinitely in China.
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Transit through the country.
Who requires the China Tourist Visa?
Most nationalities, including the USA, Canada, Brazil, and Australia, need to apply for a China tourist visa. To find out if you’re eligible for one, select the nationality of your passport at the top of this page and put your destination as China.
Before you apply for a China Tourist Visa, make sure you meet the following requirements:
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You must plan to travel on a passport from an eligible country.
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You're financially capable of taking care of all of your expenses while in China.
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You have evidence of strong ties to your home country.
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You must have genuine intentions to visit China as a tourist.
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You don’t have a criminal record.
Visa-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for a China Tourist Visa?
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Nationals from several countries—including citizens of Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, France, and Japan—can travel to China without a visa under specific conditions.
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Citizens with a valid Chinese Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Card or Residence Permit for Foreigners.
For up-to-date information about visa exemptions for China, you can visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or contact the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
Do children also require a China Tourist Visa?
Yes, children also require the China Tourist Visa. All eligible foreign nationals, regardless of age, planning to visit China will need to apply for a visa before their arrival. This includes minors traveling with their parents or legal guardians.
China Tourist Visa validity: How long can I stay in China?
The China Tourist Visa typically allows a stay of up to 30 days per entry. It can be issued as a single-entry visa valid for 3 months, a double-entry visa for 3 to 6 months, or a multiple-entry visa for 6 months to 10 years, depending on your nationality and the specific assessment of each application.
US citizens, for instance, can obtain a 10-year multiple-entry visa, and each stay cannot be more than 60 days.
Can I extend my China Tourist Visa?
Yes, you can extend your China Tourist Visa. You will need to apply for an extension at a local Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit and Entry Administration office in China. This should be done at least 7 days before your current visa expires.
The extension usually matches the original validity period granted, meaning if you have a 30-day visa, you can only extend for another 30 days.
China Tourist Visa required documents
To get a China Tourist Visa, the following documents are typically required from visa applicants:
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A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of arrival in China with two or more blank pages.
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A recent, passport-size photo taken according to the guidelines laid out by the Chinese government.
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A completed visa application form.
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Proof of legal stay or residence status if you’re not applying from your home country.
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Copy of passport bio-data page and previous Chinese visas
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Round-trip air tickets, travel itinerary and proof of hotel reservations, or an invitation from a relevant entity like a Chinese travel agency or an individual residing in China.
You may need to provide additional supporting documents depending on your nationality and the specific requirements of the embassy/consulate where you apply. For example, Kyrgz applicants need an invitation letter from a travel agent issued by the Minister of Tourism and Culture.
For minors applying for a China Tourist Visa, additional documents are required:
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Original birth certificate and a copy.
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A declaration of consent signed by the non-traveling parent(s), which must be authenticated based on the specific requirements of the applicant’s country.
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Copies of passports or photo IDs for both parents. The name on the ID must match the parent’s name on the child’s birth certificate (or provide documentation proving the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order).
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll need to wait for the Chinese government to process it and then collect your passport as instructed. If your application is successful, the visa will be affixed to the passport.
China Tourist Visa costs and processing times
When you apply for the China Tourist Visa through our service, we offer three different processing times to suit your travel needs:
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Standard Processing: Our most affordable option. Perfect for travelers who are applying well in advance of their journey.
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Rush Processing: This is designed for travelers who have a limited time to apply for their visas and need it faster than the Standard option.
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Super Rush Processing: For those who need their visas as fast as possible and are willing to pay for a quick turnaround time.
Each processing time has a separate fee that is not inclusive of the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality and where you are applying. To find out the visa fee for your country, enter the nationality of the passport you’ll be traveling with at the top of this page.
Benefits of applying for a China Tourist Visa with us
Wondering why you should apply with us? Here’s a quick breakdown of the benefits you can expect.
Do you have more questions about the China Tourist Visa?
If you want to learn more about the China Tourist Visa or have questions about the application process, we’re here to help.
Our dedicated online team of customer service agents is available via online chat, or you can speak with them via WhatsApp.
Ask iVisa
Have a visa question? we'll provide the answer.
Garry J
USASeptember 5 2024
I’m going to Beijing and possibly extending my trip to Shanghai and Chengdu. The China tourist visa process is starting to feel a bit overwhelming. Do I need to have all my hotels and internal travel booked in advance to show when I apply for the visa, or is having just my round-trip tickets enough? Because I don’t want to plan too far ahead just in case my plans change!
iVisa
September 9 2024
For your upcoming trip to China, you don’t need to have all your hotels and internal travel booked in advance. That’s because it’s no longer mandatory for US passport holders to provide details like a round-trip ticket or hotel reservation when applying for a China tourist visa. To apply for a China Tourist Visa from the US, you’ll need:
- a passport that’s valid for more than 6 months beyond your intended departure date with at least 2 blank visa pages
- a photocopy of the bio-date page of your passport
- a completed visa application form
- a scanned copy of any previous Chinese visas or residence permits
- proof of residence in the US (e.g. driver’s license, utility bill, bank bill)
- a completed Where You Stay Form as proof that you are currently in the US.
Sarah F
AustraliaSeptember 14 2024
My wife and I had plans to travel to China in March 2020 and I even got a 10-year L visa, which expires in 2029. But because of the pandemic we couldn’t travel. Fast forward to now, my company wants to send me to our office in Guangzhou for a week of training sessions. Given China's strict visa policies, I'm wondering if I can use my current L visa for this short business trip, or do I need to apply for an M visa specifically for business purposes? Is it even possible to have both an L and M visa?
iVisa
September 16 2024
Your existing 10-year L visa, obtained for tourism, technically allows for multiple entries into China for tourism-related activities and short business visits that don't involve formal employment in China. However, if your company's training involves more formal engagements or longer stays, it might be safer to consult with the nearest Chinese consulate or consider obtaining an M visa, which is specifically designed for business-related visits. It's possible to hold both an L and an M visa if the purposes of your visits differ significantly.
Sue W
CanadaSeptember 24 2024
I’m from Toronto and planning an extended trip to China, hoping to visit Shanghai, Beijing, and maybe Chengdu. With my job now fully remote, I’m thinking about working from there while I travel. My question is: can I work remotely for my Canadian company while I'm on a tourist visa in China, or is that going to violate the visa conditions?
iVisa
September 26 2024
Working remotely on a tourist visa in China for your Canadian company technically violates the conditions of the L visa, which is intended for tourism, visiting relatives, or non-commercial activities. China's regulations strictly separate tourist activities from employment; thus, engaging in work—even remotely—might expose you to legal risks. If you plan to work while in China, you should consider applying for an appropriate visa that explicitly allows employment or business activities.
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When should I apply for the Chinese Tourist Visa?
If you want to apply for a China Tourist Visa, our recommendation is to do it 1 month in advance.
How long does it take to apply for the China Tourist Visa?
If you apply with the iVisa platform that protects all your data and information, applying will take you less than 15 minutes. We will also ensure that your application is 100% government-compliant so that you can avoid rejections and waste time and money.
Can I apply for free?
No, to apply for the China Tourist Visa, there is a fee that may vary depending on the country you are in.
How long is the China Tourist Visa valid?
The validity period depends on the type of visa you select. You can choose from single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visas, with validity from 3 months to 10 years, depending on the option you choose.
Do I need a transit visa?
A citizen who is transiting through China by air is exempted from a visa if stays only in the airport for no more than 24 hours and has a valid connecting ticket with confirmed seating on an international flight.
Which nationalities don’t have to apply for the China Tourist Visa?
If you are a citizen of any of these countries, you don’t need to apply for a China Tourist Visa:
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Japan
Take into account that if you are travelling by ship and you are from any of the countries mentioned above, you can only stay in China for 15 days.
- 30 days visa-free:
| Bahamas | Dominica | Grenada | Oman | Serbia | United Arab Emirates | | Barbados | Ecuador | Maldives | Qatar | Seychelles | | | Belarus | Fiji | Mongolia | Suriname | Tonga |
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60 days visa-free: Mauritius
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90 days: Albania Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina San Marino.
How do processing times work?
At iVisa, we understand that your time is valuable, and we strive to provide you with the fastest service possible. Our processing times are estimated based on the average duration it takes governments to process visa applications. These estimated times begin from the moment we receive all the correct information for your application until you receive your visa. While we work diligently to expedite the process, it’s important to note that we are reliant on the processing times set by the government authorities.
How can I track the status of my application for the China Tourist Visa?
There are two ways to track the status of your China Tourist Visa application:
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Through iVisa (if you’ve applied through our platform or app): Log in to your iVisa account and check your orders in your account profile. Click on the green icon next to your order for more detailed information and next steps.
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Through the official government application portal: You can track the status of your application through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. All you need to enter is your application number and passport number.
I made a mistake on my application for the China Tourist Visa. Can I fix it? If you've already submitted your application to us and later realize one of your answers isn’t correct, contact our support team as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to correct any mistakes, but we can’t guarantee any fixes after submission. We always recommend double-checking all information before submitting your application to avoid issues.
I’m traveling to China soon. What if there are delays with my application? If we encounter delays, we’ll email you as soon as possible. In rare instances, delays can occur due to government processes or workload. To avoid issues, we recommend applying for your visa as early as possible.
Can we apply for a China Tourist Visa as a family?
Yes. Groups of 5 or more visitors traveling to China for tourist purposes, who enter and exit the country at the same time, may be eligible for a Group Visa. However, this visa is only available for specific countries.
Can I reapply if my visa application is denied?
Yes. If your China Tourist Visa application is denied, you can reapply with more details to update your application. We recommend that you use a professional service like iVisa, to minimize the chances of errors in your application.
Where can I read more?
- How to apply for a China Tourist Visa as a US citizen
- How to get a China Tourist Visa as a Moroccan citizen
- Do South Africans need a visa for China?
- China visas for Nigerians: A comprehensive guide
- China Tourist Visa for New Zealand citizens: A complete guide
- Complete guide to the China Business M visa rules
- China Tourist Visa for Canadian citizens: Complete guide
- China visa for Jamaican citizens: Requirements and application process
- How to get a China Tourist Visa as a Spanish citizen
- China Tourist Visa for Thai Citizens: How to apply
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