China Visa and China Tourist Visa Questions and Answers
Questions about your China visa?
Looking for useful China tourist visa information without the complicated jargon? Access the details you need from the guide right here and be travel ready for your adventure in China!
Start exploring before you depart
A China visa application can seem a little complicated if you’re unfamiliar with the process. That’s why we aim to provide just about everything a western traveler needs to know about the details and logistics of preparing a China tourist visa application, China visas for Hong Kong, and Tibet Travel Permits.
Every day we’re helping customers just like you make plans for their upcoming travels - and we can help you too. In this section of our Travel Guide, get the information you need to keep your travel preparations on track.
Keep your China tourist visa application simple
Although there are some exceptions to visa requirements for travel in China, most international travelers will find a China tourist visa is necessary, unless they intend limiting in-country travel to a single destination. The other exceptions are where a traveler’s country of origin has a special arrangement in place with China.
Visa-free travel is possible for western travelers - and very popular too. If your air ticket provides for travel to a third country after your time in China, then you can skip the queue on a China visa application.
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However, if your plans include a multi-city tour around the country or even a short tour to several destinations, you will need a China tourist visa, and it’s wise to get help to ensure your application right the first time around. If you don’t, you may find yourself frustrated and confused at your local China embassy or China Visa Application Service Centre when you realize you haven’t quite ticked all the necessary boxes.
Whether you’re planning a countrywide adventure or a single city visit, get the drum here in our travel guide. We’ve got you covered for the many unexplored possibilities of travel in China.
Before heading to China, work through this China tourist visa checklist to be sure you have everything covered.
If you are in transit for 24, 72, or 144 hours, and at one of the designated international airports and ports in China (refer below for more on this), you may qualify for visa free travel. Referred to as the China Transit Visa or China Tourist Visa, foreign travelers from certain countries can take advantage of the convenience of this visa, which can be obtained on arrival. Be aware, you must have an air ticket to a third destination with a confirmed date of flight and seat, and you must not leave the port of entry. The availability of Transit visas in ports of entry is dependent upon the number of hours of your transit. For example, 24 hour Transit Visas are available in most ports, however 72 or 144 hour Transit Visas are only available in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Guangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi’an, Xiamen, Wuhan, Harbin, Qingdao, Changsha, and some specified regions.
If your travels in China extend beyond one of the single destinations listed above, you will require a visa.
There are numerous visas available for travelers into China, however they fall into four main categories: diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa, ordinary visa. If you are traveling as a tourist, you will need an ordinary visa (L). You can learn more about the details of specific visa types on the Visa for China page of the China embassy in your country.
China Embassy in USA | http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/ |
China Embassy in United Kingdom | http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/ |
China Embassy in Australia | http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/ |
China Visa Application Center | https://www.visaforchina.org/ |
A China visa application can seem like a lot of paperwork, so take care to assemble everything you need in advance of submitting your application. Here are just a few things you’ll need for your application:
- An original passport with 6 months validity and at least two blank visa pages
- A copy of the passport’s data page and the photo page (if it is separate).
- A completed Visa Application Form with genuine and accurate information about the applicant.
- One color passport-size photo (48mm x 33mm, taken within 6 months, full face, front view against a light background).
- Supporting documents, as required.
- Specific to a China Tourist Visa application is the provision of copies of all your travel itinerary documents, including air tickets and hotel reservations. An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity (for example, a travel agency) or individual in China is also required.
If you think clarification on the details might be helpful, you’re right, it will be! Questions regarding the specifics of a China visa application should be directed to your local Chinese embassy or China Visa Application Center.
To make the application itself, you will need to make your submission at a Chinese Embassy or a Chinese Consulate-General in the USA, or at a China Visa Application Service Centre (only for an ordinary visa application) in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries. Documents can be submitted by post or in person, however, it’s wise to check with relevant China visa issuing authorities in your country for the most up to date information. We strongly recommend you confirm with the China Embassy or Consulate in your country as to whether they accept applications via post or in person.
Visa fees can be paid via credit card (Visa, MasterCard), money order, cashier’s or company’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
Remember to allow plenty of time for your visa application. It is wise to allow between 30 and 45 days in advance of your travel date. In the event you need to prepare additional information, this will allow sufficient time to address the requirements.
Visa processing usually takes approximately three to five working days. Once your visa is processed, you will be notified. You will then need to visit the China Visa Application Service Centre (in the UK, Australia or other countries) to collect your passport with the visa. A mail out service may be available, however you will need to confirm this at the time of submission.
China Visa Articles
China visa articles, China visa information, and more. Find it all here in our detailed posts about how to navigate the occasionally challenging - but ultimately satisfying - process to secure your China visa, regardless of how long you plan to travel. As with international travel anywhere, it’s important to prepare well in advance before departure. Travel to China does require a visa for most international visitors, and in certain regions, such as Tibet and Hong Kong, additional visas or permits are required if you are touring through other parts of the country. You’ll also find answers to these and many other frequently asked China visa questions. And if by some chance, you don’t discover the exact information you need, get in touch. Our team is here to help.
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Tours in China
Travelers joining us for multi-destination adventures can explore our growing selection of China visa tours, safe in the knowledge we are here to help at every step of your journey, including in the planning stages prior to departure. We’ll help answer questions like whether you need a China visa, tours that require a visa or permit, and where you can travel with which visa, as requirements vary in different regions in China. Let’s help you explore with peace of mind.
![11 Days Beauty of China](https://www.chinatours.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Beauty-of-China.jpg)
11 Days Beauty of China
11 Days Beauty of China
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14 Days Best of China plus Yangtze
14 Days Best of China plus Yangtze
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16 Days China Highlights with Yangtze and Pandas
16 Days China Highlights with Yangtze and Pandas
Testimonials
- WingF wrote a review 23 June 2024
Perfect China TripThe small group tour of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai organised by China Tours was a great way to see these 3 fantastic cities of China. Each of the local guides Nancy (Beijing), Elysha (Xi’an) and Lucy (Shanghai) were very friendly, knowledgeable and interesting and had a passion for their jobs. They were all super helpful answering any questions and offering advice and tips for navigating each city in our own free time, including recommendations for places to eat and other attractions to see not covered by the tour. All the main attractions and sites were visited with plenty of time spent at each. The main highlights for me were the Forbidden City and Great Wall (Nancy took us to a great part of the wall that was not overcrowded) in Beijing and the Terracotta Army in Xi’an (including meeting the farmer who made the discovery in the 1970’s). It was not a rushed tour and was also flexible. In Xi’an because of the weather the itinerary order was changed to suit the group. Being a small escorted tour meant that you were not just one of many in the usual large group tours which made it more personal and enjoyable. A special mention for Nancy and Elysha who made suggestions, with no hidden agenda, in Beijing and Xi’an respectively to see live shows as add-ons which turned out to be unexpected delights. Martha of China Tours was very easy to deal with and was patient with all my requests and queries when booking the tour. Overall I can highly recommend China Tours if you plan to visit China and wish to arrange a tour. From start to finish everyone was extremely helpful and communicated in very good English. - TravelerToo wrote a review 20 June 2024
Fantastic Tour Itinerary, Guide, and HotelsI can’t imagine a better way to see and experience Taiwan than this 9-day tour. Starting in Taipei and driving counterclockwise we went from the top to the farthest southern tip of the country and back. Hotels were much nicer than expected as were all of the locals we met along the way. As most travelers know, a few words in the local language are much appreciated so set your Google translate app to Traditional Chinese and say hello! Our tour leader Cathy was funny, smiley, organized, and felt like my 2nd mother as she constantly made sure I was all right and happy. The trip itinerary was varied and extensive (maybe a few too many temples but that’s my problem). Perhaps the most impressive was the coordination between our tour leader and the travel company when an issue arose as when an indigenous cultural site unexpectedly closed. Cathy arranged for us to attend a special performance of another group which turned out to be one of the many highlights of the tour. This tour was excellent, a great introduction to an interesting country, a great value for the price. I highly recommend it. Oh, and try to get Cathy Lin as your guide; you won’t regret it. - Pioneer247973 wrote a review 19 June 2024
Amazing ExperienceOur 10 day tour with China Tours was an absolutely great experience. The hotels and transportation arrangements were great. We went to five cities, Beijing, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai. In each of those cities we had outstanding English speaking tour guides that were very knowledgeable and helpful. The tours were just the right amount of time to allow us spend some time on our own exploring each city. Overall, the trip was a great experience and we would highly recommend China Tours. - chithra sashi wrote a review 19 June 2024
Fabulous group tourAs I come to an end to my amazing and memorable 10day tour to this beautiful country. I have but only praise for this fabulous tour operator. All the ladies, Lora, Nancy, elysha, lucky were just brilliant and superb at their jobs from been super informative to been so punctual, to experiencing local culture and recommend spots to try out local Cuisines. We were a group of 3 in the no shopping stop tour. It was my first experience in a group and I got some wonderful friends for a lifetime. Everything so well taken care of by lord always available and very reliable. I would recommend Nancy for Beijing she is an excellent and wonderful guide suggesting amazing things to do in Beijing and experiencing the great wall. Elysha for xian experiencing the amazing terracotta warrior and rich culture. Lucky was so informative about the modern and ancient history of shanghai. Excellent company and oustanding customer service. - Snjezana Z wrote a review 11 June 2024
Amazing tripWe visited city walls of Xi'an, Terracotta warriors museum, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter organised by China Tours. The guide was so knowledgable with so many interesting informations from history and nowadays life in China for complete experience. We enjoyed every minute of our trip. - Mark M wrote a review 11 June 2024
We did a 22 day tour over the main highlights of China including Tibet.China Tours held our hand every step of the way. There were no problems that were not solved. I can’t say enough about how much fun we had and how great the many tour guides were. Highly recommend using China tours for those interested. Note we are mid 60’s USA citizens.