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.
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Testimonials
- ctsim wrote a review 12 January 2024SingaporeExcellent private tour in Lijiang, Dali and KunmingI booked a private tour for my party of 9 friends to tour Lijiang, Dali and Kunming. Martha was excellent in her services to co-ordinate on our tours and provided us with excellent tour guides, all bilingual in English and Mandarin. Our mini coaches were clean, comfortable with very good drivers driving us safely to all places of interests. It was an enjoyable and memorable tour and all of us enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend Martha of China Tours to arrange your tour in China!
- Siri_Yong wrote a review 25 December 2023Bangkok, ThailandXian private tourWe went to Xian, Long Men and Yuntaishan on November 2023 with China Tours. The places visited was fantastic. Matha from China Tours arranged everything for us just perfect for our group of 8 people. In particularly, food were over expectation - lunches and dinners were a lot! Period. Last but not least, the guide, as we requested from Matha to have a Thai speaking guide through our trip, Mr. Ling is excellent, informative and helpful. Thank you to Matha, for her arrangement. I will surely use your company service again in my next trip to China.
- S SAXENA wrote a review 30 November 2023LondonChina Tours for Thailand, Cambodia and VietnamWe did Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam tour organised by China Tours. We are very happy with China tour company. All our hotels accommodation was excellent. all our Guilds in all three countries were very good and speak very good English. Our transport arrangements during tour and airport pickup and drop off was in time for our flights. I did the tour of South Korea and China with China Tours, This November 2023 tour was based on my good experience with China tours in the past
- Nicababy Lin wrote a review 12 November 2023Jacksonville, Florida5 days 4 nights tour at Beijing and Xi’an with ChinatoursI did a 5 days 4 nights solo private tour trip with “Chinatours.com” to Beijing and Xi’an. I am really satisfied with the itinerary and flexibility of how “Chinatours” allows me to add and customize my trip. A little hiccup, when I arrived at Xi’An high speed rail station from Beijing, my tour guide, Helen when to a different station to wait for me as they have two different rail station. Despite this, I felt her sincerity to welcome me in Xi’an whilst she kept apologizing. Upon arriving at the hotel, guess what? The hotel gave me a free upgrade to a Suite. A whole Suite by myself!Awesome!Wish I had more time to stay in the hotel room though but my itinerary was packed. I arrived pretty late that night. Regardless, the room was decorated to give this ancient China historical ambience. It’s huge and clean. Hotel name is Grand Mecure on Renminbi Square. Breakfast included. Breakfast was alright, I had better breakfast choices in Beijing. Next morning, Helen (tour guide) arrived early to the hotel to pick me up and start my trip. I managed to squeezed through the crowds and got an impressive view of the Terra-cotta army! Wow!!! It’s a must to come to Xi An and look at this army yourself. Helen (tour guide) treated me to a popular terracotta shaped chocolate ice cream. She said to make up for the hiccup last night. I bought a history book that is all in English. If you love reading history I recommend to buy the book. We had some thick wide noodles for lunch. It’s called “Biang Biang Mian”. In the evening, I went to walk the ancient City Wall. Saw the bell tower and drum tower too. Then I had dinner at the mall nearby the hotel. Final day at Xi’An, started with a beautiful weather, visited Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum. I went to watched a 30 mins Tang Dynasty musical instrument show. I recommend only people who are really interested to know more about Chinese music to attend. Then I went to Great Mosque and walked along Muslim street. Try a giant BBQ squid, it was alright. Had the crispy chinese croissant with minced pork and wanton soup for lunch. Delicious! Overall, Helen really took care of my needs and I love her knowledge on the history of China and Xi’An. I almost forgot, both tour guides from Beijing and Xi’An are bilingual. They are fluent in English. I had a really great time in China and I am definitely visiting China again in the near future! Cheers! I wrote a separate review for my experience in Beijing.
- Cheristiawan H wrote a review 8 November 2023
Great Trip Datong and PingyaoExcellent service provided to our Datong and Pingyao trip...will recommend to our friends for china trip... Great service also from Martha from China Tours
- Sonya A wrote a review 21 September 2023Towcester, United KingdomChina Tours 13 day tourMy daughter and I just returned from a fantastic 13 day trip to China with China Tours. The organisation and itinerary were excellent and our guides were really helpful and knowledgable. We had an absolutely brilliant time and a lot of that is down to the China Tours staff. When my daughter left her favourite jacket behind in Chengdu, Martha immediately arranged to have it sent on to the guide in Shanghai for us. I thoroughly recommend China Tours to anyone considering a holiday in China.