Wondering how to get a China visa in Hong Kong? Use this guide to navigate through the steps that will have all those boxes ticked in no time.
This article is written especially for travelers from the west, including visitors from the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand who want to apply for a visa for China, however, it’s important to note that travelers from around 170 countries and territories can visit Hong Kong without a Chinese visa for a duration of between 7 and 180 days.
How to get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong
While it’s good news that you can enjoy Hong Kong without the concern of arranging a visa, if your travel plans take in anywhere else in China, you will need a visa. Apart from ordinary passport holders from 23 countries signed the bilateral agreements with China (including Singapore and Thailand), who can enjoy visa-free access to China for up to 30 days, every other visitor is required to make arrangements for the relevant China visa.
The latest news in Nov 2024 confirmed that China has extended the unilateral visa-free policy to 38 countries.*From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passports holders from the specified 38 countries can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes.
* Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, and Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam. |
Our big tip on this? We strongly recommend travelers make tour arrangements well in advance of their visit to China and apply for a Chinese visa from the Chinese embassy or consulate in their country of origin.
Now the caveat on applying for a China visa is this: If you are a citizen from one of 54 countries around the world (check out the list below), and plan to take advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy (that applies to 60 eligible ports in 24 provinces), then you don’t need to apply for a Chinese visa.
| 40 European countries | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway |
| 6 countries in North and South America | United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile |
| 2 Oceania countries | Australia, New Zealand |
| 6 Asian countries | Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar |
Let’s explain how that would work with a few sample itineraries. Hint: These examples do not require a Chinese visa.
Hong Kong – Shanghai – USA
Hong Kong – Beijing – Tianjin – Japan
Hong Kong – Guangzhou – Australia
To make things clearer – and show how you can optimize the flexible travel policy available by making Hong Kong the start point for your holiday – we’ve put together this table that shows 240-hour visa-free transit accessible ports in 24 provinces, cities and popular destinations you can visit.
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Ports | Permitted Stay Areas | Main Cities / Popular Destinations you may visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEIJING | Beijing Municipality | Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Place, Hutongs | |
| TIANJIN | Tianjin Municipality | Tianjin Eye (Ferris wheel), Ancient Culture Street, Tianjin Museum, Five Great Avenues | |
| HEBEI | Hebei Province | Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Chengde, Zhangjiakou (Jinshanling Great Wall, Chengde Mountain Resort, Shanhai Pass, Beidaihe, Zhangbei Grassland, Wanlong Ski Resort) | |
| LIAONING | Liaoning Province | Shenyang, Dalian, Benxi, Dandong Anshan (Mukden Palace, Dalian Xinghai Park, Anshan Jade Buddha Palace) | |
| SHANGHAI | Shanghai Municipality | The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, Shanghai Disneyland Park | |
| JIANGSU | Jiangsu Province | Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Lianyungang, Xuzhou, Nantong, Zhenjiang (Purple Mountain, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming dynasty city wall and gates, Classical Gardens of Suzhou, Zhouzhuang, Yangzhou Slender West Lake) | |
| ZHEJIANG | Zhejiang Province | Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Yiwu, Zhoushan (West Lake, Lingyin Temple, | |
| ANHUI | Anhui Province | Hefei, Huangshan, Wuhu, Anqing (Mount Huangshan, Tunxi, Xidi, Hongcun, Jiuhua Mountain) | |
| FUJIAN | Fujian Province | Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou (Gulangyu Island,Fujian Tulou Cluster, South Putuo Temple, Danxia Landform in Taining, Wuyi Mountains) | |
| SHANDONG | Shangdong Province | Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Qufu, Tai’an, Weifang (Temple and Cemetery of Confucius in Qufu, Mount Tai, Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, Laoshan Mountain, Penglai Pavilion) | |
| HENAN | Henan Province | Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang (Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, Mount Song, White Horse Temple, Yinxu, Yuntai Mountain) | |
| HUBEI | Hubei Province | Wuhan, Yichang, Jingmen, Shiyan (Three Gorges of the Yangtze, Shennongjia, Yellow Crane Tower, Mount Wudang) | |
| HUNAN | Hunan Province | Changsha, Hengyang, Zhuzhou, Yueyang, Zhangjiajie (Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yueyang Tower, Fenghuang ancient town, Mawangdui) | |
| GUANGDONG | Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province) | Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Chaozhou (Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island, Danxia Mountain, Window of the World) | |
| HAINAN | Hainan Province | Haikou, Sanya, Yalongwan, Wenchang, Qionghai (Yalong Bay, Nanshan Temple, Tianya Haijiao, Luhuitou Park, Wuzhizhou Coral Island) | |
| CHONGQING | Chongqing Municipality | Three Gorges of Yangtze River, Ciqikou, Hongyadong, Fengdu Ghost City, Baiheliang Underwater Museum, Dazu Rock Carvings | |
| GUIZHOU | Guizhou Province | Guiyang, Zunyi, Anshun, Liupanshui, Kali (Huangguoshu Waterfall, Mount Fanjing, Kaili Miao Villages, Zhenyuan Ancient Town, Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area) | |
| SHAANXI | Shaanxi Province | Xi’an, Xianyang, Baoji, Hanzhong, Yan’an (Terracotta Army, Xi’an City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Mount Hua, Famen Temple, Hukou Waterfall, Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor) | |
| SHANXI | Taiyuan City, Datong City | Taiyuan (Shanxi Museum, Twin Pagoda Temple, Jinci Tempel, Tianlongshan Grottoes) Datong (Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Monastery, Shanhua Temple, Huayan Monastery) | |
| HEILONGJIANG | Harbin City | Harbin Ice and Snow World, Central Street, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Sun Island | |
| JIANGXI | Nanchang City, Jingdezhen City | Nanchang (Pavilion of Prince Teng, Bayi Square, Bada Shanren Memorial Hall, Qiushui Square) Jingdezhen (China Ceramic Museum, Jingdezhen Ancient Kilns and Folk Customs Museum) | |
| GUANGXI | 11 cities – Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin | Nanning (Guangxi Museum, Mount Qingxiu, People’s Park, Yangmei Ancient Town) Guilin (Li River, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park) | |
| SICHUAN | 11 cities — Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, Ziyang | Chengdu (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda, Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley, Jinli Street, Wenshu Yuan Monastery, Wuhou Shrine, Mount Qingcheng, Dujiangyan) Leshan (Mount Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha) | |
| YUNNAN | 9 cities – Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, Lijiang | Kunming (Stone Forest, Yuantong Tempel) Dali (Erhai Lake, Chongsheg Temple, Dali Ancient Town) Lijiang (Old Town of Lijiang, Shuhe Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) |
What if I’m a expat? How do I get a China visa in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong continues to operate as an important commercial hub in Asia and it’s no surprise that it still draws workers who want to experience the city as a working professional. If you fall into this category, you can apply for a China visa at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Hong Kong. Just be aware that applicants must reside in Hong Kong when submitting an application.
And if you’re a tourist? How do you arrange a visa for China if you’re in Hong Kong?
If you are eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy and just visit China for a short trip in the specified regions and no more than 10 days, you don’t need to apply for a visa. Or you can take advantage of visa-free policy during Nov 30 2024 to Dec 31 2025, if you are the ordinary passport holder from the certain countries, and come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 30 days. Otherwise, travelers who are staying in Hong Kong temporarily can submit a China visa application in Hong Kong by visiting the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in person. Alternatively, you can apply through an agency, such as China Travel Services Hong Kong Ltd. Keep in mind you will need an authorized letter enclosed with copies of photo identification, and if it’s your first time applying for a China visa, you will definitely have to make your application in person. Turnaround times on visas are relatively quick – just four days in most cases – however, an express service (two-day turnaround) is available.
What supporting documents are needed?
As with all visa applications, supporting documentation is required. Here are the basic requirements you’ll need:
- Original passport with a minimum of two blank pages and valid for at least six months.
- A copy of the passport and data page
- Completed visa application form with a recent color passport photo taken against a which background and showing a bare head and full face
- Proof of a legal stay or residence status, or various valid certificates relevant to the visa
- Birth certificate and parents’ passport copies if the first-time applicant is under 18 years.
For an L Visa, that is, travelers visiting China as a tourist, there are some additional requirements:
- Documents showing your travel itinerary, including air ticket booking record (showing a round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation
- An invitation letter that contains:
- Applicant information (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
- Details of the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
- Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, and signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
Be sure you take the time to prepare your application correctly because an inadvertent omission or mistake will mean your travel plans could be delayed.
Where do I get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong?
Here are the best locations for organizing your Chinese visa if you’re in Hong Kong.
Has this information been helpful? Are you looking to travel to Hong Kong and mainland China but unsure how to create an itinerary you’ll love? The team at ChinaTours.com can help. Helping people create China travel adventures is what we do and we’d welcome the opportunity to show China to you. Let us design a tour you’ll remember long after you’ve arrived home so you can enjoy beautiful travel memories that last a lifetime. Reach out to our team today – We’re here for you.
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