China Tourist Visa

Documents required for a China visa

  • Passport:

Valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages for the visa.

A photocopy of the passport data page and photo page (if the two pages are separate).

  • A copy of the data page and photo page of the previous passport, as well as the pages with previous Chinese visas (this applies only to applicants who have obtained Chinese visas before).
  • If the applicant’s name in the current passport differs from the name in the previous passport, an official document proving the name change must be submitted.
  • The completed visa application form.
  • Personal photos:
    • Photographs (printed)
      • In color, 33 mm × 48 mm, recent (taken less than 6 months ago), with a plain white background and no border.
      • Neutral facial expression with mouth closed, eyes open, and ears visible; front view with the whole head and face clearly shown. The head must be between 15 and 22 mm wide, and its height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead between 28 and 33 mm.
      • The distance between the top of the head and the upper edge of the photo should be between 3 mm and 5 mm, and the distance between the chin and the lower edge of the photo should be 7 mm or more.
    • Digital photo
      • In color, between 354 × 472 pixels and 420 × 560 pixels, in (JPEG) format, with a file size between 40 and 120 KB.
      • Neutral facial expression with mouth closed, eyes open, and ears visible; front view with the whole head and face clearly shown; head width of 205 pixels.
      • The distance between the top of the head and the upper edge of the photo should be between 10 and 70 pixels, and the distance from the lower edge to the horizontal line through the center of the eyes should be greater than 256 pixels.
  • Hotel booking.
  • Proof of departure and return to your country of residence, or a ticket for an onward journey to another country.
  • An invitation letter containing the following information (submitted instead of a travel itinerary):
    • The applicant’s name, gender, passport number, and date of birth.
  • Arrival and departure dates, tourist destinations, and expense arrangements.
    • The name, address, phone number, and signature of the person issuing the invitation.
  • Applicants who apply for a visa in a country other than the one of their nationality should submit the following:
    • Proof of residence: a valid residence permit or valid visas.
    • Employment or study status.
  • Other valid certificates issued by official authorities that prove legal residence.
  • A photocopy of previous Chinese visas or previous Chinese passports (required only from former Chinese citizens who have acquired a foreign nationality).

Steps to apply for a China visa

China visa applications can only be submitted through the official visa application centers, and applicants may submit their applications themselves or through agents. However, applicants may be asked to attend the application center in person for an interview.

  • Complete the required documents.
  • Fill in the application form.
    • Go to the official website www.cova.mfa.gov.cn to apply for a China visa online, and select the language, country, and city where you intend to submit your application. Applicants from certain countries may be redirected to the website www.visaforchina.cn of the visa application center where they are expected to submit their applications. If your country is not listed among the options shown, contact the nearest Chinese embassy for information on how to apply.
    • Copy the application number and fill in the form in either Chinese or English. Then submit the completed application form online and print a paper copy of it.

  • Book an appointment to submit your China visa application.

  • After completing and submitting the application form, applicants will be redirected to a link where they can book an appointment to submit their China visa application.
  • Note: procedures may differ between the various Chinese visa centers, consulates, and embassies.
  • Submit your China visa application
    • Submit your passport, the application form, and the other supporting documents to the visa application center or the Chinese consulate or embassy. Answer any questions you may be asked clearly.
  • Get the collection receipt showing your case number and the visa collection date.
  • Pay the visa application fee
    • Check whether the fee is to be paid when submitting the visa application or when collecting the visa, as procedures may differ.
  • Note the following: applications submitted online, by fax, or by mail are not accepted. Some applicants may have to attend the Chinese consulate or embassy in person for an interview.

China visa fees

  • The fee for a regular visit visa is 30 US dollars for a single-entry visa. However, visa fees may vary depending on the number of entries and the applicant’s nationality. Additional fees may be required for expedited visa processing.

When to apply

  • Applicants are advised to submit their visa applications one month before their intended travel date.

Where to apply

  • Those wishing to obtain a China visa can submit their applications through a visa center or a Chinese consulate or embassy. Applications can be submitted in person by the applicants themselves or by a third party authorized by the applicant. However, applicants may have to attend the visa application center, consulate, or embassy in person for an interview.

China visa processing time

  • The expected processing time for China visa applications is 4 to 5 working days after the application is submitted. However, in some cases applications may take more than 5 working days to process. When this happens, no visa collection date will be set on the collection receipt. Applicants will be informed of their visa collection date immediately or after submitting their applications.

If the visa application is approved:

  • Anyone holding the original collection receipt can collect the passport and visa on the date shown on the receipt or at a later date, unless the visa center informs applicants of any other procedures.
  • Applicants must make sure that the details in the visa are complete and correct when they collect it.