[Important] Breaking news! China has resumed the issuance of all types of visas(Including tourist visa) for foreigners since March 15, 2023. Read more »

China Visa - Visa for Travel to China

Chinese Visa - Visa for Travel to China 2023/2024

While planing a trip to China, the visa topic always comes first and seriously. Indeed, China Visa is an obligatory official permission all foreign travelers normally required to obtained for a China travel. To obtain a valid visa and enter China successfully, you need to do massive relevant researches, choose a right type of visa, make piles of paperwork meticulously, pay appreciate fees and submit application to Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad. Once get it, you also need to enter adhering to related China’s laws and regulations.

Another good news is, China has carried out many visa-free policies for different situations of nationality, transportation of entry, place will visit, etc., to closer contact to the world and present diverse charm of China. Among all, the 144-Hour Transit in China Without Visa (TWOV) is most concerned and frequently used. Without pre-arrival application, qualified tourists could get “no-visa” entry and tour through fast procedures by a few documents, which is time, money and energy-saving.

Aiming at offering visa worry-free help for your journey to China. We introduced both visa waiver programs you may use, top destinations available, related trip planning ideas, and detailed instruction of applying for a regular China Visa, to make sure you learn each step and can smoothly get a China Visa as expected.

    Latest China Visa Notes updated on March 14, 2023

    In order to further facilitate the entry and exit of Chinese and foreign personnel, the following adjustments have been made to the visa and entry policies for foreigners entering China, effective from 00:00 March 15, 2023, Beijing time:

  • 1. The entry function of visas which were issued before March 28, 2020 but still valid;.
  • 2. Overseas visa offices issue various types of visas (including Tourist Visa) for foreigners to travel to China, with specific requirements detailed in the visa application guidelines of Chinese embassies or consulates.
  • 3. Port visa offices issue various types of port visas for lawful purposes.
  • 4. The policies of visa-free entry for Hainan, Shanghai International cruise arrival, Guangdong foreign tourist group entry from Hong Kong or Macau (organized by travel agencies in HK or Macau), and ASEAN tourist groups entering Guilin, Guangxi is resumed.

China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call 86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!

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Important Things to Know about Chinese Visa

Being acquainted with key information of China Visa helps you avoid wasting time, money and making annoying mistakes. Above all, checking the visa exemptions to find out if you really need a visa. When an application is needed, confirm a right visa type, validity, fees and the correct way to apply. Follow our comprehensive guide to solve confusions and special situations during trip. Now, let’s get start to the introduction part first.

  • Important Things to Know about China Visa
    11 Important Things Should Know

    Apply China Visa on your own or via an agent? When is the best time to apply? Can I change visa type or validity after issuance? Pick the best practical suggestions you may need.

  • China Visa Free Policy
    Do I Need A Visa for China

    The first and most important step is to check whether you are eligible for China’s visa-free policy. If yes, then you can travel to China without applying a visa and pay lots of fees.

  • China Visa Types
    Different China Visa Types

    Judge you purpose of visiting, and choose the most appropriate visa category to apply, e.g. China L Visa is for tour, M Visa is for business, Z visa is for work in China.

  • Read China Visa Informations
    How to Read A China Visa

    Learn how to understand vital informations of your China Visa, including visa category, validity, duration of stay per entry, number of entry and so on.

  • China Tourist Visa
    China Tourist (L) Visa

    The L Visa is issued to who intend to visit China for tourism. With it, you can travel to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin and more cities crossing different provinces, enter and exit through any port.

  • China Transit Visa
    China Transit (G) Visa

    Not qualified for China’s free transit rule? Then you must apply and get a China Transit/G Visa for layover in China before departure. Here offers detailed guide of needed documents, where and how to apply for it.

  • China Single Double Multiple Entry Visa
    China Single, Double, Multiple-Entry Visa

    Figure out difference between them, like entry limitations and application fees, and select the most suitable kind to meet your single, two-time or multiple-trip to China.

  • China Visa on Arrival
    China Visa on Arrival

    Only emergency entry, invited high-level talents, travel to Shenzhen, Zhuhai and other Special Economic Zones, special group tourists can apply China Visa on Arrival. Learn more application directions here.

How to Apply for A Chinese Visa

Confused by flood-like messages online and don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! China Discovery identifies each key step and leads you to know all China Visa application works clearly, correctly and completely. Please understand that an overall application involve basic requirement and supporting materials, fees and so on. You need to prepare all required documents and submit to Chinese Embassy or Consulate directly or through a China Visa Application Service Center nearby. Once learn it, you can apply by yourself, no more need to find a agent. (Complete Guide about Detailed Chinese Visa Application Processes »)

Chinese Visa Exemption Policies

Based on the 15 different kinds of visa exemption rules of China, eligible foreigners can get exceptional visa-free entry and enjoy a certain period of journey in permitted areas in China. No visa incurs, only a valid passport, departing ticket and a few simple materials are needed. Be aware preconditions before planning such a trip.

Singaporeans, Bruneians and Japaneses ordinary passport holders may obtain a unilateral visa exemption for tour, business, visiting family or friends in China with 15 days. It’s free to travel to most cities across China then. Fiji, Qatar and all 14 countries benefit mutual visa exemption between China.

Visa-Free Transit (TWOV) is another popular way to make a short-term layover tour in China. Meeting related requirements, you may get a longer 144 hours in 20 top destinations in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc., or 72 hours free visa in Guilin, Harbin and Changsha. Besides, more regional visa waiver programs provided in China, like Hainan 30-Day Free Visa, Shanghai 15-Day Visa Free for Curise Groups, Pearl River Delta 6-Day Visa Free. Being a wonderful time-saver, each of them largely cuts your costs and enriches your journey with unique scenery and experience.

Chinese Transit Visa Free

Currently, China offers 24-hour, 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa free, totally 3 kinds of special visa services for foreigners transit convenience. Eligible travelers not only get Transit Visa exempted without any charges, but also granted a short-term stopover to explore brilliant and diverse nature, culture and history of China, spice up your world journey.

72/144-Hour Visa Free Transit

To get a visa-free layover tour in China, you must hold valid passport of the appointed 53 countries and departing ticket to a third country or region (including HK, Macau, Taiwan), transit through China via certain port in cities or regions.

144-Hour Visa Cities (20):

Beijing / Shanghai / Xian /Guangzhou / Chengdu

Shenzhen / Tianjin / Hangzhou / Nanjing

Xiamen / Kunming / Wuhan / Qingdao / Dalian

● Chongqing / Ningbo / Shenyang / Shijiazhuang / Qinhuangdao / Jieyang

72-Hour Visa Cities (3):

Guilin / Harbin / Changsha

Special Notices:

1. Transit travelers must enter via certain airport, seaport or land port and apply visa-free entry.

2. The transit time officially counts from 00:00 the next day upon arrival.

3. After entry, you must stay within the authorized administrative region and can not go places beyond the limitation.

Learn more related requirements, application procedures and useful tips about:

>> China 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

>> China 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Transit Visa Free Countries

China 24-Hour Transit Visa Free is open to all international transiting passengers, while 72-Hour and 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit only applies to citizens of specific 53 foreign countries. Others not in the list should obtain a China Transit Visa prior to arrival. Check full list as below:

European Countries (39)

- Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (24): Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

- Other European Countries (15): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania,

Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco and Belarus.

American Countries (6):

The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Republic of Chile.

Oceania Countries (2):

Australia and New Zealand.

Asian Countries (6):

South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

How to Apply Free Transit

Applicants normally make request to the carrier when boarding, and follow a few simple steps to apply for a free entry and layover upon arrival. Also, you can make pre-arrival online application for Shanghai & Xiamen, or direct apply at the entry port.

Step 1 - When boarding, inform the air/cruise/train staff that you will apply Visa-Free Transit. They will deliver your request to the immigration authority at border ports before arrival.

Step 2 - Upon arrival, fill in the Arrival Card (blue version) at specialized desk, and then follow guide to Transit Visa Exemption counter. Complete related Application Form, and then queue up for submission with passport and ticket leaving for onward destination.

Step 3 - After verification and checking, the immigration officer will grant you a ”Temporary Entry Permit” stamped on your passport.

Step 4 - Go through custom clearance and immigration formalities, leave the port and transfer to downtown or your hotel.

Step 5 - Must make temporary accommodation registration to local police station after checking-in within 24 hours.

Visas for Special Regions in China

If you plan to visit China for tour, a China Tourist Visa - L Visa is the right category to apply. For a trip to Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Regions of China, please check the related immigration rules to figure out where you are visa exempted or visa required applicant. To simplify your preparation and help clarify each detail, below introduces further travel-related visas foreigners most concerned, covering requirement, application procedure and useful tips.

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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