How to Apply for a China Visa?

Foreign visitors who are planning a trip to China are advised to apply for a Chinese visa at least one month before departure. However, how to get a visa to China must be a headache for a lot of people, especially first-timers. Here, we have a step-by-step guide to China visa application for you to figure out the whole application procedure and relevant requirements.

Step 1: Find out whether you need a visa

Generally speaking, any foreign citizen visiting China must have a visa unless they are eligible for China’s visa-free policies. For instance, 72-hour visa-free transit adopted in Changsha, Harbin, and Guilin, 144-hour visa-free transit carried out in 20 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Chengdu, as well as 15 days visa-free entry policy for citizens from 15 countries, enables visitors to have a short stay in these cities without a visa. Read more China’s 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Step 2: Decide which kind of visa to apply

There are various types of China visas for applicants with different visiting purposes. For example, if you mean to take a few days’ China tours, a China tourist visa (L-visa) is right for you; applicants intending to have a business trip to China should apply for a China business visa (M-visa); overseas students are required to hold a China student visa (X-visa) to receive education in the country…

If you have to travel to China frequently for business or family reasons, you may consider applying for a 5-year or 10-year China visa directly, which allows multiple entries to China within the validity period.

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Step 3: Fill in the China visa application form

Completing the online application is the first step in the whole process. Applicants need to log on to the official website of China Online Visa Application (COVA) at http://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn to fill in the application form. Print out the whole set of forms after finished and sign at specified locations.

Step 4: Prepare documents as required

Organize physical application documents as required, and ensure the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of the information. Otherwise, the application will be rejected.

Applicants are required to prepare two kinds of documents – Basic Documents and Supporting Documents. The former one is necessary for applying for all Chinese visas while the latter varies according to different visa types.

Basic Documents:

• Passport:

1. The original with a validity of more than 6 months and blank visa pages
2. A photocopy of the personal information page on the passport

• China visa application form attached with a 33mm * 48mm photo:

The photo should be taken within 6 months, full-faced and bareheaded.

• Proof of legal stay and residence
• Previous China passport or China visa (for foreign applicants used to hold Chinese citizenship):

1. For first-time applications, please provide the original of the previous China passport and a photocopy of the personal information page, as well as the permanent residency in foreign countries and naturalization paper;
2. Or, applicants need to submit photocopies of the personal information page on the previous foreign passport and previous Chinese visa.

Supporting Documents of Common Visa Types

• China Tourist Visa (L-Visa):

Itinerary materials like booking records of round-trip air tickets and hotel reservations, or invitation letters from units or individuals in China

• China Student Visa (X-Visa):

1. The original and a photocopy of the admission letter issued by educational institutes in China
2. The original and a photocopy of the visa application for study in China

• China Business Visa (M-Visa):

Commercial activity documents or invitation letters of trade conferences issued by business partners in China.

• China Family Reunion Visa (Q-Visa):

1. An invitation letter from a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with permanent residence status in China;
2. Photocopies of the Chinese inviter’s identity card, or photocopies of the foreign inviter’s passport and permanent residence permit;
3. A proof of the family relationship with the inviter is needed if the applicant intends to stay in China for more than 180 days.

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Step 5: Submit all the required documents

Chinese visa applicants no longer have to make an online appointment in advance. Once you get everything ready, submit the application form as well as all the required documents to the Chinese visa application service center or visa sectors at the Chinese Embassy or Consulates that serve your residential area. Applicants aged from 14 to 70 are required to record biometric information at the same time. You will be given a pick-up slip stating the date of collection. Please keep the slip properly.

Step 6: Pay the fee and pick up the visa

Go to the visa service center or visa sector on the appointed date to complete the payment and collect your visa.

How long does it take to get a Chinese visa?

Generally, applicants can pick up their Chinese visa on the 4^th working day after submission. If they want express services, an extra fee will be charged and the application procedure will be shortened to 2~3 working days.

China Visa Application Fee

The application fee for a China visa varies largely depending on the number of entries, applicants’ nationalities, and visa types. Applicants should make an extra payment if they want express services or have the visa mailed to their places.

Here is a list of application fees for a visa to China in major countries for your reference:

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