How To Get A Tourist Visa To China

Most people visiting China need a China Tourist Visa, or L visa for short, and can travel freely in most parts of China as a tourist, assuming they do not meet China's visa-free policy. Passport, application form, and materials showing the itinerary or a Chinese invitation letter are essential application materials. In most cases, visitors can obtain a single-entry L visa with a 30-day stay. Citizens of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Argentina can obtain a 10-year multiple-entry Chinese tourist visa. If traveling with a group, there may not be an individual visa on the passport. Instead, the tour group will receive a group tourist visa with the names of all members printed on it. In this case, provide your details to the travel agent in advance and there will be no worries.

How To Get A Tourist Visa To China?

Passports

Your passport has at least 6 months of remaining validity and a usable blank page, as well as a copy of your passport information page.

Application form

Complete one copy of the China Tourist Visa Application Form accurately. Please fill in each field of the application form, or "N/A" if not applicable. Failure to complete the application in a truthful, complete, and clear manner may result in a delay in processing or rejection of the application.

Recent Photos

A recent white background color passport photo is attached to the application form.

Round-trip airfare plus hotel reservation or China invitation

Proof of travel documents, including proof of round-trip airline reservations and proof of hotel reservations.

How to Get a Chinese Tourist Visa

With the necessary documents in hand, you can submit your application in person at a Chinese embassy, consulate, Chinese embassy or consulate abroad or at a China Visa Application Center (CVASC) (if available in your country). If you can't go in person, you can ask someone else to do it for you, such as a travel agent or visa agency. It is not mandatory to make an appointment. Most Chinese embassies and consulates will not accept applications by mail and will be rejected. In countries where CVASC is available, applicants can apply by mail or by making an appointment online through the CVASC website.

Tourist Visa To China Processing Time

It normally takes 4 working days to apply for a China tourist visa. For express service, an additional $20 will be charged for two or three business days of service. For expedited service, there will be an additional $30 charge for same-day service.

Chinese Tourist Visa Cost

Visa fees vary depending on nationality and number of entries. However, under the Visa Fee Cancellation Agreement, nationals of the following countries can obtain visas free of charge, but must pay for express, urgent or postal services.

Chinese Tourist Visa Extension

If you need to stay in China longer than your tourist visa allows, you can apply for an extension from the local immigration authorities 7 days before the expiry of your L visa. The application requires a passport, a visa application form with a recent colour photograph, a registration form for temporary residence and a travel itinerary. If your application is approved, you may be granted an extension of stay up to the length of your original stay on your visa.