Visa Information
What is a
Chinese visa?
A Chinese visa is a travel authorization
document usually required by China for
entering its borders, which is issued by
a Chinese embassy or consulate, affixed
in your passport.
Do I need a Chinese visa?
Usually most foreigners traveling to
mainland China, whether for business or
pleasure, require a visa. It's very
difficult to obtain a Chinese port visa
at the Chinese border entry points.
However, some cities and regions of
China are visa free in certain
circumstances.
China's Visa Exemptions
Tourists holding ordinary passports for
Singapore, Brunei and Japan are allowed
to enter China for up to 15 days without
visas for tourism or family/friend
visits. Direct flight transit without
leaving the airport doesn't require a
visa, and then there are special areas
of China with visa-free policies.
When to apply for a Chinese visa?
It is recommended to apply for the visa
one or two months before the intended
travel.
Documents Required to Apply for a
Visa
The following are the minimum for a
tourist (L) visa application. Other
documents or requirements may be
necessary, especially if you are not
applying for the usual L (tourist) visa.
For detailed information, please consult
the Chinese Embassy in your country.
1. Passports:
With at least two blank visa pages
(amendment pages and pages with bar
codes are not acceptable for visa
stamping), valid for at least 6 months.
2. Visa Application Forms and Photos:
• One completed, signed visa application
form for each passport, with appropriate
visa fee and any supporting information
required.
• Two passport photos (head and
shoulders only, front view, with a white
background, approximately 35mm x 45mm.
When you have the required items ready,
submit the application at the
appropriate visa office of the Chinese
embassy/consulate-general, or Visa
Application Center in your country.
If you cannot go in person, you can
entrust someone else to drop off the
visa application, or a travel/visa
agency to help handle your visa
application.
How do I extend my Chinese visa?
Foreigners who want to stay in China
beyond the duration of their visa need
to apply for an extension. The visa
extension application form should be
submitted to the Local Public Security
Bureau 7 days before the expiration date
of the visa.
Visitors who want their visa to be
extended should provide the following
evidential materials:
• Valid passport and visa
• A completed application form for visa
extension
• Reason for the extension
The length of the extension depends on
the type of visa and multiple entry
visas cannot be extended.
You are advised not to overstay the
duration of your visa or fail to apply
for an extension before your visa
expires as you risk for being heavily
fined and have your travel plans
disrupted. Please contact your travel
advisor for assistance with visa
extensions.
For More details about visa application,
please visit
Overseas mission of the Republic of
China .