visit china visa application

How to Apply for a China Visa — a Step-by-Step Guide

Updates April 25th, 2024:  If you book a trip with us, we can arrange a port visa for you to travel to China. China’s port visas are similar to the “visas on arrival” of some other countries. It enables a stay in China for up to 30 days. Contact us to book a trip.

From December 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2024, visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, and Malaysia can stay in China for up to 15 days without a visa for travel, business, transit, or visiting friends and family.

Starting March 14th, travelers from Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland can also enjoy this visa-free entry.

How to Apply for a China Visa

Planning to visit China, but don't know how to apply for a China visa? We're breaking it down for you with our step-by-step guide, follow the steps and get your China visa efficiently.

The visa information we provide is for reference only. We are a travel agency. If you book a trip with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter when applying for a tourist visa.

1. Find out if you need a visa

The first thing is to check whether you need a visa or not. You usually need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet one of China's visa-free policies . 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit offer great convenience if you have a layover in China.

2. Find out which visa you need.

There are many types of China visas. Choose a visa type that applies to your situation. If you are planning to go on a vacation in China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).

3. Prepare the required documents.

The following list of documents are required for any China visa application:

• A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
• A complete visa application form (The visa application form can be downloaded from the Chinese embassy website or from our website. You complete it by computer, print and sign it. In some countries such as UK you should complete an online form . On the form, you might find an item "Serial number of invitation letter of the authorized organization", you may skip this item if you don't have an invitation letter, or the invitation letter is not of this type.)
• A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48mmx33mm)

Along with the aforementioned generally required documents, several additional documents are required depending upon the type of China visa applied for.

For instance, if you are applying for a tourist L visa , you need to prepare an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency. ( An invitation letter could be provided by us without extra charge if a China tour of 3 days or more is booked .)

An invitation letter can replace the air ticket and hotel booking if you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China and can't provide the hotel confirmation, or if your travel is being organized by a travel agency (or other duly authorized organization) in China . We can provide you with the invitation letter if you book a tour with us.

4. Submit the application.

You may submit the application to the Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or China Visa Application Service Centers (also called CVASC) if they are operating in your country.

Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries (including the U.S., the UK, and Canada) have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected .

The regular service processing time is 4 days, and the rushed service takes about 1 day. The latter is only available in extreme emergencies pending a consular officer's approval.

5. Pay the fee and collect your visa.

Go to the place where you apply for a China visa, pay the fee, and collect your visa.

The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. Here we listed China visa prices for some countries for your reference. It may change based on the updated policies.

The fees shown in the table are only for the cost of visa. If you apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the service fee and tax are required.

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When to Apply for a Visa

It is important to get your visa early, but not too early because it is only valid for 90/180 days for single/double-entry visas from the issue date.

It is usually recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel .

Apply for Special Permits, If Necessary.

If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need to get a Tibet Travel Permit from a Chinese travel agency. As a travel agency based in China for more than 20 years, we can help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

Check the most popular Tibet tours .

Apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong

If you are already in Hong Kong and want to visit the Chinese mainland, it is possible to get a China visa in Hong Kong. Read our step-by-step guide .

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Q :How to apply for a Chinese visa?

A: I. Filling out the COVA form. Complete the online application form at the China Online Visa Application (COVA) website . Please refer to the consular jurisdiction of the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in the United States  and select corresponding Embassy/Consulate-General when you submit the form online. Attention: Once the application form is submitted, it cannot be modified. Please make sure that the information is true, accurate, and complete.

II. Preparing documents. Prepare the required documents by referring to the Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application . The application documents for each visa type consist of two parts: basic documents and general documents. Please read the instructions carefully.

III.  Submitting the physical documents. Print out the full set of paper application form and required documents. Submit them in person or by an agent within office hours of the corresponding Embassy or Consulate-General.  The Visa Section of the Embassy locates at: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20007 .  Office hours: 9:30-14:30 (Monday to Friday, closed on weekends and holidays).   The staff will review the documents and schedule the time for pickup. Usually, it will take 4 working days if the application meets all the requirements.

If there is an urgent need for travel, the applicant may apply for expedited processing by presenting the supporting documents. The processing time will be 3 working days (additional fee will be charged).

In some cases, it may take longer-than-usual-time, please be patient and wait for pickup notice.

IV . Pickup. Please use credit card (Master or Visa), Money Order or Cashier's Check for payment. More details .

Q: After I finished  the COVA form , I f ind  there is incorrect/incomplete information .   D o I need to fill out another  form?

A: Core personal information including Name (full name, middle name included) , Gender, Date of Birth, Current Nationality, Passport/Travel Document Type and Number must be exactly the same as the personal information page of the applicant’s passport. If any information above is incorrect, the applicant must fill out another application form.  As to other information, please follow the instructions of the staff on-site to correct or supplement.

Q: My passport expires in  6 months/ has less than 2 visa pages, can I use it to apply for a Chinese visa?

A: No. Please renew the passport first.

Q: I renewed my passport recently. I previously had a Chinese visa on my expired passport which is still within the valid period.Do  I need to apply for a new visa ?

A: Please check whether there is any change of Name, Gender, Date of Birth and Nationality between the new and expired passports. If the information above has not changed and the purpose of your upcoming trip to China is consistent with the visa type, a new visa is not required. Please travel to China with both passports. If your personal information has changed or the purpose of your trip to China is different from the type of current visa, please apply for a new visa.

Q: I am a Chinese citizen. My child was born in the U.S. with a U.S. passport. What are the requirements for my child applying Chinese visa for the first time?

A: According to the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, a person whose parents are both Chinese nationals and have both settled abroad, or one of whose parents is a Chinese national and has settled abroad (for example, holding a non-conditional permanent resident card  of the U.S. ) , and who has acquired foreign nationality at birth shall not have Chinese nationality. These foreign nationals are required to apply for a visa to travel to China. Please refer to the Chinese Visa Application Requirements for U.S.-born Children of Chinese Descent .

Q: I live in Florida . Florida   belongs to the embassy's consular jurisdiction,   but it is far from D.C.. C an I apply my Chinese visa through the mail?

A:The Chinese Embassy does not provide mailing services for visa application. Please follow  Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application  and submit the application material in person or by an agent.

Q: It has been more than 4 working days since I submitted my application documents to the Embassy but   I haven't obtained my visa   yet. What will be the reason of delay ?

A: Please check the email address or phone number provided in the COVA form. The Embassy might inform the applicants to provide additional documents. Also, check with your agent for updated information. Some applications may take longer to process. If the staff informs you to wait for phone call to pick up, please be patient.

Q: Why the visa is different from my application in terms of type/number of entries/validity/duration of each stay?

A: Whether to issue a visa, the type of visa, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay will be determined by consular officials. Consular officials will take the applicant's purpose of travel, the duration of stay and the supporting documents into comprehensive consideration and make the decision.

Q: I found that my personal information on the visa is inaccurate. What should I do?

A: Please contact the Visa Section of the Embassy through email [email protected]  or call 202-855-1555 (12:30-16:30, Monday to Friday, except for holidays) as soon as possible. You may also contact staff on-site to adjust the information in time.

Q: My 10-year multi-entry visa was suspended due to the COVID-19. Is there any compensation measures?

A: U.S. citizens holding multi-year multi-entry visas issued by Chinese authorities abroad before March 28, 2020 under bilateral reciprocity agreements, whose visas temporarily suspended of use between March 28, 2020 and March 14, 2023 due to the COVID-19, may apply for compensation. However, if a new multi-year multi-entry visa or residence permit has been issued after March 28, 2020, no compensation will be given for the original multi-year multi-entry visa. Applicants may choose whether to apply for compensation after the expiration of their visas. A three-year multi-entry visa can be applied free of charge in compensation. If applicants choose to give up the compensation, a new 10-year multi-entry visa can be applied for with normal charge. Please check for more details .

Where do you plan to apply for Chinese visa?

Copyright©1998-2014, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China   

• Start an appointment
• Check/Cancel an appointment

2. You must follow the instructions of the Chinese embassy/consulate when scheduling an appointment. Not all embassies and consulates offer an online booking of appointments service. If the embassy/consulate is not open to scheduling visa appointment online, you can take the printed application form directly to submit.

3. This website is accessible 24 hours a day. You will not be charged any fee to schedule an appointment via the website.

4. Please complete the China Online Visa Application (COVA) . You will need the application ID to book an appointment.

5. You can ask someone to book an appointment on your behalf.

6. Please schedule your appointment well in advance. How many days in advance you can make an appointment is decided by the embassy/consulate where you will submit your application for this visa.

7. Once you have made an appointment, you cannot change it. If you need to reschedule your appointment, you must first cancel your booked appointment by going to the (Check/Cancel an Appointment) page.

8. You can check your appointment details and print a confirmation of your appointment on the (Check/Cancel an Appointment) page after successfully booking an appointment.

9. If you need to cancel a booked appointment, please do so at least one day in advance, otherwise your application ID will be revoked and you will need to make a new application.

10. If you have successfully booked an appointment, you must arrive at the embassy/consulate at least 20 minutes in advance. Please ensure to have with you: your passport/travel document, your signed online visa application form and the confirmation page, your AVAS confirmation and any supporting documentation you may need.

11. You can book one appointment for a maximum of six applicants. All applicants must go to the embassy/consulate together.

12. This website is supported by Google Chrome, Windows Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 3.6 or higher, Safari 5.0 or higher and Opera 13.0 or higher.

13. Please fill in the form in Chinese or English .

Retrieve reservation information

The above information needs to be filled in with the application form.

Copyright©1998-2014, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China   

1. Visa Types

2. Basic Documents

1) Visa Application Form  and Confirmation Form of Online Visa Application .  Complete China Visa Application Form through China Online Visa Application website ( https://cova.mfa.gov.cn ). For underage applicants, the forms can be filled by parents on behalf of the children.

2)  Passport . Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of bio-data page of the passport.

3)  Photo . Must be a recent coloured ID photo, facing forward and with white coloured background, and bareheaded.

4)  Proof of legal stay or residence status  (applicable to non-Samoa passport holders applying for Chinese visa in Samoa).

5)  Original  and  photocopy of previous Chinese passport   and photocopy of naturalization certificate   (applicable to applicant who was of Chinese nationality and this is the first time to apply for Chinese visa after naturalization in a foreign country). If the name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, an official document of name change is required.

6) For children born in Samoa with Samoa Citizenship and Chinese descent applying for Chinese visa for the first time, applicants shall also submit the original and photocopy of birth certificate, the photocopy of parents’ passports and permanent residence permits.

※Paper copies of all application documents should be submitted to the Chinese Embassy in Samoa.

3. Supporting Documents Based on Visa Category and Purposes of Travel

A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China.

The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.

An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:

1) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.).

2) Information on the planned visit (the purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures).

3) Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, a signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).

An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date to the destination country or region.

J1 /J2 -Visa  should refer to the requirements of the competent authority.

Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. For invitation letters issued by individual, photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting person must be included. The invitation letter should contain:

2) Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.).

Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation or other invitation letters issued by a relevant entity. The invitation letter should contain:

2) Information on the planned visit (the purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity, financial source for expenditures).

For family reunion, the following documents are required:

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

1)Information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.).

2)Information on the visit (the purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures).

3)Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address,  a signature of the inviting individual, etc.).

(2) Photocopies of both sides of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit.

(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and inviting individual.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons and granddaughters.

For foster care, the following documents are required:

(1) Foster entrustment notarisation issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China.

(2) Original and photocopy of the consignor's passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.

(3) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.

(4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

1)Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.).

2)Information on the visit (the purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures).

3)Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.).

(2) Photocopies of both sides of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual.

A photocopy of Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents.

(1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

2)Information on the visit (the purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.).

3)Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.).

(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit

(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.

"Immediate family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 and parents-in-law.

For visiting family members for a short period , the following documents are required:

(1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:

2)Information on the visit (the purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.).

3)Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's passport and residence permit.

(3) Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters.

For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs  should be provided as required by the consular officer.

1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.

2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.

Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners

4 . Special Reminder

(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

• How to Apply
• Application Requirements
• China Visa Fees
• Entries /Validity /Duration
• 10-year China Visa
• Tourist (L)
• Business (M)
• 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
• Hong Kong Visa Policy
• Macau Visa Policy

Chinese Residence Permit

China visa application.

• How to Apply for China Visa in Your Country
• Renewal and Extension Visa in China
• Apply for China Visa in a Third Country
• How to Apply a China Visa in Hong Kong
• China Visa Application Requirements
• China Visa Fees & Costs
• Mail Service
• Visa Rejected Reasons
• FAQ about Visa Application
• China Visa Application Form  - From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China 
• Number of Entries / Validity / Duration
• 1. Single, Double and Multiple Entry 2. Validity (Enter Before) 3. Duration of Stay (After Entry)
• 10-year Visa for US & Canadian Citizens
• 10-Year Visa for UK Citizens
• Overstay in China
• Visa Policy of China
• Holiday Schedule of Chinese Embassies / Consulates

China Visa Types

• Tourist (L)  Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for tourism.
• Business (M)  Issued to aliens who are going to PRC for business and trade activities.
• Student (X)  Issued to aliens who are going for study, furthering studies.
• Work (Z)  Issued to aliens who are going for a post or employment.
• Transit (G)  Issued to aliens who are going to a third country in transit of PRC.
• Private Visit (S)  Issued to family members of foreigners residing in China for work, study, etc.
• Family Reunion (Q)  Issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence permit residing in PRC.
• Noncommercial Visit (F) Issued to aliens who are invited to a lecture, scientific-technological & cultural exchanges, study tours, etc.
• Talent (R) Issued to high-level personnel and much-needed highly talented people.
• Crew (C)  Issued to crewmembers involving international-based transportation by trains, airway and ships and their accompanying family members.
• Resident (D)  Issued to aliens who are going to reside permanently in PRC.
• Journalist (J-1, J-2) Issued to foreign journalists for the purpose of reporting from PRC.

China Visa-free Policy

• 24-Hour Transit Without Visa
• 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit  
• 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Adopted in Guangdong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Xi'an, Liaoning, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, and Kunming.
• Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Access
• Visa on Arrival
• Mutual Visa Exemption between PRC and Foreign Countries
• How to Travel to China without a Visa

Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR

• List of Visa-free Countries to Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Visa Application
• Hong Kong Visa Application Form  (PDF Download)
• List of Visa-free Countries to Macau
• Macau Visa Application Form (PDF Download)
• Temporary Residence Permit
• Permanent Residence Permit
• Requirements for Permanent Residence Permit
• Further Reading:
• Marriage Registration in China
• Affidavit of Marital Status
• Application Form of Notarization and Legalization

Do you need a visa to travel to China?

If holding an ordinary passport, you need to apply for a visa for China unless you are covered by China’s visa exemption policy, such as the 24/72/144 hours visa free transit schemes, Hainan 30-day visa-free access, visa exemption for tour groups meeting certain requirements, and visa-free entry for holders of APEC Business Travel Card. It’s worth mention that nationals of countries which have reached mutual visa-exemption agreements with China, like Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Qatar and Armenia, can also enjoy free entry to China. Those who hold a Chinese Temporary Residence Permit don’t need a visa for China either within the Residence Permit’s validity.  

How to apply a visa for China

China Embassies

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• Notice of port visa application procedures for foreigners
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• Other frequently asked questions about Chinese visa
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*To  apply for the emergency humanitarian visa for the purpose of arranging funeral matters or visiting a family member in critical medical conditions in China, applicants shall submit the identity document of the deceased or critically ill patient (such as a Chinese identity card or a foreign passport), a death certificate or a medical certificate of the patient issued by the hospital, proof of kinship, and other necessary documents as required.

III.  Application Procedures:

To apply for the above visas, applicants are required to fill in the online application form and make an appointment on the  Chinese Visa Application Service Centre  (CVASC) website before submitting applications in person on the date of the appointment and having their  ten fingers ’ fingerprints collected. Children under the age of 14 and adults above the age of 70 are not required to go to the  CVASC  for such biometric information collection. Please contact the CVASC for specific procedures, visa application requirements, processing time and fees.

IV.  Diplomatic, service or courtesy visa applicants shall also submit applications at the CVASC. The applicants are not required to pre-book time slots, but shall complete and print out the online application forms in advance.

V.  Foreign nationals who apply for visas for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the Macao Special Administrative Region can submit applications to the  consular section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulates in the UK during  business hours with no need for pre-booked appointments.

VI.  Visa applications for visiting purposes which are not included above will not be accepted at the moment.

VII.  Holder of a valid Chinese residence permit, or valid permanent documents and APEC Business Travel Cards ( excluding Virtual ABTC) does not need to apply for a new visa for entry into China .

• About the Embassy
• Embassy's News
• China-Malaysia Relations

From 0:00(Beijing time) on December 1, 2023 to 24:00 (Beijing time) on November 30, 2024, the Chinese government will implement 15-day visa free policy for Malaysian citizens holding ordinary passport who enter China for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes. Those who do not meet the purposes of visit and time limit for 15-day visa free policy are still required to apply for visas to China.

1. Application Procedures except for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas

1.1 Fill out the visa application form online ( https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle/ ), print out the confirmation page and the full form(7 pages in total, preferable double sided), sign the confirmation page and item 9 of the form.

1.2 Submit the application in person with materials (Please see Part 2 for material requirements) in the China Visa Application Service Centre(CVASC) in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Penang or the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu and retain ten fingerprints.

*The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection: Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70; Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy visas; Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia or the CVASC in Kuala Lumpur with the same passport; Applicants with all fingers uncollectible.

2. Material Requirements except for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas

2.1 Passport

Original passport whose validity period is no less than six months and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.

2.2 Visa Application Form and Photo

One Visa Application Form completed online (please print out the full form, 7 pages in total, preferable double sided) with one original photo same as the one in the application form.

2.3 Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)

If you don't apply for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you are required to provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal staying provided by the relevant authorities of the country where you are currently staying.

2.4 Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens who used to be Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)

If you apply for a Chinese visa for the first time, please provide your previous Chinese passport and a photocopy of its data page.

If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page.

2.5 In addition to the visa documents in 2.1 to 2.4, the following types of documents shall be submitted:

2.6 After December 1, 2023, Malaysian citizens will still be able to apply for  multiple entry visa with duration of stay exceeding 15 days under L, M, Q2 and S2 categories. 

In addition to the visa documents in 2.1 to 2.5 mentioned above, the supporting documents (e.g. photocopies of previous Chinese visas or previous records of travelling to China) for multiple entry visa required are as follows:

(1) 3-month multiple entry L-visa: Itinerary issued by the cruise company.

(2) 1-year multiple entry L-visa: Detailed travel itinerary and corresponding irrevocable air ticket, hotel booking and photocopies of previous Chinese visas and previous records of travelling to China.

(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.

(2) 2-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entry Chinese visa; or photocopies of previous records of travelling to China for more than 3 times within 5 years.

(3) 3-year multiple entry M-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entry Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopies of previous  1-year multiple entry Chinese visa for more than 2 times within 5 years; or photocopies of previous records of travelling to China for more than 5 times within 5 years.

(1) 6-month to 2-year multiple entry Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.

(2) 3-year to 5-year multiple entry Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entry Chinese visa; or photocopies of previous 1-year multiple entry Chinese visa for more than 2 times. 

For visiting family members for a short period:

Multiple entry S2-visa with a validity period not exceeding the validity period of the inviting individual's residence permit.

For private affairs such as inheritance, litigation, having real estate in China, etc.:

(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.

(2) 2-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entry Chinese visa; or photocopies of previous records of travelling to China for more than 3 times within 5 years.

(3) 3-year multiple entry S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entry Chinese visa within 5 years; or photocopies of previous 1-year multiple entry Chinese visa for more than 2 times within 5 years; or photocopies of previous records of travelling to China for more than 5 times within 5 years.

3. Contact Information

3.1 For Visa applications except for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas, please contact Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Submission of applications time: 9:00 to 15:00.

Submission of express applications time: 9:00 to 12:00.

Collection time: 9:00 to 16:00.

a. Address: Level 5 & 6, Hampshire Place Office, Jalan Mayang Sari, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

b. Business Hours: Monday-Friday. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

c.Call: 603 2176 0888 (Weekdays 9:00-16:00)  

d.Fax: 603 2161 2234

e.E-mail: [email protected]

3.2 For Visa applications for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy Visas, Please email the Consular Office of the Embassy at [email protected].

a. Address: 1st Floor, Plaza OSK, 25 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

b. Call: 603 21645272 (Weekdays 9:30-11:30, 14:00-16:00)

c. Fax: 603 21636809

d. E-mail:[email protected]

3.3 For visa applicants in East Malaysia, please refer to the notice on the website of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL APPLICANTS!Complete and detailed procedures and requirements for visa application.

Fill in online form/Appointment/Tracking

• Office Hours & Location
• Legal Information
• About the Visa Centre
• Help by E-MAIL
• Suggestions and Complaints
• 2024/03/26 Holiday Notice - Easter
• 2024/03/22 Relocation Announcement
• 2024/03/15 Notice on Adjusting Fee Collection Procedures
• 2023/12/08 Notice on Cancellation of Visa Application Appointments
• 2023/12/09 The Embassy and Consulates of China in Australia to Reduce Regular Visa Fees
• 2023/10/26 Notice on Termination of Consular Authentication Services

Important Notice

Due to a system upgrade, the website of the Sydney Chinese Visa Application Service Center will be switched to a new website on March 26th (Tuesday) at 20:00. Subsequently, all visa application forms must be completed and submitted on the new website in order to smoothly submit visa applications to our center.

How to Get a Travel Visa & Best Visa Services

W hen you are planning your next vacation, make sure to research to see if the country you plan to visit requires a visa of any sort and which visa services are quickest and cheapest. 

The list of countries that require visas for Americans includes some travel hot-spots, including; Australia , China , India , and Kenya . Even though holders of a United States passport can currently travel to 183 countries and territories without a travel visa, or with a visa on arrival according to Wikipedia.org it’s vital to know if you need to arrange for a visa quite a bit in advance.

Shortcut to Visa & Passport Information

Apply for a Visa for any Country

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Travel Visa Information & Visa Services

U.S. passport owners have the privilege of being able to visit various countries—among them Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Belize, Iceland, and more—without needing a visa. However, a number of international destinations do require that travelers with U.S. passports purchase tourist visas before entering the country. Here’s what you need to know about a few of the more frequently visited countries that require visas from U.S. citizens upon arrival.

One of the last things you might think about is visa requirements when planning your next vacation. 

Visa Requirements

Knowing which countries require a travel visa for U.S. citizens and understanding specific travel visa requirements for the country you plan to visit is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, there is not a set of travel visa rules that apply across the board. Each country that requires a travel visa will have its own requirements, so make sure to do your research and acquire all the documents needed prior to your visit. 

While there are many countries that don’t require a visa for a short stay (usually between 30-90 days), they may require a visa for a longer visit.  

How to Apply for a Travel Visa

For short-term travel, there are a couple of ways to secure a visa. For some countries, you can obtain a visa upon arrival by paying a fee at the airport, which is called “visa on arrival.” Some nations, however, require a visa application and approval before travel. For either scenario, the safest and smartest decision is to secure your visa in advance! There are many services that offer help with securing a travel visa and knowing how to get a visa for any country   can be a long process, so my suggestion is to start early! 

Visa Application Form

Each country has different requirements and their own visa application form. Some visas can be obtained on arrival at the airport, while some visas must be applied for in advance. 

Some visas take just a few days to receive after submission, while others can take several weeks. Again, begin your visa process as early as possible to assure you have no hiccups in your vacation plans.

Check specific entry requirements by country, including Visa requirements on the U.S. State Department’s website  for more details.

Online Visa Application Form

Check the visa requirements for your nationality for every country in the world and discover the visa information you need for your chosen destination and then simply apply for an online visa directly with the country embassy or a company such as onlinevisa.com . 

All the Countries That Require Visas for Americans 

For a full list of countries requiring tourist visas from U.S. citizens, including China, India, Russia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya and more click here .

Indian Visa

You need a Visa to travel to India from the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia (as well as many other countries). Check the rules for your country, but U.S. citizens who want to travel to India for tourist purposes, and who plan to stay no longer than 60 days, may apply for a visa electronically. When I applied for my visa, the system was fairly clunky and I needed to upload a photo and a copy of my passport. I received my Indian visa within two days of applying.

Note, that India’s visa application process changes frequently, so the Indian embassy in Washington, D.C. suggests travelers to their website for updates before planning a trip. As things can change, do up to date research, but as of the writing of this article; a U.S. citizen can apply online for an electronic travel authorization referred to as an “e-Visa” up to four days before arrival in India, but no more than 30 days before travel. The e-Visa costs $100 and is valid for 60 days upon entry to India. (Be prepared to present a printed copy at customs in the international airport.)

Australian Visa

To apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) you must have a valid passport and apply for your ETA with the passport and passport number you will be traveling to Australia with. You can purchase an Australian ETA no later than 24 hours in advance of your departure. Electronic tourist visas are valid for one year and permit multiple stays of up to 90 days in Australia. They currently cost $20 per person.

Russian Visa

To enter Russia, residents of most countries, including the US are required to obtain a visa in advance. In order to get a Russian visa , the first thing you need is an invitation (also known as visa support letter). After that, you can apply for the visa at a Russian consulate, a travel agent or with a visa service company. U.S. citizens can apply for as long as 36 months with a tourist visa.  

Additional Required Paperwork

If you’re planning an international trip with a U.S. passport, be prepared with all of your paperwork. Although each country has different requirements, there are some general rules to observe when planning an international trip:

• Your Passport must be valid for at least 6 months to travel to most international locations and must have at least two blank pages available in your passport.
• You may be asked for  proof of onward travel , which is not a problem if you have a return ticket. If you plan on country-hopping, you’ll need to have proof of your travel plans. You may be refused to board on a flight if you cannot satisfy immigration that you plan on leaving their country. If you’re not sure when you plan on leaving, you can buy an onward flight that is refundable and re-book later.
• Some countries require that you have  adequate medical insurance to cover your stay. Regardless of whether it is mandatory, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance .  
• It is rare, but you may be asked for  proof of funds and will need to satisfy immigration that you can support your travels. This can catch you off guard, and trying to log in to your internet bank on airport Wi-Fi can be a bit frantic. To be prepared, make sure you have a copy of a bank statement or a screenshot on your phone.
• Regardless of whether a country has visa-free access, there are still requirements that need to be met if you’re going to travel abroad. We recommend that you confirm with the relevant embassy before making any travel plans.

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Expanded visa-free policy shows positive results in boosting visits

The number of foreigners coming to China in the first quarter of this year increased by more than three times compared with the same period in 2023, data recently released by the National Immigration Administration show.

In the past few months, China has introduced a number of visa optimization measures, including reducing the content of visa application forms, reducing visa fees, simplifying the examination and approval procedures, and piloting visa-free policies for some countries, providing more convenience for foreigners' travel, work, study and living in China.

Widely welcomed by the international community, these measures demonstrate China's resolve to promote high-level opening-up and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation.

Following the resumption of a 15-day visa-free entry policy for Singaporeans and Bruneians holding ordinary passports for business, tourism, visiting friends and relatives and transit in China on July 26, China again launched a pilot unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on Dec 1, and from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg on March 14.

Up to now, a total of 989,000 travels have been made to China visa-free by people from the 15 countries, accounting for more than 60 percent of the total visits made by foreigners to China, showing an overall upward trend.

The China-Thailand visa exemption agreement came into effect on March 1. According to Ctrip data, on the day the China-Thailand visa agreement came into effect, Thai travel orders to China surged three times year-on-year, an increase of more than 160 percent compared with the day in 2019. Keyword searches on Chinese cities also increased significantly. That an increasing number of Thai people are choosing China as a travel destination is helping further promote exchanges between the two countries. A travel agency in Sichuan province said it has received more than 600 tourists from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand since the beginning of this year, more than double the number during the same period last year.

China's visa-free policy has also been widely welcomed by overseas people looking to expand their business and seek cooperation opportunities in the Chinese market. It is their belief that a series of measures taken by China to facilitate foreigners' visit, including resolving their mobile payment problem, have made their stay in China safer, more comfortable and more convenient.

The visa-free policy has not only promoted rising enthusiasm for overseas people to travel to China, but also enabled people in more countries to have a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China, thus further promoting friendship and people-to-people exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

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