About visa

Passport
Generally speaking, before applying for a Chinese visa, an original passport with a validity period of more than 6 months and at least two blank visa pages is required.

How to apply for a Chinese visa
Find out if you need a visa
First, you need to verify whether a visa is required. Generally, it is necessary to apply for a Chinese visa to enter China, unless you meet certain visa exemption policies in China.
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy provides great convenience for transit passengers in China.
Understand what kind of visa you need
There are various types of Chinese visas. Please choose the visa type that suits your situation. If you plan to visit China for tourism, please apply for a tourist visa (L visa).
Prepare the necessary materials
1. Basic materials
A. Passport (with a validity period of more than 6 months)
B. Visa application form and one passport photo
C. Proof of legal stay or residence (applicable to those who do not apply for a visa in their country of nationality)
2. Supporting materials
A. A detailed itinerary indicating dates and places visited
B. Round-trip air ticket order, hotel reservation certificate, etc
C. Invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency (or other officially authorized organization) or individual
The above are the documents typically required.
The Chinese Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Center may request additional documents.
Submit documents and collect fingerprints at the visa center
You can now submit your visa application online to the China Visa Service Center. We recommend that you submit your application at least 4 weeks before your expected arrival in China.
This is the website of the China Visa Service Center: https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle/
There are multiple visa centers distributed across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America, providing high-quality Chinese visa services.

If there is no visa center in your city, you can visit the Chinese embassy or consulate in the relevant consular district. You can either appear in person or have a representative handle the application on your behalf.
Since 2018, visa applicants in an increasing number of countries have been required to provide their fingerprints.
payment
Collecting a visa

Invitation Letter
As required, the invitation letter is one of the main supporting documents you should submit when applying for a visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate. This document will help explain the reason for your visit to China and provide details about the visit.
The invitation letter should be issued by a travel agency, company, or educational institution authorized in China.
Generally speaking, a visa invitation letter should contain information on three main parts, including the inviter, the invitee, and the details of the invitation letter.

 

China's visa-free transit policy
Visa-free transit
Upon approval by the State Council, the National Immigration Administration has decided to further relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy for foreigners from December 17, 2024.
- Extend the duration of stay. The duration of stay for visa-free transit foreigners in the country will be extended from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days).
- Increase applicable ports. 21 new ports have been added as entry ports for 240-hour visa-free transit personnel, bringing the total number of applicable ports from the original 39 to 60.
- Expand the area for stay and activities. The 24-hour visa-free transit policy now applies to 24 provinces (cities, districts) in total, including the original 19 provinces (cities, districts) of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shaanxi, as well as the newly added 5 provinces of Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou.
Eligible countries and regions:
Holders of passports from the following 55 countries/regions can enjoy a 240-hour visa-free transit policy in China.
- European Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia, Norway
- Other European countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus
- American countries: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
- Oceania countries: Australia, New Zealand
- Asian countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia
For details, please refer to the official website of the National Immigration Administration: https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202506/content_7027405.htm
From June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, a visa-free policy will be implemented on a trial basis for holders of ordinary passports from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. From June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, a similar policy will apply to holders of ordinary passports from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Holders of ordinary passports from these nine countries who come to China for business, tourism, visiting friends and relatives, exchanges and visits, or transit for a period not exceeding 30 days may enter without a visa.

Unilateral visa-free policy
Currently, nationals of 38 countries, including Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan, holding ordinary passports, are eligible for visa-free entry to China for business, tourism, visiting friends and relatives, and transit purposes for a duration not exceeding 30 days. Nationals of the aforementioned countries who do not meet the visa-free criteria must still obtain a visa to enter China before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions about Unilateral Visa-Free Policy: https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202505/content_7024754.htm
Fully mutual visa exemption
As of now, China has fully implemented visa exemption with 157 countries. These countries include: Singapore, Maldives, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, United Arab Emirates, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Armenia, and more.