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Discover everything you need to know about China Tourist Visa, from China Visa Free options to detailed application steps, making your journey smooth and exciting!
Recent Updates
June 25, 2024:
China and Poland have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation following a meeting in Beijing. As part of the new measures, China will lift the visa requirement for Polish citizens, allowing them to visit China visa-free for up to 15 days.
June 17, 2024:
China announced that it will grant visa-free access to citizens of Australia and New Zealand for stays of up to 15 days. This policy was confirmed during discussions with representatives from both countries. Read this: “Exciting News: China Visa-Free Policy Will Include Australia and New Zealand”.
In this article, you will find:
Note:
In this article, “China Visa” specifically refers to the China Mainland Visa. Since Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan have their own independent border control policies, standard Chinese visas are only valid for mainland China. They do not apply to Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan. Therefore, travelers must obtain separate visas for Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan if they plan to visit these regions.
Last update: June 20, 2024
Three China Tourist Visa Policies You Need to Know
China offers various visa policies to travelers from around the world and continually strives to provide more convenience. Currently, the travel visa policies here can be categorized into three types:
Visa Exemption,
144/72/24-hour Visa-Free Transit,
and the standard Tourist Visa (L Visa).
The application process and requirements vary based on the visitor’s nationality. Here is a detailed guide on how to navigate the tourist visa application and exemptions for different nationalities.
Visa Exemptions
First things first, if you hold an ordinary passport from one of the following countries, congratulations! You can currently enjoy the visa-free travel policy. Enjoy!
90 days
60 days
30 days
15 days
 Australia |  Austria |  Belgium |
 Brunei |  France |  Germany |
 Hungary |  Ireland |  Italy |
 Japan |  Luxembourg |  Netherlands |
 New Zealand |  Spain |  Switzerland |
However, Japanese visitors should note that this policy has been suspended. Hopefully, it will be reinstated soon.
24/72/144-Hour Visa-free Transit (TWOV)
China permits eligible travelers from certain countries to enter and stay in specific areas without a visa for 24, 72, or 144 hours while transiting to a third country. This allows for short-term stays in designated cities without the need for prior visa application, making travel more convenient for those on brief stopovers.
24-hour TWOV:
Almost all nationalities can stay visa-free for 24 hours during an international transfer. However, the 24-hour policy requires travelers to remain within the city of their arrival. Under such conditions, you won’t be able to have a memorable travel experience. Therefore, if you cannot obtain the 144-hour visa-free policy, we strongly recommend that you apply for a Tourist Visa in advance.
72/144-hour TWOV:
The difference between the 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies lies in the ports of entry. Currently, nearly 40 major international airports and ports in China qualify for the 144-hour visa-free policy. The 72-hour visa-free transit is available only if you enter China through the airports in Harbin, Changsha, or Guilin. Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang Province, Changsha is the capital of Hunan Province, and Guilin is a major city in Guangxi Province. Unless your destination is one of these cities, we strongly recommend entering China through other major cities, as you will have many more options.
For more detailed information, please refer to this article.
We have listed the countries eligible for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies.
- 25 countries in the Europe Schengen area:
- 15 other countries in Europe:
 Albania |  Belarus |  Bosnia and Herzegovina |
 Bulgaria |  Croatia |  Cyprus |
| Ireland |  North Macedonia |  Monaco |
 Montenegro |  Romania |  Russia |
 Serbia |  Ukraine |  United Kingdom |
- 6 countries in the Americas:
- 6 countries in Asia:
- 2 countries in Oceania:
TWOV Important Information to Note:
- Travel Requirements: While enjoying this policy, you must show proof that you are traveling to a third country after leaving China, which means you need to present a connecting ticket to a third country upon arrival in China.
- Travel Restrictions: In principle, travelers are only allowed to move within specific areas on the entry permit and must exit the country through designated ports. Traveling outside the permitted area and exiting through non-designated ports may result in penalties. (However, we have observed that many tourists travel to other regions without encountering issues, indicating that this restriction is often applied flexibly.)
- Exemptions: There are still many situations where you cannot benefit from the transit-free policy:
- Legal and Administrative Restrictions:
- Individuals barred from entering the country according to laws and administrative regulations, including those under sanctions or travel bans.
- Passport Validity:
- Travelers whose passport or other international travel document is valid for less than three months upon arrival, or those with a refusal stamp from a Chinese visa-issuing authority.
- Records of Illegal Activity:
- Individuals with records of illegal entry, exit, residence, or employment in China within the last five years.
- Accommodation Registration Violations:
- Those who have seriously violated accommodation registration regulations within the past two years.
- Legal and Administrative Restrictions:
Tourist Visa (L Visa)
Citizens who are not from the countries above must obtain a Chinese visa before entering China. Applicants can choose to apply either through a travel agency or directly at Chinese diplomatic missions. In some countries, these missions may outsource the handling of applications to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (Visa Center) or the Chinese Visa Application Service Facility (CVASF).
General Requirements for Tourist Visa (L Visa)
- Documents Needed:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- A completed visa application form.
- Recent passport-sized photos.
- Proof of travel arrangements (such as round-trip flight tickets).
- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a host in China).
Application Process
In most cases you can visit the website of Chinese Visa Application Service Center for the most detailed info of Visa application. Click here and then select your country/region and city, you will find the process and a Checklist for Tourist Visa (L-Visa) Application.
- Prepare Documents: Passport, visa application form, photos, proof of travel arrangements, and accommodation.
- Submit Application: At Chinese embassies, consulates, or visa application centers.
- Processing Time: Typically 4-5 business days.
Some Country-Specific Policies
- United States:
- Eligible for 10-year multiple entry tourist visas.
- Requires detailed travel itineraries and proof of travel.
- Processing time is typically 4-5 business days.
- Canada:
- Similar to US policies, eligible for 10-year multiple entry visas.
- Requires detailed travel itineraries and proof of travel.
- Angola, Argentina:
- Multiple-entry visas may be available.
- United Kingdom:
- Eligible for multiple entry visas with a maximum stay of up to 180 days per entry.
- Requires proof of travel arrangements and accommodation.
- Australia and New Zealand:
- Similar policies to the EU, with multiple-entry options often available.
- Requires proof of travel and accommodation details.
- Russia:
- Single-entry visas are common, with the possibility of multiple-entry visas for frequent travelers.
- Requires detailed travel itinerary and proof of accommodation.
Tips for Travelers
- Validity and Duration: Tourist visas are usually valid for 3-6 months, allowing stays of 30-60 days per entry.
- Special Permits: Additional permits are required for travel to sensitive regions like Tibet.
FAQ: Chinese Tourist Visa
Can I Travel Visa-Free to China?
Visa-free travel is available for:
- Citizens of Singapore, France, Gemany and many countries for 15 to 90 days, according to the Visa Exemption policy.
- Citizens of the US, Canada, Russia and many countries for 24, 72, or 144 hours depending on the city of arrival, according to the Visa-Free Transit (TWOV) policy.
- Visitors to Hainan Province from 59 countries for up to 30 days.
What About Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan?
Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan have separate visa policies. Many nationalities, including the US, Canada, and EU countries, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
How About Tibet?
Travel to Tibet requires a special permit in addition to the Chinese visa. Permits are typically arranged through local tour operators.
How to Apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa
- Prepare required documents: passport, visa application form, photo, proof of travel arrangements, and accommodation.
- Submit application at Chinese embassies, consulates, or visa application centers.
- Wait for processing, which typically takes 4-5 business days.
How Much Does a China Tourist Visa Cost?
The cost varies by nationality and number of entries. For US citizens, a single-entry visa is around $140. Fees for other nationalities range from $30 to $90 for single-entry visas. Nationals from some countries can have their application fees waived or reduced because of reciprocal visa facilitation agreements.
How Long Is a Chinese Visa Valid For?
Tourist visas are generally valid for 3-6 months, with a maximum stay of 30-60 days per entry. Multiple-entry visas can be valid for up to 10 years for certain nationalities (e.g., US, Canada).
Can I Extend My Chinese Visa?
Yes, visa extensions can be applied for at local Public Security Bureau (PSB) offices in China. Applications should be made at least seven days before the visa expires, and extensions are usually granted for an additional 30 days.
