Getting a visa for your trip to China

In some cases you don’t even need one.

But if you do need one, it’s best to be prepared and apply for it early.

So, whether you’re planning a trip to China or moving there for work or study, here’s a summary on visas and what you need to do.

Do I need a visa for China?

Most foreigners need a visa when they go to China, but there are some exceptions.

Here are the most common scenarios.

1. Layover

Are you on a connecting flight in China?

As long as you stay in the airport, and have a confirmed seat on an international flight within 24 hours, you don’t need a visa.

2. Stopover

You can now see many parts of China for a few days without getting a visa before you leave home.

Known as Visa-Free Transit, it’s a great way of seeing China without the hassle or expense of a traditional visa.

You simply apply for it when you arrive in China, e.g. at the airport.

There are some rules with this visa exemption. For example:

• You need to be transiting through China on the way to another country (e.g. your itinerary is Los Angeles – Shanghai – Tokyo – Los Angeles)
• You can stay for up to 144 hours (six days) depending on where you arrive in China
• And you must be from an approved country.

To find out if you’re eligible for Visa-Free Transit, use the Chinese government’s online checker.

If your country or stopover location isn’t listed, it means you’re ineligible.

3. Vacation

If Visa-Free Transit doesn’t apply to you, or you want to check out China for more than six days, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa.

This is the most common visa for China, and is known as the L visa.

With an L visa, you can travel throughout most parts of China for 30 days.

If you’re travelling with a tour group, then your tour agent may get a group visa. This means that you won’t have an individual visa in your passport.

Instead, your tour leader will have a group tour visa with your name on it. This is a fairly easy way to travel, as you just leave all the visa details to your tour agent.

However, if you want to travel on your own then you’ll need to apply for your own visa.

4. Work

If you want to live and work in China, then you’ll need a Z visa.

You must be invited (i.e. receive an invitation letter) from an employer to apply for a Z visa.

You can get a Z visa for anywhere between 90 days and five years. It depends on the length of your work contract and the discretion of the Chinese consulate you apply to.

You need to be younger than age 60 to work in China as a foreigner.

Once you arrive in China, your employer will help you get a temporary residence permit.

5. Study

Want to study in China? Then you’ll need an X visa.

An X2 visa is for a study period of up to six months, while an X1 visa is for more than six months.

You’ll need to grab a special form from the school, as well as a letter of admission.

How to apply for a China visa

In many countries, the China Visa Application Service Center processes visa applications.

It means you don’t have to visit or post your application to the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy.

So, if you’re from the UK, Canada or Australia (or another one of the 40+ participating countries), simply apply directly at the China Visa Application Service Center.

A notable exception to the list of participating countries is the US.

If you’re American and want a Chinese tourist visa, you’ll need to visit your nearest consulate in person. The locations are Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you live nowhere near one of these cities, you can pay a visa agent to get the visa on your behalf.

Residents of all other countries not serviced by the China Visa Application Service Center should contact their nearest consulate or embassy.

What you need to get a visa

For a tourist (L) visa, here are the main things you’ll need:

• Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining on it)
• Passport-sized photo with a white background
• Proof of your trip, like return airfare and hotel bookings
• A completed application form.

The requirements may differ slightly depending on where you’re from.

If you submit incorrect or incomplete information, your application may be rejected or delayed.

That’s why it’s important to get your application right the first time, especially if you’re traveling in a few weeks’ time.

How much does a Chinese visa cost?

It varies depending on your nationality and the kind of visa you’re applying for.

For example, US citizens can get a tourist visa from $140, UK citizens from £151, and Australian citizens from $109.50.

You can pay a rush fee to get your visa expedited.

Visa exceptions

Not everyone needs a visa to go to China.

The main exceptions include:

• Visa-Free Transit as mentioned above
• You’re traveling from Hong Kong or Macau to the Pearl River Delta region (e.g. Shenzhen or Guangzhou) for up to six days and the trip is arranged by a local travel agency
• You’ve booked a trip to Hainan (with a local travel agency) of up to 30 days, and you’re from an approved country
• You’re from Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Qatar or Armenia (the visa duration depends on the country)
• You’re part of a tour group from an ASEAN country visiting Guilin for up to six days.

Get your visa early

If you do require a visa for China, make sure you apply early as the process can take some time.

The last thing you want to do is run around the week before you leave trying to get everything sorted.

Need help?

Consider getting help from a visa agent.

It’ll cost a bit more than if you do it yourself, but it’ll save you time, effort and worry.