Note: it’s a Chinese government website and will open up in a new window.
If your country or stopover location isn’t listed, it means you’re ineligible.
3. Travel
The L visa is for travel in China. Image by i viewfinder on Shutterstock.
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 China for 30 days. The exception is Tibet, which requires a separate, special permit.
If you’re travelling with a tour group, then your tour agent may get a group tourist visa. This means that you won’t have an individual visa in your passport.
Instead, your tour leader will have a group 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 solo in China then you’ll need to apply for your own L visa.
Special visa arrangement for certain countries
Germans are among the lucky few who can travel visa-free to China in 2024. Image by Wirestock Creators on Shutterstock.
If you’re from countries including Singapore and Brunei, you can enjoy visa-free travel for tourism, as well as business, visiting relatives and friends, or transiting for up to 15 days.
This visa-free arrangement is also being trialed for another group of countries until November 30, 2024.
So, you’re in luck if you’re from one of these countries:
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Spain
- Malaysia
Make sure you come and visit China before the trial finishes!
4. Work
If you want to live and work in China, then you’ll need a Z visa.
You must be invited 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, and most employers will need you to enter the country by the time you’re 55.
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
Canada is one of the participating countries for easy visa processing. Image by Jaimie Harmsen on Unsplash.
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 United States.
If you are American and want a Chinese 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 don’t live anywhere near one of these cities, then you need to pay a visa agent to get the visa on your behalf. Some reputable agents include:
Residents of all other countries not serviced by the China Visa Application Service Center should contact their nearest consulate or embassy.
China tourist visa requirements
For a tourist (L) visa, here are the main things you usually 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 China hotel bookings
- A completed application form.
The requirements may differ slightly depending on where you’re from. Follow the instructions on the application carefully or enlist the help of a visa agent.