The PRC follows the international system and issues visas according to its
laws and regulations which may be modified from time to time. The
information provided on this page is about entry to the PRC mainland only:
it does not include entry rules for Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. In some
limited situations visa is not required, but most foreign travellers need
one. Generally, travellers requiring one must obtain it prior to travel, but
there are a few exceptions.
Foreign travellers holding connecting tickets to pass through China are
exempt from visa requirements provided they stay in the transit area of the
airport for a no longer than 24 hours.
Visas can be issued for various durations; immediate or later start dates,
and allow one, two (dual), or multiple entries. Any exit from the mainland
of the PRC, including to Hong Kong and Macau will require that you have a
valid entry to the mainland to permit you to re-enter. Otherwise you will
need to apply for a new one at a consulate (or equivalent in Hong Kong)
before entry is permitted.
The Chinese visa is usually a paper sheet glued into your passport but it
can occasionally be a rubber stamp.
Read more about China Visas
How to Get a China Visa?
You should apply for a China visa at the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate by following these simple steps:
- Choose which type of visa you need to apply for. Determine which visa type you need depending on the purpose of your visit to China, and check whether you are eligible for it.
- Book an appointment with the Chinese embassy or consulate. You must locate the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. You should make an appointment weeks beforehand because, depending on your nationality, the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate might be in a neighboring country.
- Complete the application form. You can find the application form online. Choose which application form is applicable to you depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Download the form and fill it out truthfully. Then put it together with the other required documents.
- Collect the required documents. The list of documents will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, but the standard list of documents can be found in the section under “What Are the Requirements for a China Visa?”.
- Attend the visa appointment. At the appointment, you will have to submit the application form with the required documents and have collected your biometric information. In addition, certain applicants will go through an interview. Children under the age of 14 and adults above the age of 70 are not required for biometric information collection. All documents will be mailed back to you in the return envelope.
- Pay the application fee. The visa application fee depends on the type of visa, the number of entries, and your nationality.
- Wait for a decision from the embassy or consulate. The processing time for a China visa is approximately 4 working days. But, if you pay extra fees for express service, you can expect your visa to be processed in 3 working days.
- Collect your passport and visa. After your application has been approved, you can go back to the embassy or consulate and get your passport, which has your China visa.
Note: ICIT will only offer the invitation letter as a participation proof,
which is not used for visa application. For the visa application, it's
better for you to apply for the tourist visa. If you need the materials for
visa application, we can offer the help, but not responsible for your visa
application. Thanks for your understanding and attention!