Entering China: visa requirements & entry prerequisites

Have you decided or are still thinking about traveling to China? Then you've already taken the first step towards an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime! From my own experience, I can tell you that this journey will be anything but disappointing. China definitely belongs to one of my all-time favourite places in Asia but oftentimes underlies the assumptions that traveling through- and getting there is too complex or uncertain.

In this article, I therefore like to debunk the myths of lengthy, overly complex visa application procedures by providing an overview and guidance on how to best-prepare for your upcoming travels.

Entering China Content Overview

• Chinese Visa Requirements: do I require a visa for entering China?

• Chinese Visa Application: how, where and when to apply?

• Chinese Visa Application Form: requirements & prerequisites

• The Chinese Visa Application Center: documentary check, finger prints & service fees

First Things First: essentials to clarify up-front

Chinese Visa Requirements: do I require a visa for entering China?

If you are planning to visit China up to 15 days only, you can simply enter the mainland without any visa application (new regulation since December 2023). This applies for tourist travel, as well as business occasions.

Should you plan to stay longer (>14 days), a Chinese visa is required. Unless you have family, business and/or an official invitation from a Chinese citizen, the most common visa to apply for is the tourist visa.

Chinese Visa Application: how, where and when to apply?

In case you require a visa to enter China, the most convenient way is to apply online. To do so, enter the website visitforchina.cn and find your, to your hometown closest, visa application center.

Chinese Visa Application Form: requirements & prerequisites

In order to receive a visa, you must fully fill out, print and sign a pre-prepared visa application form. This form requires for you to take care of several administrative tasks up front, such as:

• Proof of your complete travel itinerary (arrival- and departure date & time, flight tickets, proof of hotel stay & number of nights)

• Recent, in-color passport photo (please check requirements up front, which are to be found on the website, such as 48mm x 33mm!)

• A remaining passport validity of at least 6 months at entry-date

• Ensuring that your passport has two free opposite pages for the Chinese visa to be placed

Furthermore, you will be asked in detail about your personal background & profession, salary income/financial resources, family- and professional counterparts, former countries of visit, etc. There are several pages to be filled to complete the application form fully. Take your time. You do not have to have all information and/or fulfill all requirements in the first place but can save your current progress upon the page to return back later. Usually, handing in your application 3- 6 weeks ahead of travel is sufficient.

The Chinese Visa Application Center: documentary check, finger prints & service fees

Once the application form is completed, you are now ready to go to the visa application center. To do so, usually no appointments have to be fixed. Simply show up, pull a number and await to be called out to a service counter. Take all documentary with you to apply for the visa. These include:

• Your visa application form

• Your recent passport photo (I put one onto my application form and another spare one in my folder, just to be sure)

• A copy of your passport (front- and back side)

• A copy of your hotel stays (name, address, number of nights need to be visible on print-outs)

In case you forget to bring required documents, such as the print-outs of your accommodation, you do have the possibility (for monetary charge, of course) to print your missing documents on-site.

Your documents will now be checked at the service counter. Next, you will have to do finger prints with both hands, prior to proceeding to the visa payment.

Your passport will be kept for the final visa creation and be handed-back upon pick-up.

Now, it is time to wait. Normally, you are able to pick up your final visa within 1 to 3 weeks from the visa application center, together with your passport. You can also ask for postal sending in case you do not wish to pick up your visa & passport from the visa application center yourself. However, please consider that this method is charged with an extra amount of money.

All set? Then let's move on to the more enjoyable part: planning your on-site activities!

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