Travel Visa to China – Which One Do You Need?
The Basic Requirements for a Travel Visa to China
China is a country that takes their documents very seriously. When traveling to China, do not try to bypass any of these official document requirements. There are many different kinds of visa to choose from. Each one has specific requirements pertaining to the specific kind of travel visa to China that you apply for.
Learn about the requirements here and get your paperwork in order to explore the mysteries China has to offer.
Passport Requirements for a Travel Visa to China
Let’s start with the basics.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into China. This is a strict requirement, so ensure your passport is up to date.
You need at least two blank pages in your passport for visas. These are necessary for the visa sticker and entry stamps. Even more space is required if your visa allows you to stay in China for a longer period of time.
When I lived and worked in China, my passport received a work visa and a residency permit for the specified time period of my contract. And before I received my official work visa, I had a temporary visa. This one kept me legally able to stay in China and work while I waited for the more permanent one year work visa.
Travel Visa to China Requirements
China requires most foreign nationals to obtain a visa before entering the country. It’s essential to check the latest information on visa requirements and travel advisories, as policies may change. Preparing all necessary documents in advance will ensure a smooth travel experience to China.
Review the information at The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and click on consular services.
The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit. Here are the most common types of visas available.
Tourist Visa (L Visa)
The L visa is for leisure, sightseeing, or visiting friends or relatives.
L Visas are typically issued for stays of up to 30 days per visit. You can apply for a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa, depending on your travel plans.
For the same amount of time and just a little extra cost, the multiple-entry is an excellent choice if you plan to return to China within 10 years. I acquired a 10-year tourist visa in 2017. My visit lasted 3 weeks as I visited with former coworkers and friends.
I’m planning a trip for the end of this year and do not need to worry about getting a new visa. It’s all set.
Necessary documents include a passport, a completed visa application form, passport-sized photo, proof of travel itinerary (like flight bookings), hotel reservations, or an invitation letter from someone in China.
The more documentation you have, the better. My suggestion is to print out these items, and also keep digital copies on your phone and in emails.
Business Visa (M Visa)
The business travel visa to China is for commercial and trade activities.
Business visas are set for stays of 30, 60, or 90 days per visit depending on the invitation letter from a Chinese business.
In addition to the basic requirements of a passport, completed visa application, and a passport-sized photo, this visa needs extra information. A Chinese company or business partner must send an official letter, or you may need to provide proof of previous business dealings.
Work Visa (Z Visa)
This is for taking up employment in China and is mandatory to legally work in the country.
A work visa is the one I received when I traveled to China to work as an ESL teacher. The initial visa is usually valid for 30 days from entry, during which you must apply for a residence permit in China.
Your residence permit is obtained from the local police department in your neighborhood. People who need this kind of document can ask for assistance at their place of work.
Since I started working at the same time as a bunch of other new teachers, we had a contact in the HR department who assisted with all of the legal paperwork. She informed us what documents we needed, when to show up to get the permanent work visa, and where to go for the residency permit.
All of these forms can be confusing so definitely lean on the support available to help you make sense of it all.
Required documents include the passport, completed visa application form, a passport-sized photo, the work permit and an invitation letter from the Chinese employer.
The work permit process is long and involved with many documents and signatures required. Since this is a complicated process, most companies hiring foreigners employ specific people to assist with getting all forms filled out correctly.
Make Sure to Have a Visa for Any Kind of Work
Do not travel to China on any other kind of visa and think you can just start working. If you are caught, you may end up in jail. This is a serious crime in China.
Many teachers go over on a tourist visa and then think they can apply for the work visa. Unscrupulous schools or training centers try to lure new teachers in as cheaply as possible. There are costs associated with following the documentation rules in China and they are trying to avoid them.
Oftentimes, you must be in your home country to start the paperwork process to arrive legally to work in China. It is a process, but so worth it.
List of Documents for a Work Visa in China – Teacher Edition
- resume (or CV) and cover letter
- criminal background check
- 4 year degree
- ESL teaching experience proof
- teaching certification
- letters of recommendation
- medical check in your home country
- copy of passport ID page
- updated passport-style photos
- Chinese embassy address
- scans of any formers Chinese work visas
- completed work visa in China application
What is an Apostille and Do I Need One?
An apostille is a verification of the authenticity of signatures or stamps/seals of a public official. They make sure the signature is from the public office you say it’s from. Once they verify that the form is official and legitimate, they issue an apostille certificate. This certificate is often stamped onto the backside of the document.
Why Do I Need an Apostille?
The certificate is accepted by governments when dealing with foreign documents. In order to accept an apostille, the country must be a member of the 1961 Hague Convention. Between these countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention, apostilles are simply a way to accept that the document and signature are valid.
Code stamped on the certificate uses a specific formula of numbered fields that the participating countries know how to decipher. Language barriers between countries do not matter. Approval is given through the secret code.
Apostilles are usually required on birth certificates, background checks, diplomas, certificates, and other kinds of official documents the Chinese school may want. Just know that China does require apostilles and this can be an additional cost.
This more in-depth example is for an English teacher process, but the process is very similar for other positions as well. Ask the questions, get the requested documents, and work closely with your Chinese contact to make sure everything is in order.
Student Visa (X Visa)
You need a student visa for studying in China, but this is not just for universities.
An X1 visa is for long-term study of more than 180 days. For shorter study periods of up to 180 days is the X2 visa.
An admission letter from a Chinese educational institution and visa application form for foreign students are needed to start the process.
You don’t necessarily have to be enrolled in a university. However, you must be enrolled in some kind of formal education institution.
- Language Schools
- Vocational Schools
- Short Term Programs offered by universities
- Cultural Exchange Programs or other study-related activities
Don’t forget the typical requirements for all visas including the passport, completed visa application, and the passport-sized photos. These are always a must.
Transit Visa (G Visa)
Travelers transiting through China require a transit visa.
For travelers passing through the country, you may need a transit visa while still in China. These short-term visas are valid for a time period of 72-144 hours. This is 3-6 days in plain English.
In certain cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, you may qualify for a 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit if you’re traveling to a third country. Specific conditions apply, so it’s best to check the latest details.
If China is a layover on your journey, then a transit travel visa to China allows you to explore the country for a few days and then continue on your way.
The typical documents are needed in addition to proof of onward travel to another country. This can be in the form of flight tickets, or even a bus, train, or boat ride out of China to another destination country.
Family Visit Visa (Q Visa and S Visa)
These visas are for visiting family members who are Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in China.
Q Visa
You need a Q visa for visiting relatives who are Chinese nationals or foreigners with permanent residence. It is further divided into Q1 (for long-term stays over 180 days) and Q2 (for short-term stays up to 180 days).
S Visa
If visiting family members who are working or studying in China you need the S visa. It is divided into S1 (for long-term stays over 180 days) and S2 (for short-term stays up to 180 days).
Once again, the typical documents are required. You will also need an invitation letter from the family member in China, and proof of relationship (like a birth certificate or marriage certificate).
Be aware that these documents may need further approvals of apostilles or notaries. Make sure to check the current requirements when you’re planning your trip.
Extra Health and Safety Tips for Traveling to China
These extra tips will provide more information to you while planning your trip to China. The more information you have at your disposal, the easier your trip will be.
Covid-19
As of now, China may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, a negative PCR test, or other health documentation upon arrival. It is important to check current regulations closer to your travel date, as these requirements can and do change frequently.
Chinese citizens often wear face masks on the street. They do this to keep themselves protected from others, and to prevent the spread of germs if they feel sick. Some people wear them as protection from the pollution on the busy city streets.
Travel Insurance
While not mandatory, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including COVID-19-related treatments if you are requested to take a test.
Special Administrative Regions
Hong Kong and Macau have different entry requirements. If you plan to visit these regions, check the specific entry requirements for each.
Application Process for a Travel Visa to China
You can apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country or through a visa service center authorized by the Chinese government.
Generally, visa processing takes about 4-5 business days, but expedited services are available for an additional fee. Be prepared for delays and make sure to give yourself enough time in advance to get these steps done.
I applied for and was granted a work travel visa to China twice, and both times took longer than 4-5 business days. You must account for the time gathering the required documents together and then sending them out for approval. Then you must wait for that process to be completed before they are returned to you.
A few short business days sounds wonderful, but in my opinion and experience, not likely. Give yourself a cushion of time to allow for mailings, holidays, delays, and waiting for bureaucracy to slowly move through its required steps.
Many steps are involved and they all build and rely upon each other. Patience is definitely a required character trait if you’re ever to get a travel visa for China.
Chinese Embassy and Consulates
The People’s Republic of China maintains one embassy in the United States, This is the embassy in Washington, D.C. There are also 4 consulates in other large cities.
- New York
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
You must choose one of these specific locations when applying for your visa. Check out the exact locations of the embassy and consulates here.
Visa Processing Companies
If you wish to hand over a lot of the burden of jumping through hoops to get your paperwork validated and stamped correctly, I highly suggest using a visa processing service company.
There are companies located all around the United States, so search online for one near you. The costs range from a minimum of $150 and up to and over $500 depending on how many documents are in your visa application packet.
I used a visa service both times I applied to work in China. Getting some of the documents stamped and approved in my home state before sending to the visa company kept my costs down. My home state of Rhode Island is tiny, so driving around to the correct government office wasn’t too time-consuming.
However, if you live in a larger state and are not close to the embassy or a consulate, then using a visa processing service is the way to go. Check them out online and make sure to read their reviews.
Important Details About the Visa Process
Here are a few more tips to help you get your Chinese visa. Remember, patience is definitely a virtue in this whole endeavor.
Application Process
The application process for a travel visa to China involves several steps. First, you need to complete an online application form on the Chinese visa application website.
After filling out the form, you’ll need to print it, sign it, and bring it along with other required documents to the nearest Chinese Consulate or Embassy. Some consulates also require appointments, so it’s advisable to check their specific requirements ahead of time.
It’s important to note that the application process can take several days to weeks, depending on the type of visa and consulate, so plan accordingly.
Patience is definitely a virtue in this process. Plan ahead of time to allow all of the steps to get completed.
Required Documents for a Travel Visa to China
The required documents for a Chinese visa application can vary based on the type of visa.
However, common documents include your passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay and with at least two blank pages), a recent passport-sized photo, a completed visa application form, and proof of residence status if applying from a third country.
Additionally, get extra passport-sized photos. They are used for several forms and documents once in China.
For a Tourist Visa, you may need to provide additional documents like a copy of your flight itinerary and hotel reservations.
Business travelers often need an invitation letter from a Chinese business entity. Ensure all documents are accurate and complete to avoid delays in your application.
Visa Fees and Processing Time
Visa fees for American citizens vary depending on the number of entries (single, double, or multiple entries) and the visa type.
As of now, fees generally range from $140 for a single-entry visa to more for multiple entries. Additionally, the processing time can vary from 4 to 15 business days, depending on the service chosen (regular, express, or rush service).
Be aware that the express and rush services will incur additional fees. It’s best to apply for your visa well in advance of your planned departure to accommodate any unforeseen delays.
Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
A Chinese visa’s validity refers to the period within which you must enter China, while the duration of stay refers to the maximum number of days you can stay in China per entry. For American citizens, a Tourist Visa typically offers a stay of up to 30 days per entry, but this can be extended depending on your circumstances.
For multiple-entry visas, each entry usually allows a stay of 60 or 90 days. Be mindful of your visa’s expiration date and the length of your allowed stay to avoid overstaying, which can result in fines or other penalties.
Special Considerations
If you have a criminal record or have previously overstayed a visa in China, you may face additional scrutiny or even denial of your application.
Moreover, the Chinese government has strict rules about what constitutes lawful activity under each visa category. For example, using a Tourist Visa to conduct business or work is strictly prohibited.
Also, due to the current global situation, entry policies can change rapidly. Always check for the latest travel advisories and entry requirements, especially regarding health declarations and potential quarantines.
Renewal and Extension
If you plan to stay in China longer than your visa permits, you may apply for an extension at the local Exit and Entry Administration Office in China. Ask locals for assistance in locating the office, or get in touch with your HR or college administration for help.
The application should be made at least 7 days before your current visa expires. Keep in mind there is no guaranteed approval for an extension. It is at the discretion of Chinese immigration authorities. You must provide valid reasons for the extension and any supporting documents to increase your chances of approval.
In Conclusion – Getting a Travel Visa to China
There are many steps to getting a travel visa to China and all of them must be completed correctly.
I know it sounds like an insane amount of preparation to just be allowed to visit the country, but it is definitely worth the effort. If you’re traveling as a tourist, I suggest obtaining the 10 year multiple-entry visa for just a little more money. This allows you to return without applying for a new visa for your next Chinese adventure.
By keeping these details in mind, American citizens can better navigate the process of obtaining a Chinese visa, ensuring a smooth and successful application experience. Best of luck and have an amazing time exploring the many facets of China.
Learn more about China with these posts listed below.
Important Tips for Traveling to China Navigating the Great Wall of the Work Visa in China Canton Tower - A Symbol of Progress and Prosperity in Guangzhou Traveling Solo to Yangshuo China Is It Safe to Travel Around China? Zhujiang New Town - Where Culture, Commerce, and Cuisine Collide
