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Most travelers to China are required to get a China tourist visa, L visa for short, which allows them to travel freely in most parts of China as tourists, assuming that they do not qualify under the visa-free policies of China.
Passports, application form, and documents showing the itinerary or an invitation letter from China are the essential application documents.
In most cases, a tourist can get a single entry L visa with a stay duration of 30 days.
When applying yu can ask for a 60-90 day visa, and the consulate will consider your application if supported by necessary documents r explanation.
UK, US, Canadian, and Argentine citizens are able to get a 10-year China tourist visa with multiple entries.
The process is not complicated if you follow the guidelines below.
China Tourist Visa Requirements & Documents
1. Passport
Your passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and available blank pages, and a photocopy of passport’s data page
2. Application Form
One accurately completed China Tourist Visa Application Form.
Please fill in every column of the application form, using “N/A” if not applicable.
If the application form is not filled out truthfully, completely and legibly, there could be a delay in processing or refusal of the application
3. Recent Photo
A recent passport-size color photo with white background attached to the application form
4. Round-trip Tickets Plus Hotel Bookings or Invitation Letter from China
- Documents showing the itinerary including proof of round trip tickets booking and proof of hotel reservation.
- Or, if you are being invited to China, you can submit an invitation letter issued by the inviter, whether it’s an entity or individual, with the following information:
a. Information on the applicant, including full name, gender, and date of birth.
b. Information on the planned visit, including arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit.
c. Information on the inviter, including name, contact number, address, official stamp, and signature of the legal representative of the entity or the inviting individual
5. Other Supporting Documents
- For those not applying in their country of citizenship, proof of legal stay or residence status is required.
- In some cases, applicants may need to submit a certification letter from the employer of the applicant with details as follows: name and contact number of the employer, the applicant’s income statement, or original copy of the recent 6-month bank statement of the applicant.
- Applicants who intend to travel to Tibet must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, which can be obtained from the Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region by travel agencies
How to Get a Chinese Tourist Visa
With all the required documents at hand, you can go to Chinese embassies, consulates, Chinese diplomatic missions, or a Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) if there are any in your country to submit the application in person.
If you can’t go personally, you can entrust someone else, such as a travel agency or a visa agency to act on your behalf. An appointment is not mandatory.
Applications by mails are not accepted and will be refused at most Chinese embassies or consulates.
In countries with CVASCs, applicants may be able to apply by post or submit applications based on an online appointment via the website of CVASC
Go to the place where you apply for a China visa on the date appointed at the pick-up slip. Pay the fee and you will get your passport back with visa.
The best time to apply for a Chinese visa is one or two months before your departure date. Usually, a China visa is valid for only three months from the date of issue, which indicates that the earliest time you can apply is three months before your departure.
Processing Time
It normally takes 4 working days for processing a China travel visa.
For express service, an additional fee of USD 20 will be charged for two or three working day service.
For rush service, an additional fee of USD 30 will be charged for same-day service
Chinese Tourist Visa Cost
The visa costs vary depending on your nationality and number of entries.
China Visa Price List for Some Major Countries:
| Country | 1 Entry | 2 Entries |
| Australia | AUD 109.5 | AUD 139.5 |
| Brazil | BRL 460 | BRL 460 |
| Canada | CAD 142 | CAD 142 |
| France | EUR 126 | EUR 126 |
| Germany | EUR 125.45 | EUR 125.45 |
| India | INR 5,552 | INR 7,502 |
| Ireland | EUR 40 | EUR 60 |
| Italy | EUR 127.1 | EUR 127.1 |
| Japan | JPY 8,000 | JPY 10,000 |
| Netherlands | EUR 126.55 | EUR 126.55 |
| New Zealand | NZD 140 | NZD 210 |
| Mexico | MXN 730 | MXN 1,090 |
| Poland | PLN 220 | PLN 220 |
| Russia | SUR 3,300 | SUR 6,600 |
| Singapore | SGD 85 | SGD 95 |
| Spain | EUR 126.55 | EUR 126.55 |
| United Kingdom | GBP 151 | GBP 151 |
| United States of America | USD 140 | USD 140 |
China Tourist Visa Extension
If you need to stay in China past the allowed stay duration on your visitor visa, you can apply for an extension at the local Exit and Entry Administration of China seven days before your L visa expires.
Your passport, a visa application form with your recent color photo attached, a registration of temporary residence, and your travel itinerary will be required for submission.
If your application is approved, you can get an extended stay not exceeding the original stay duration on your visa.
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