Everything You Need to Know About Chinese Visas: Complete Guide (2025)

China has significantly eased its entry rules in recent months. Between short-term visa exemptions and digitalized procedures, here’s everything you need to know to cross the Great Wall smoothly.

1. Visa Exemption (The 30-Day Rule)

Good news for travelers: from November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, nationals of several countries (including France, Belgium, and Switzerland) are exempt from visas for stays under 30 days.

Allowed purposes: Tourism, business, family visit, or transit.

Requirement: Hold a regular passport valid for at least 6 months after entry.

Number of entries: Unlimited during the validity period (each stay must not exceed 30 days).

🛂 2. Different Types of Chinese Visas (Stays > 30 Days)

If you plan to stay in China for more than a month, especially for specific activities like work, study, or extended family visits, a simple tourist visa is not enough. There are several visa categories, each with its own requirements and documents.

🔗 All applications must go through the official websites of Chinese consulates/embassies in your country:

• USA / UK / Australia / Singapore / India:
  Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC)

🇨🇳 L Visa – Tourism (Long Stay)

📌 Purpose
Allows tourist stays over 30 days (up to 60–90 days depending on the embassy).

📄 Required Documents

• Chinese visa application form
  👉 Official download (PDF)

• Original passport, valid for at least 6 months after planned return

• Recent passport photo in required format

• Proof of stay: hotel bookings, round-trip flight tickets

• Detailed travel itinerary

💡 Notes
✔ The L visa does not allow employment in China.
✔ Possible to extend your stay locally under certain conditions.

💼 M Visa – Business

📌 Purpose
For commercial or professional non-salaried activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations, trade fairs, etc.).

📄 Required Documents

• Application form: https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/Form

• Passport + photo

• Invitation letter from a Chinese company
  Example content:

  • Name and contact of inviting company

  • Purpose of invitation

  • Planned dates
    Some embassies require an official template:
    https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/shownews

• Proof of professional activity: employer letter, business license, etc.

💡 Good to know
✔ Does not allow salaried work in China (for that, a Z visa is required).

👨‍👩‍👧 Q1 / Q2 Visa – Family Visit

📌 Purpose
To visit family members (spouse, children, parents, etc.) legally residing in China.

📄 Required Documents

• Application form: https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/Form

• Passport + photo

• Proof of family relationship: birth certificate, marriage certificate

• Documents of family member in China: residence permit copy, proof of address

• Invitation letter from family in China (full address + phone number)

Visa Duration / Purpose

• Q2 ≤ 180 days: Short family visit

• Q1 > 180 days: Long family visit (residence permit required after arrival)

🎓 X1 / X2 Visa – Study

📌 Purpose
For individuals admitted to a Chinese educational institution.

📄 Required Documents

• Application form: https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/Form

• Passport + photo

• Admission letter from Chinese school (including registration number)

• JW201 / JW202 form (for accredited studies) – provided by Chinese university

• Medical certificate (sometimes required)

Visa Duration / Notes

• X2 ≤ 180 days: Short-term study

• X1 > 180 days: Long-term – must convert to residence permit

👔 Z Visa – Work

📌 Purpose
Required to work legally and receive a salary in China.

📄 Required Documents

• Application form: https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/Form

• Passport + photo

• Chinese Work Permit issued by Chinese authorities

• Academic degrees, CV, proof of experience

• Signed employment contract

• Official invitation letter

🔜 After Arrival
Must convert visa to a work residence permit within 30 days.

📌 Practical Tips

✔ Prepare your documents in advance; some embassies require very complete files.
✔ Requirements vary by country: always check the official Chinese consulate website in your jurisdiction.
✔ A refused visa does not automatically guarantee a refund.

📎 Useful Links

• Official visa forms (all types): https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/Form

• General visa information: https://www.visaforchina.org

• List of typical documents required by embassies: https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/shownews

3. Administrative Procedures: Step by Step

To obtain a Chinese visa (outside the exemption), the process is now almost entirely digital.

Step 1: The Online Form

Go to the official Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) website for your country. You will need to complete a very detailed form, including professional history, educational background, and family information.

Tip: Allow 30–45 minutes for this step.

Step 2: The Paper Application

Once the form is completed, print it out and prepare the following documents:

• Original passport (with at least 2 blank pages).

• Passport photos that meet Chinese requirements (very strict: white background, no jewelry, ears visible).

• Proof of travel: round-trip flight tickets and hotel bookings (or invitation letter).

• Travel insurance: not mandatory but highly recommended.

Step 3: Submitting Your Application at the Visa Center

Introduction

After completing your visa application, you must physically visit a Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). It is not possible to send your application by mail or complete the process entirely online.

Where to Submit Your Application? (English-speaking countries)

Applications are handled by the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in your country. Visit the center corresponding to your area of residence.

Centers available:

• USA: Multiple locations (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston)

• UK: London, Manchester

• Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth

• Singapore: Singapore CVASC

• India: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata

🔗 Official CVASC websites:

• USA: https://www.visaforchina.org/USA_EN/

• UK: https://www.visaforchina.org/UK_EN/

• Australia: https://www.visaforchina.org/AUS_EN/

• Singapore: https://www.visaforchina.org/SG_EN/

• India: https://www.visaforchina.org/IND_EN/

📌 Opening hours may vary: always check the center's website.

Mandatory Appointment

Before visiting the center, you must:

1. Make an online appointment.

2. Complete the official visa application form.

3. Print your appointment confirmation.

🔗 Official appointment platform: same CVASC websites above.
🔗 Official visa application form: https://www.visaforchina.org/GUI/Form

On the Day of Submission: What to Bring

At your appointment, you must present:

• Your original passport

• Printed application form

• Conforming passport photos

• All documents specific to your visa type

• Appointment confirmation

• Payment for visa fees

The center staff only checks the completeness of your application.
👉 The final decision is made by the consulate, not the center.

Fingerprints: Current Situation

Good news for travelers 👌

👉 Fingerprinting is suspended until the end of 2025 for:

• Short-term visas (<180 days)

• Single or double-entry visas

Typically affected visas:

• L (tourism)

• M (business)

• Q2 (short family visit)

• X2 (short-term study)

⚠️ Attention: Fingerprints may still be required for:

• Long-term visas (>180 days)

• Multiple-entry visas

• Specific cases decided by the consulate

Processing Times

• Standard processing time: about 5 working days

• Countdown starts the next working day after submission

• Express options may be available at some centers (with additional fees)

Contact for Questions

CVASC Hotlines (English-speaking countries):

• USA (New York): +1 212-244-5200

• UK (London): +44 20-7299-4000

• Australia (Sydney): +61 2-9273-1988

• Singapore: +65 6223-2888

• India (New Delhi): +91 11-4200-8100

4. Arrival Formalities: The Administrative “Survival Kit”

Even without a visa (visa exemption), some procedures are mandatory once you arrive in China.

Registration with Local Police (PSB – Public Security Bureau)

All foreign nationals must register with the local police (PSB).

🔗 Official information – Chinese visa site: https://www.visaforchina.org/

If Staying in a Hotel

• No action required on your part.

• The hotel automatically handles the police registration.

• Your passport is scanned during check-in.

🔗 Official rules – hotel registration for foreigners: http://www.nia.gov.cn

If Staying with Friends or Airbnb

• You must register within 24 hours of arrival.

• Registration is done at your district PSB office.

• In some major cities, online registration is possible depending on the district.

🔗 National Immigration Administration (NIA): http://www.nia.gov.cn
🔗 Example PSB portal (Shanghai – district-specific): https://gaj.sh.gov.cn

📌 Failure to register may result in:

• Fines

• Administrative difficulties

• Problems during future stays

Arrival Card

The Arrival Card is mandatory and must be completed before immigration.

Where to get it:

• Paper version:

  • Distributed on the plane or available before passport control

• Digital version:

  • Accessible via QR code

  • Gradually implemented at major airports: Beijing, Shanghai

🔗 Official information – Chinese Immigration: http://www.nia.gov.cn

Information required on the Arrival Card:

• Full name

• Passport number

• Flight number

• Address of stay in China

• Visa number (if applicable)

💡 Tip: Have the exact address of your first accommodation (in Chinese if possible).

PSB Links by City

🏙️ Beijing

• PSB website: https://gaj.beijing.gov.cn

• Information for foreigners (registration, stay, visas): https://gaj.beijing.gov.cn/eng

📌 Note: Some districts allow online or WeChat mini-program registration, depending on the area.

🌆 Shanghai

• PSB official portal: https://gaj.sh.gov.cn

• Services for foreigners: https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj

📌 Note: Shanghai allows online registration in many districts (via website or WeChat).

🌇 Guangzhou (Canton)

• PSB: https://gaj.gz.gov.cn

• Immigration & foreign registration services: https://gaj.gz.gov.cn/zwfw

📌 Note: Registration usually happens in person at the local PSB office, except for specific local exceptions.

National Reference (all cities)

• National Immigration Administration (NIA): http://www.nia.gov.cn

👉 Central website consolidating rules for all foreigners (registration, stay, entry/exit).

5. Special Cases: Transit and Special Administrative Regions

Introduction

Certain stays in China follow specific rules, especially for international transit or travel to special administrative regions like Hong Kong and Macao. These situations can provide flexibility if you understand the rules.

72h / 144h Visa-Free Transit

General principle:
China allows, under strict conditions, visa-free transit permitting exit from the airport if you are connecting to a third country (different from the country of departure).

Durations:

• 72 hours (3 days)

• 144 hours (6 days)

Cities / zones:

• Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Chongqing (and other extended metro areas)

📌 Important: Stay strictly within the authorized geographic area.

Conditions:

• Valid passport

• Confirmed ticket to a third country (e.g., USA → China → Japan)

• Do not return directly to the origin country

• Enter and exit via authorized points

❌ Note: A round trip USA → China → USA does not qualify.

Upon arrival:

• Go to the Transit Without Visa counter

• Temporary authorization is stamped on your passport

• Duration starts at 00:00 the day after arrival

Hong Kong and Macao: Special Administrative Regions

Status:

• Not part of mainland China visa system

• Each has its own immigration rules

For French citizens (as example):

• Hong Kong: visa-free tourism up to 90 days

• Macao: visa-free tourism up to 90 days

Key point:

• Leaving mainland China for Hong Kong or Macao counts as exit from Chinese territory.

• Consequences:

  • Single-entry Chinese visa becomes invalid after exit

  • Re-entry to mainland requires:

    • Double-entry or multiple-entry visa, or

    • New visa / exemption

📌 Common mistake: Planning Beijing → Hong Kong → Shanghai with a single-entry visa.

AsiaOnTheWay Tip 🧭

Mobile payment is essential in China for:

• Administrative procedures

• Transport

• Hotels

• Fines or visa-related fees

Apps to install before departure:

• Alipay

• WeChat Pay

Recommended:

• Download before departure

• Link an international bank card (Visa / Mastercard)

Why:

• Cash is often refused

• International cards are rarely accepted

• Some local offices require QR code payment

💡 Tip: For visa overstays or unexpected fees, mobile payment is often the only option.

Key Takeaways

✔ Visa-free transit is convenient but strictly regulated
✔ Hong Kong and Macao follow different rules than mainland China
✔ Choosing the wrong type of visa can block your itinerary
✔ Mobile payment is not a convenience—it’s an administrative necessity

Difference Between Transit Visa and Visa Exemption

• Transit visa (G category): formal authorization obtained before departure, allows a short, highly controlled stay within a limited area.

• Visa exemption: entry without prior visa for a fixed duration and specific purposes (tourism or business).

• 72h/144h visa-free transit is a specific type of exemption, only in certain cities with strict conditions.

Visa Exemption List

Stay up to 30 days (Tourism, Business, Family, Transit)

• Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, San Marino

• Asia / Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Malaysia

Stay up to 90 days (Bilateral agreements): Armenia, Albania

Stay up to 30 days (Bilateral agreements): Thailand, Singapore, UAE, Qatar, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan

💡 Key Notes

• Validity: For most European countries (France, Belgium, etc.), temporary measure until December 31, 2025

• Passport: Must hold a regular passport (emergency passports may not be accepted without visa)

• Transit: For non-listed countries, 72h or 144h visa-free transit is still available in major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) with a ticket to a third country

Conclusion: Ready for Your Big Departure?

China has never been more accessible than it is today. Thanks to the visa exemption policy extended until the end of 2025, administrative barriers are fading, leaving room for adventure. Whether you are drawn to the excitement of megacities or the serenity of sacred mountains, the key to a successful trip lies in good preparation beforehand.

Remember, even though entry rules are simplified, the digital organization (mobile payments, VPNs, transport apps) remains crucial for your comfort once on site. Take the time to prepare your digital “survival kit” before you depart!

If you still have a question about a specific case or procedure, leave it in the comments—the AsiaOnTheWay team will gladly help you make your trip a reality.

📍 ASIA ON THE WAY – Practical Information Guide for Asia

🌐 Website: https://asiaontheway.com
📧 Email: contact@asiaontheway.com

💬 Personalized advice, tailor-made itineraries, and local tips for traveling differently in Asia all year round, even off-season.

FAQ: Everything About Getting a Chinese Visa

How do I get a tourist visa for a stay in China?

To stay in China beyond 30 days, you must apply for an L-type visa. Applicants must first complete the online form via the Consulate General website, then schedule an appointment to submit the application. Unlike Russia, an invitation letter is not required for tourism if you provide complete hotel bookings and round-trip flight tickets.

What documents are mandatory for obtaining a visa?

A Chinese visa requires several documents:

• Copy of the passport identity page (valid for at least 6 months beyond planned departure)

• Recent passport photo

• Proof of accommodation

• Travel insurance certificate (repatriation coverage required)

If you are not a Schengen citizen but reside in France, a copy of your residence permit will be requested by the consulate.

Is there an E-visa or simplified travel authorization?

Currently, there is no standard E-visa for individuals like in some other Asian countries. However, the 30-day visa exemption simplifies short-term travel for certain countries. For longer stays, a standard entry visa is required.

⚠️ Do not confuse this with a Schengen visa: China’s entry rules are strict and managed solely by Chinese consular authorities, not by Schengen authorities.

What is the validity and authorized stay period?

• Visa validity: Usually 90 days from issuance to enter China

• Length of stay: A standard short-stay visa typically allows 30–90 days

• Visa exemption holders: Up to 30 days maximum

Overstaying without a valid visa can result in heavy fines upon departure.

Why does the process differ from a Russian visa or a European short-stay visa?

Obtaining a Chinese visa requires specific rigor: unlike a European short-stay visa, the Chinese government requires full traceability of your itinerary.

While the procedure may seem complex, obtaining a Chinese visa is now faster than obtaining a Russian visa. Make sure your passport is in perfect condition so that the tourist visa can be issued without refusal.