Here we update the newest China visa information to keep you better know China visa policy and help you plan an excellent trip to China!
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Update Date: August 24, 2022
From 00:00 August 24, 2022, holders of valid APEC Business Travel Cards and foreign students holding valid Chinese residence permits for study are allowed to enter China with no need of applying for new visas. Besides, China will also resume accepting Study X1-Visa applications from foreigners applying to study in China for more than 180 days.
Family members (spouse, parents, children under the age of 18, parents-in-law) of foreign students holding valid study (X1) visas or study residence permits, can apply for a private affair (S1 or S2) visa for family reunion.
Update Date: April 20, 2021
On April 12, Hong Kong SAR government renewed the entry restriction for Non-Hong Kong residents as follows:
1.Non-Hong Kong residents who visited places other than mainland China, Macao, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore in the past 14 days or on the same day will denied entry.
2.Upon entry, all visitors must comply with the quarantine. If the planned length of stay, visa validity or free-visa duration is shorter than the quarantine time, the entry will be refused.
Update Date: March 30, 2021
According to official notice on March 15, foreigners reside in Macau, permanent and non-permanent both included, can apply for all types of Chinese Visa to visit China. All applicants must provide a proof of at least 28 days’ continuous stay in Macau before submitting the application. Besides, foreigners who have been vaccinated the Chinese-made COVID-19 Vaccines, finished 2 doses or over 14 days after the first dose, and take a valid certificate of vaccination issued by Macau Health Bureau can also apply for all categories of visas to visit China.
Please note that, all qualified applicants are required to fill out an application and make reservation for specific submission date online. For more helpful details, please refer to the official website (http://www.fmcoprc.gov.mo/eng/lsfw/zytz/t1860982.htm) for further guidance and check.
Update Date: March 15, 2021
Chinese Embassies in America, Canada, Japan, Thailand, Pakistan, Philippines, Israel, Gabonaise and some countries have announced new visa facilitation for applicants who have vaccinated the Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines. The policy applies to the following applicants:
1.) Visitors visiting China for resuming work, business, visit, etc can prepare documents and visa application mentioned before the pandemic.
2.) Visitors for urgent humanitarian needs (like family reunion) can apply for China Visa.
3.) Holders of APEC Business Travel Card can apply Chinese Business Visa (M Visa) with valid APEC Business Travel Card, invitation letter from Chinese company and other supporting materials.
You can contact local Chinese Embassy or Chinese Visa Application Service Center for detailed application guide and procedure helps.
Update Date: March 4, 2021
1.China has issued International Travel Health Certificate to facilitate the returning to China and outbound travel of Chinese citizens on March 8, 2021. Related application needs to be submitted through a applet of WeChat.
2.The European Commission has announced a Digital Green Certificate (some called Vaccine Passport) on March 17, 2021 to offer safe free movement between member states. The proposal is scheduled to implement on June to promote summer travel.
Besides, ASEAN and many countries also propose to start the Vaccine Passport to resume cross-border travel as soon as possible.
Update Date: March 4, 2021
China has resumed some international flights for permitted entry since last year. So far, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming and a few cities offers international flights for specific visitors. Connecting flights from Hong Kong to other Chinese Cities is still unavailable. If you already got an Chinese Visa and hold a valid Chinese Residence Permit for work, family reunion, private affairs, better contact Chinese Embassy or consulate in your country (city) for further entry regulations and advice, for many airlines and Chinese city require strict healthy procedures.
Update Date: June 9, 2020
China-Singapore Fast Lane has been implemented since June 8 2020 to offer convenience for essential business and official travel between China and Singapore. Singapore residents, including Chinese citizens working permanently in Singapore can apply for this new channel for the above two purposes to reach Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces without the 14-day quarantine.
You can visit Chinese Embassy in Singapore (http://www.chinaembassy.org.sg/eng/lsfw/fhqz/t1788677.htm) to check detailed requirements, application process and helpful tips.
Update Date: November 5, 2020
On November 4 and 5, Chinese Embassy in UK, France, Russia, Belgium, Philippines, India, Ukraine and Bangladesh have announced that, non-Chinese nationals’ entry into China will be suspended if he/she comes from above countries though holding a valid Chinese Visa or Residence Permit. It’s a temporary measure under the tough pandemic period and Chinese government will make adjustments and make notice based on the epidemic situation. Visitors from other countries can refer to entry news updated on September 23, 2020.
If you are citizens from the mentioned nations, you can still enter China as long as you apply to one of the three cases: 1. hold diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas; 2. visit China for emergency needs can apply for Chinese Visa; 3. hold Chinese Visa newly issued after November 3, 2020.
Update Date: November 4, 2020
From November 6, visitors from America, France, Germany, Thailand, India, Singapore, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa and other countries must take Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) and Antibody Detection Assay within 48 hours before boarding, if you plan to visit mainland China. Passengers need to do the same tests in the transit country/region if you will make a stopover.
Update Date: October 7, 2020
From 10:00am October 7, 2020, visitors getting from Hong Kong to Mainland China via Shenzhen Bay Port and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port are compulsory to hold the official negative Nucleic Acid Amplification made within 24 hours and accept a mandatory 14-day centralized medical quarantine after entry.
Update Date: September 23, 2020
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration of China has announced an adjustment of the current entry policy. From 00:00 September 28, 2020, foreign visitors holding valid Chinese residence permits in three categories (work-Z Visa, personal matters - S Visa and family reunion - Q Visa) can enter China without reapplying for a China Visa. If your residence permit already expired after 00:00 March 28, 2020, and your purpose of visiting China remains the same, you can submit the overdue permit and related materials to apply for a new China Visa. Please note that all foreigner visitors must strictly comply with China’s regulations on epidemic prevention and control.
Meanwhile, China’s temporary suspension of entry policy issued on March 28 continues to be implemented. That is, the On-arrival Visa (Port Visa), 24/72/144-hour Transit Visa Free, Hainan 30-day Visa Free, Shanghai 15-day Visa Free for Cruise Group Tourists... will all be suspended during the coronavirus period. You can enter China if you belong to one the three situations: hold diplomatic, Service and Courtesy, C Visa; granted China Visa for scientific/technological matters, urgent humanitarian needs and new Chinese Visa issued after March 28, 2020.
China Discovery will still focus on and update the visa and entry policy of China for you!
Update Date: September 2, 2020
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, over 100 nations worldwide has carried out entry restrictions on foreign visitors. In this difficult time, Chinese Embassies abroad only accept application for necessary economic, trade, scientific research and urgent humanitarian needs. We will pay close attention to the visa policy and keep updating. We want to back to normal life as much as you do. May you stay healthy. And, very appreciate your understanding and patience!
Update Date: August 12, 2020
Visitors who are not confirmed COVID-19 patients, suspected patients, close pandemic contacts or without fever and respiratory symptoms, or hadn’t been oversea countries/regions within 14 days can enter China from Macau, without making the 14-day medical observation. Necessary entry documents include valid travel certificate, negative Nucleic Acid Amplification within 7 days or qualified health code (quarantine is required if you don’t have any of them).
Update Date: March 27, 2020
According to the current situation of COVID-19 world wide, China has announced to temporarily suspend foreigner’s entry to China from 0:00am, on March 28, 2020, if the visitor hold a Chinese Visa issued before March 28, 2020 (though his/her Chinese Visa and Residence Permit is still valid).
Besides, many visa policies, including the On-arrival Visa (Port Visa), 24/72/144-hour Transit Visa Free, Hainan 30-day Visa Free, Shanghai 15-day Visa Free for Cruise Group Tourists... will also be suspended during the Coronavirus period.
Three exceptional cases can get normal entry: 1.) Diplomatic, Service and Courtesy & C Visa holders; 2.) Visitors coming to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific/technological matters, urgent humanitarian needs with granted Chinese Visa by overseas Chinese Embassy and Consulate; 3.) Visitors who hold a valid Chinese Visa issued after the date of the announcement (March 26, 2020).
Please notice and adjust you travel plan to China. Take good care of yourself!
Update Date: March 25, 2020
● From March 25, 2020, the entry to Macau for all foreign nationals and Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwan residents who had been to overseas countries/regions will be denied.
● Macau International Airport (MFM) will stop all transit services from March 25, 2020.
● Since March 25, visitors who went to Hong Kong and Taiwan within 14 days prior to arrival in Macau must take 14-day quarantine at designed places.
Update Date: March 25, 2020
● According to Hong Kong SAR Government, non-Hong Kong residents’ entry to Hong Kong remains prohibited since the policy had been effective from March 25, 2020.
● Residents from Mainland China, Macau, Taiwan must be quarantined 14 days after entry and the entry will be denied if you have been to overseas countries/regions before arrival in Hong Kong.
● Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) continues to stop all connecting flights and cross boundary land transport until further notice.
Update Date: March 1, 2020
According to the press conference held in March 1, 2020, China National Immigration Bureau announced that, during the special Coronavirus period, for freigners already in China, their Chinese visa can be autumatically extended two months longer for free, if the China Visa will expire during the special days.
It's no need to go and apply for extension at the Public Security Bureau. Also, no fee will be charged. It's legal to stay in China or exit. Urgent services can be provided for medical invovled foreign visitors.
Warm Tips: During your stay in China, please protect yourself well, wear a mask when going out, and wash hands frequently and do essential protective measures. Seek help when feel uncomfortable. China Discovery is always here for help!
Update Date: December 1, 2019.
According to official news, three big changes about China's 144 Hour Transit Visa Free Policy has come into effect to offer more convenience for foreign tourists from December 1, 2019.
① Xian and Chongqing will extend the present 72 hours to 144-Hour Visa-free Transit.
② Using the 144-Hour Transit Visa Free Policy to transit in Chengdu, visitors can travel to more destinations in Sichuan Province besides Chengdu, including Leshan (Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei), Yibin (Shunan Bamboo Sea), Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya'an, Ziyang, Neijing, Zigong, Luzhou, total 11 cities within Sichuna.
③ Ningbo (Zhejiang Province) has begun the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit for air travelers, and allow regional tour in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and all cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, Yangtze River Delta.
Useful Links: Xian 144 Hour Transit Visa Free | Chengdu 144 Hour Transit Visa Free | China 144 Hour Visa Free Transit
Update Date: June 1, 2019
National Immigration Administration of China announced that a new version of China Visa, China Group Visa and China Residence Permit will start to be used for promoting inspection efficiency and enhancing anti-counterfeiting performance, since June 1st, 2019. The biggest new change is that, a color photo of the applicant is added on the left side of visa page (except the Group Visa).
Meanwhile, immigration authorities will stop to issue the current version of China Visa, China Special Economic Zone Tourist Visa, China Group Visa and Foreigners’ Residence Permit of China.
Please notice that previous version of China Visa can be used as long as it has not expire, and the requirements, application procedures and visa fees remain the same as before.
Useful Links: China Visa Requirements | How to Apply for A China Visa | How Much is A China Visa | How to Understand China Visa
Chinese Noncommercial Visit (F) Visa (New Version)
Old Version of China F Visa
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