Are you planing a trip to China and wondering if you need a visa to visit China? Take it easy, China Discovery helps you work out all travel arrangements, including the very important Chinese Visa issue.
China Visa policy varies from different nationalities, destinations and particular travel itinerary and ways of visiting. Normally, foreign nationals need a Chinese Visa to enter and travel around China ahead of departure. Meanwhile, there are some exceptions visitor can visit China without a visa, if you meet China visa free policy of 144 hour and 72 hour visa free transit or other visa-free cases.
It’s a priority to find out if you need a visa for China, thus, you should know the two essential rules about China Visa: China Visa Free Policy and China Visa is Must Required. China Visa Free entry does not mean China Visa is not required all the time. It is only apply to specific citizens, appointed visiting cities or regions with limited duration of stay. If you apply for a Chinese visa, basically you can visit mainland China. Special administrative regions like Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet have separate visa and permit regulations that differ from China Visa. We suggest you read Visa Exemptions first to see if you enjoy visa-free travel to China.
Currently, there are up to 15 kinds of China visa free regulations. Once you meet one of the situations, you can enter China without applying for a visa prior to departure. Check the following details to decide if a visa is required for your visit to China.
① Visa Waiver for Singapore, Brunei and Japanese Citizens
② Hong Kong SAR Visa Free
③ Macau SAR Visa Free
④ Visa Free Transit in China
⑤ Hainan Visa Free for 59 Countries for 30 Days
⑥ Visa-free Group Tour to Pearl River Delta from HK/Macau for 6 Days
⑦ Visa Free for APEC Business Travel Card Holders for 60 Days
⑧ Visa-free Group Tour of ASEAN Nationals to Guilin for 6 Days
⑨ Visa-free Cruise Group Tour Entering from Shanghai for 15 Days
⑩ Mutual Visa Exemption between China and Foreign Countries
⑪ Visa Free for China Residence Permit Holders
⑫ Special Visa Free in China Boder Areas
After checking the visa free policy of China, it’s clear that you are required to hold a China visa to enter China if they don’t meet any one situations above. You should know mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau own different visa regulations, and Tibet requires special travel document for tourism. So you need to apply for relevant visa based on your purpose, destination and duration of your visit to China.
⑴ Visa for Mainland China
⑵ Visa for Hong Kong SAR
⑶ Visa for Macau SAR
⑷ Visa and Travel Permits for Tibet
Read different types of Chinese Visa to figure out which kind of visa you should apply for. Determine if you are suitable applicants for each visa type, by judging your purpose of visiting is for travel, business, work, transit, family reunion and etc or not. China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is for visitor going to China for tourism, F Visa is for exchanges, study tour, Business Visa (M Visa) is for commercial and trade, Student Visa (X Visa) is for studying in China. More Chinese Visa Types >>
According to various visa policy, applicants meet relevant requirements can submit China Visa application at Chinese Embassy, Diplomatic and Consular Missions or special ports of entry. You need to prepare and submit your valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity and blank pages, copy of passport’s first page, completed visa application form pasted with 2 recent photos (color photo with white background, taken within past 6 months, size: 48mmx33mm), sufficient visa fee and service charge and other supporting documents. How to Apply for Visa for China >>
The processing time differs from visa types. Normally, it takes about 4 to 5 business days for applicant to get a China Visa, and the accurate collection date will be noted on the pick-up slip. If you submit China Tourist Visa (L Visa) on Monday, you can pick up on Thursday. Check carefully the visa type, duration of stay, number of entries if they are issued correctly or not, after getting your passport back. Double check the validity when you plan to enter China, otherwise you will be denied entry.
Nowadays, it’s quite popular for international tourists to take advantage of the Visa Free Policy of China to travel to China in a very simple and convenient way. Most travelers would like to visit Hong Kong and major tourist cities in mainland China by making full use of the 72 Hour and 144 Hour Visa Free Transit. Therefore, you can firstly have a stopover in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Xiamen, Kunming, Tianjin, Wuhan ... for 6 days without a visa, or have a 3 days visa-free stay in Xian, Guilin, Chongqing, Harbin and else cities. Later you can continue flight trip to Hong Kong and spend a few days to discover fascinating skyline of the World City. Duration in Hong Kong depends on your nationality.
Select from our most recommended visa-free tour of Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin and Hong Kong below. You are also free to contact us for more China visa-free city tours and destinations!
Popular China Visa-free Tours:
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
Guilin / Yangshuo / Longsheng
Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once enquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.
Customize a Trip
[Important] Travel News for Expats: China travel is reopening now! Travel with China Discovery and learn about where to visit & requirements for each destination! Read Details >
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from north east to south west”
1370+ Reviews
