China Visa – Requirements and Application
Do I Need a Visa for China?
A visa is required to enter China for all U.S. citizens.
Note, requirements can vary if traveling to Hong Kong or Macao and then mainland China or Hong Kong or Macao exclusively.
Visas are generally valid for 90 days, but can be extended.
See below or contact a Passport Health travel documents specialist about other visa types.
China Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to China? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
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| Tourist Visa | |
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| Business Visa | |
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| Vaccinations | |
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Sources: Chinese Embassy and U.S. State Department
What Do I Need for a China Visa Application?
Depending on the nature of your travel, you will need a specific type of visa. Each visa type has its own requirements that must be fulfilled.
The most common visa types used to travel to China are tourist and business visas. Both require different documents.
Other visas available for China include student visas, non-commerce visas, and family visas.
Do note, the Chinese government may change the visa process at any time or request additional information from travelers.
To find out what documents are necessary to get your visa, see the tab corresponding to the visa you are applying for:
Passport:
- Be valid for the next six months
- Contain at least one blank page for the visa stamp
Photograph:
- Taken within at least three months of the application and printed on photo paper
- Taken against an all-white background
- Be exactly 48 mm tall and 33mm wide (this is different than other countries)
- Provide full frontal view of your head with a neutral expression on your face
Driver’s License or Second Form of ID:
- Home address to match address on passport
Proof of Travel:
- Ticket or itinerary that displays your round trip travel and entry and exit dates for China
- Full traveller’s name as printed on passport
Additoinal Documents:
- Copy of your passport bio information page
- An official hotel confirmation letter is required. It must be: on official letterhead, display the hotel’s address and show the dates of stay
Minor Authorization Form (if traveling with anyone under 18):
- A notarized letter of consent from both parents or legal guardian
- Child’s birth certificate
- Copy of both parents’ photo ID
If you have visited China before, you must provide your previous visa.
If you are visiting Hong Kong of Macau, you must obtain a multiple entry visa.
Passport:
- Be valid for the next six months
- Contain at least one blank page for the visa stamp
Photograph:
- Taken within at least three months of the application and printed on photo paper
- Taken against an all-white background
- Be exactly 48 mm tall and 33mm wide (this is different than other countries)
- Provide full frontal view of your head with a neutral expression on your face
Driver’s License or Second Form of ID:
- Home address to match address on passport
Proof of Travel:
- Ticket or itinerary that displays your round trip travel and entry and exit dates for China.
- Full traveller’s name as printed on passport
Business Cover Letter
- State specific purpose of travel
Additoinal Documents:
- Copy of your passport bio information page
- An official hotel confirmation letter is required. It must be: on official letterhead, display the hotel’s address and show the dates of stay
If you have visited China before, you must provide your previous visa.
If you are visiting Hong Kong of Macau, you must obtain a multiple entry visa.
If you have a criminal record, you must visit the consulate in order to provide biometrics.
While other visa types are available, their requirements can vary greatly. Contact us to find out what you may need for your specific trip.
How Can Passport Health Help Me With the Visa Process?
Passport Health’s travel documents team will walk you through the visa process step-by-step and handle the sometimes difficult communication with embassies and consulates. Contact us today to start your worry-free visa processing.
How Much Do China Visas Cost?
The cost of visas for China can vary depending on length of travel, duration of stay and number of entries required. Average costs for a visa start at $140. The Chinese government sets visa fees and can change them at any time.
Costs paid for the visa fee do not include additional service fees levied by the Chinese government, costs of postage or other related items.
Are Any Vaccines Required for China?
Yes, the Chinese government may require proof of yellow fever vaccination from travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. This does not apply for Hong Kong and Macao. If you have traveled to or through a region with yellow fever in the last 12 months, you may still be requried to show proof of vaccination.
While China does not enforce any other vaccination requirements at this time, there are a variety of recommended vaccines for travlers.
For more vaccination information, see our China destination advice page.
U.S. Embassy in China
All U.S. citizens visiting China should register with the STEP program before their trip. This State Department program provides extra information and support in case of emergency. Passport Health’s travel documents staff can assist you in registering.
Once in China, the information for the U.S. Embassy is:
U.S. Embassy Beijing
55 Anjialou Rd, Chaoyang District
Beijing, China, 100600
Phone: 010-8531-3000
Fax: (86-10) 8531-4200
Visit the Embassy to China website before departure to confirm correct contact details for the office.
For More Information About China…
See Passport Health’s China destination advice page with information on safety, climate and more. Or, start you visa process by contacting us today!
Do I Need a Visa for China?
What Do I Need for a China Visa Application?
China Tourism Visa Application
China Business Visa Application
Other China Visa Applications
How Can Passport Health Help Me With the Visa Process?
How Much Do China Visas Cost?
Are Any Vaccines Required for China?
U.S. Embassy in China
For More Information About China…
