This article offers a concise guide to the China Tourist Visa (L Visa) to address the visa-related issues you may encounter while planning your journey. If you are looking for a China tour, now is the time!
Do I Need a Visa to Visit China?
In most cases, yes, travelers need a visa to visit mainland China. However, China has recently expanded its visa-free and transit visa-free programs, giving visitors more flexible ways to enter the country without applying for a full visa in advance.Today, depending on your nationality and travel route, you may qualify for:
For many visitors, these updated policies make it easier to:
– Add China as a stop on an Asia multi-country itinerary
– Enjoy a short stay in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu during a long-haul trip
– Transit through China without spending time or money on a visa application
If you are unsure whether you need a visa, simply check your nationality and travel route, or let Odynovo review your itinerary and help identify the most convenient option.
Visa-Free Entry Options
China currently offers short-term visa-free entry to passport holders from certain countries for tourism, business, or family visits. The policy is based on bilateral agreements and may be adjusted periodically. If your country is included, you may enter China without applying for a visa, which greatly simplifies your travel preparation. (Travelers should always confirm their country’s eligibility before departure.)
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free (TWOV)
As of December 17, 2024, China has extended its transit visa-free stay from 72/144 hours to 240 hours (10 days) for eligible travelers. If you are transiting through China on your way to a third country or region, you may qualify for China’s new 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free policy. It offers a chance to travel through China without certain area restrictions as before. The only request is that you have a ticket for an international flight or cruise to a third country or region.
- Allowed Example: United States → China’s Mainland → Japan/Hong Kong → United States
- Not Allowed: United States → China’s Mainland → United States
Countries Enjoy Visa-Free Entry to China’s Mainland
Citizens of these 46 countries will not need to apply for a visa to enter China to travel for up to 30 days.
- Europe (33 countries): France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Finland, Slovakia, Monaco, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Norway, Iceland, and Latvia.
- Asia (6 countries): the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, South Korea, and Japan.
- Oceania (2 countries): Australia and New Zealand.
- South America (5 countries): Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.
Requirements & Steps for Applying a China Tourist Visa
1. Schedule an Appointment With the Embassy
Some embassies offer online visa application appointment services. It is recommended that you directly contact the local embassy or consulate where you plan to submit your visa application and make an appointment.
2. Prepare the Documents
To apply for China L Visa, you will need the following:
1) Passport: Original passport with a validity of at least six months and blank visa pages, along with one photocopy of the passport’s photo and information page.
2) Visa Application Form and Photo: One completed “People’s Republic of China Visa Application Form” with a recent, front-facing, color passport photo attached against a light background.
3) Proof of Legal Stay or Residency (applicable for applicants not in their home country): If you are applying for a visa outside your country of nationality, you must provide original and photocopies of valid proof or visas indicating legal stay, residency, employment, or study in the country where you are applying.
4) Itinerary Materials: Round-trip flight bookings and hotel reservations or an invitation letter from an individual or entity within China. The invitation letter must include the following:
3. Submit Application
To apply, visit the China Visa Application Service Center, the Chinese Embassy, or the Chinese Consulate responsible for your jurisdiction. Submit your Visa Application Form along with the necessary documents. Decide if you require expedited visa processing or postal services. If your Application does not need biomaterial profiles, you can ask someone you trust to apply it for you. Otherwise, you have to go on your own.
4. Pay the Fee
Cash, debit cards, and credit cards are widely used. Contact the local office to learn more if you want to pay in a different method.
Service fees might be charged at the visa service center. It is cheaper to apply directly at the Chinese Embassy.
5. Collect Your Visa
Typically, obtaining a China visa takes around 4 to 5 working days. The exact pick-up date will be indicated on the collection slip. If you choose a mail service, please make sure the time is enough before your departure.
6. Apply for Extra Travel Permit if Needed
If you are visiting Tibet, you will need both a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. This permit is issued by the Tibet Travel Administration through a travel agency – independent travel is not allowed in Tibet.