Exciting News! China has once again relaxed and optimized its visa-free transit policy. Now, most travelers, including those from the US and UK, can explore most regions of China without a visa for up to 10 days (11 days if including the arrival day).
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Check out Plan a 10-Day China Visa-free Trip or Contact us today to check if you qualify and discover our exclusive visa-free highlight tours tailored just for you.
How to Apply for a China Visa
Planning to visit China, but don't know how to apply for a China visa? We're breaking it down for you with our step-by-step guide, follow the steps and get your China visa efficiently.
The visa information we provide is for reference only. We are a travel agency. If you book a trip with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter when applying for a tourist visa.
1. Find out if you need a visa
The first thing is to check whether you need a visa or not. You usually need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet one of China's visa-free policies. 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit offer great convenience if you have a layover in China.
2. Find out which visa you need.
There are many types of China visas. Choose a visa type that applies to your situation. If you are planning to go on a vacation in China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).
3. Prepare the required documents.
The following list of documents are required for any China visa application:
- A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
- A complete visa application form (The visa application form can be downloaded from the Chinese embassy website or from our website. You complete it by computer, print and sign it. In some countries such as UK you should complete an online form. On the form, you might find an item "Serial number of invitation letter of the authorized organization", you may skip this item if you don't have an invitation letter, or the invitation letter is not of this type.)
- A recent passport-type photograph (head and shoulders only, front view, with a white background, approximately 48mmx33mm)
Along with the aforementioned generally required documents, several additional documents are required depending upon the type of China visa applied for.
For instance, if you are applying for a tourist L visa, you need to prepare an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency. (An invitation letter could be provided by us without extra charge if a China tour of 3 days or more is booked.)
An invitation letter can replace the air ticket and hotel booking if you are planning to stay with friends or family who live in China and can't provide the hotel confirmation, or if your travel is being organized by a travel agency (or other duly authorized organization) in China. We can provide you with the invitation letter if you book a tour with us.
4. Submit the application.
You may submit the application to the Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or China Visa Application Service Centers (also called CVASC) if they are operating in your country.
Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries (including the U.S., the UK, and Canada) have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected.
The regular service processing time is 4 days, and the rushed service takes about 1 day. The latter is only available in extreme emergencies pending a consular officer's approval.
5. Pay the fee and collect your visa.
Go to the place where you apply for a China visa, pay the fee, and collect your visa.
The fees vary enormously depending on your nationality and number of entries. Here we listed China visa prices for some countries for your reference. It may change based on the updated policies.
| Nationality | Number of Entries | Regular Application |
|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Single Entry Double Entries Multiple Entries for 6 Months Multiple Entries for 1 Year & above |
USD 185 |
| UK Citizens | EUR 151 | |
| Canada Citizens | CAD 100 | |
| Australian Citizens | AUD 60-180 |
The fees shown in the table are only for the cost of visa. If you apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the service fee and tax are required.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Beeindruckende Tage in Lijiang
Wir waren 3 N?chte in Lijiang, organisiert durch China Highlights. Wir haben den Jadedrachenschneeberg besucht, wurden in Baisha durch einen Naxi-Schamanen in die Bilderschrift der Naxi eingeführt, waren in der Tigersprungschlucht und sind durch die Altstadt von Lijiang gebummelt. Unser Guide Alice hat uns super geführt (englisch), ist auf unsere Wünsche eingegangen und wir hatten viel Spass und tolle Gespr?che miteinander. Ein tolles Erlebnis. more
Oct 2025, Ulrich
|
A Very Memorable Visit to Shanghai.
We arrived in Shanghai on 30 Oct 2024 to the announcement that Shanghai would be hit by a severe typhoon on 1 Nov. But that did not faze our wonderful guide, Winnie! She reorganised our itinerary to max the time we had before the typhoon arrive which would have stopped all activities. Meeting us at 8.30am, she whisked us to Shanghai Tower - so that we could beat the morning crowd to get up to the observation deck on the 118th floor and take in the breath-taking view before the rolling fog reduced all visibility! Lunch was a v delicious meal of local treats at a famous local bistro after a tour of the Shanghai Museum. Winnie was so thoughtful, she even bought us a green bean soup each for us old folks to hydrate ourselves through the afternoon. Plus - a very pretty pumpkin pastry to celebrate Halloween! We spent the afternoon walking along the Bund with Winnie explaining the history and significance of the different buildings and a tour of the French Quarter after that. All these could not have been done the next day when the typhoon brought gusty wind and heavy rain. Because of Winnie's initiative and hard work on 31 Oct, we got to see the Shanghai we came to visit! Kudos to you, Winnie! more
Nov 2024, Navigate14411878263
|
Great day in Suchzou and Tongli
Thanks to our guide Kenny! She was very welcoming and nice! Showed us Suchzhou in a very nice way. We visited the park, had a nice dinner in a restaurant that she chose for us (the food was great and atmosphere very warm) and visited Tongli water village. Her English is great, we understood her very well, and she was also very knowledgeable. Would totally recommend more
Nov 2024, Nidia
|
When to Apply for a Visa
It is important to get your visa early, but not too early because it is only valid for 90/180 days for single/double-entry visas from the issue date.
It is usually recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel.
Apply for Special Permits, If Necessary.
If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need to get a Tibet Travel Permit from a Chinese travel agency. As a travel agency based in China for more than 20 years, we can help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.
Check the most popular Tibet tours.
Apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong
If you are already in Hong Kong and want to visit the Chinese mainland, it is possible to get a China visa in Hong Kong. Read our step-by-step guide.
Tailor-Making a Private China Tour
China Highlights is your China tour tailor-making expert. See the recommended tours below for inspiration or check out our ideas and suggestions on How to Plan Your China Tour.
- 8-Day Shanghai - Xian - Beijing Private Tour - China's Ancient and Modern Collision
- 13-Day Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Hangzhou - Suzhou – Shanghai Private Tour - Riches of China
- 13-Day Private Tour: Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai A Close Encounter with Pandas - China Essence and Panda Tour