Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
- Why do Chinese visas have different categories?
- What is the relationship between the validity of a visa, number of entries and duration of stay?
- What would be the best time for me to apply for a visa before my planned departure for China?
- Where do I apply for a visa?
- Do I need a visa to enter Hong Kong and Macao?
- Do I need to apply for a visa if I transit through Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, etc?
- Can I apply for a visa online?
- Is it permitted for someone else to submit my application to the Visa Service Facility on my behalf?
- Do I have to make an appointment to apply for a visa?
- How long should be the remaining validity of my passport before I apply for a China visa?
- How long does it take to process a visa if I submit my application at the Visa Service Facility in person?
- Is the service fee the same for a child?
- Does a child need to fill out a visa application form as well?
- If citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan holding ordinary passports want to stay in China for more than 15 days, can they apply for an extension of stay?
- Can I extend the duration of stay of my visa in China?
- What if I lost my pick up form?
- What shall I do if I find the visa issued on my passport is wrong?
- Could you tell me what articles can I bring into China as a passenger?
- Does the visa centre belong to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General?
In light of China's laws and regulations, consular officers decide what type of visa is best suited for an applicant’s stated purpose of visit to China.
Validity of a visa refers to the period within which the visa holder is allowed to enter China.
The number of entries refers to the number of times the visa holder is permitted to enter China within the visa’s period of validity.
Duration of stay refers to the longest period the visa holder is allowed to stay in China on each visit, and this is counted from the day following entry into China.
When all the permitted entries are used up, the visa is no longer valid. Even if there are still unused entries, the visa is no longer valid if the period of validity has already expired. In either case, the visa holder should apply for a new visa if another visit to China is planned.
The holder of a visa is eligible to enter China at any time prior to the expiry of its validity (allowed to enter China before midnight Beijing Time on the last date of its validity) provided that permitted entries on the visa have not been used up; the holder’s planned duration of stay in China must not exceed the duration stated in the visa.
It is advisable that you apply for a visa one month before your intended date of entry into China but not earlier than three months. The Chinese visa is typically valid for three months. If you apply for a visa too early, the visa may expire before your departure. For instance, if you plan to enter China on July 1, the best time to submit your application would be around June 1 (counting working days only).
Please note that the validity of some visas is equal to or shorter than one month. In that case, you may apply for the visa around two weeks before your intended date of entry into China.
If you hold an ordinary passport, you should submit your application at the China Visa Service Facility in the country where you lawfully reside. Holders of diplomatic and service (official) passports or applicants eligible to apply for China's diplomatic, courtesy and service visas, and applicants applying for a visa to the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region of China should still apply directly to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General.
Kindly refer to the following websites:
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: http://www.immd.gov.hk
Public Security Police Force of the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region：http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html
Citizens of 51 countries with valid international travel documents and air tickets for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country (region) can apply for the 72-hour transit visa exemption at ports of entry in Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport，Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport， Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport，Shenyang Taoxian International Airport，Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport，Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport，Guilin Liangjiang Airport，Kunming Changshui International Airport，Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Harbin Taiping International Airport, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, Tianjin Binhai International Airport and Nanjing Lukou International Airport. ( For the list of 51 countries, please refer to http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n84147/n84196/4380403.html）
It is not possible to apply for a visa through the Internet currently. You need to submit all the required application documents to the Visa Service Facility, and the Visa Service Facility staff will then handle your application.
Generally speaking, you should submit your application in person and collect your passport with an issued visa. If circumstances really prevent you from doing so (e.g. illness), you may entrust someone else to do it for you (no need to provide a power of attorney) providing that you have prepared all the documents required and signed the application form. You can also apply via a travel agency or come directly to our office in person or mail your application to the Visa Service Facility.
You can visit the Visa Service Facility to submit your application. However, the Visa Service Facility strongly encourages you to make an appointment well in advance that should guarantee a shorter waiting time. Please visit the website and click Online Appointment to make an appointment.
Generally speaking, there should be at least six months left before the passport expires.
A visa typically takes four working days to process if all the accompanying documents meet the requirements. Please click here for more details.
Yes. Children as an independent applicant, the visa application process as other applicants , it is also required to pay the same amount of service fee .
Children as independent applicants need to provide a separate visa application form.
Please contact the local public security authorities in China regarding this.
You may apply for an extension of the “duration of stay” of your visa at a local public security authority before it expires, but without an assumption that the application will automatically approved. Overstay violates the laws of China and will be punished.
If you lost your pickup form, you must come in person to collect your passport. Kindly present your photo identity card to the Visa Service Facility s staff for verification. Only after the Visa Service Facility confirms your identity card can the passport be released. If you cannot come in person due to some special reason, you can entrust someone else to pick up your passport as long as he or she brings your notarized power attorney as well as his or her and your own identity card.
If you find mistakes in your visa after you have left the Visa Service Facility, please contact it immediately and follow the instructions given to you.
Kindly visit the Website of China Customs for details.
No, it doesn’t. The Visa Service Facility is a commercial service organization registered in accordance with local laws and regulations and recognized by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General to handle the daily routine work of processing ordinary visa applications. However, it operates independently of diplomatic missions and is neither a branch nor an affiliated organ.
Please note that the Visa Service Facility does not participate in the assessment and approval of Chinese visas.