China Tourist Visa Guidelines

In 2024, China introduced notable changes to its visa policies, elaborated to boost tourism and streamline travel for international visitors.

In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide to China's tourist visa requirements and walk you through the steps of obtaining a travel permit to China.

Table of contents

• "Can I apply for a visa to China now?" China tourist visa policy in 2023
• Is it possible to visit China without a visa?
• How to apply for a China tourist visa
• Documents required for a China tourist visa application
• China visa photo requirements
• Get a China visa photo online!
• China visa photo app
• China tourist visa fees
• China tourist visa processing time
• China tourist visa validity

"Can I Apply for a Visa to China Now?" China Tourist Visa Policy in 2024

Since March 2023, China has resumed issuing all types of visas for foreigners, including the tourism and medical treatment visa.

Foreigners who hold valid multi-year multiple entry visas for business or tourism purposes that were issued by Chinese visa authorities abroad before March 28, 2020, can use these visas to enter China.

The official name of the category of tourist visa to China is "L Visa".

Is it Possible to Enter China Without a Visa?

In general, most foreign travelers to China require a visa for entry. However, there are increasing exceptions to this rule, as China continues to implement various visa-free policies for specific groups of travelers.

China visa-free policies expansion includes:

144-hour visa-free transit In 2024, China broadened its 144-hour visa-free transit program to cover 37 ports, including newly added locations such as Zhengzhou aviation port and various cities in Yunnan Province. This policy permits travelers from eligible nations to enjoy a stay of up to six days while en route to a third destination.

Visa-free entry for select European countries:Beginning in September-October 2024, citizens of Cyprus, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia will enjoy visa-free access to China for stays of up to 15 days.

Unilateral visa-free travel for six European nations:Between March 14 and November 30, 2024, holders of ordinary passports from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg can visit China without a visa for short-term stays.

On November 30, 2024, China extended visa-free entry to citizens of nine additional countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan. This policy allows eligible travelers to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transit.

Cruise travel visa exemption:Beginning May 15, 2024, foreign tourist groups traveling by cruise can enter China without a visa at all coastal cruise ports. Travelers must remain with their cruise group and stay within designated areas for no more than 15 days.

Hainan province visa-free policy:Since 2024, the visa-free policy in Hainan has been expanded to include various purposes such as business visits and family reunions. However, work and study purposes are still excluded from this arrangement.

China visa-free transit rules

The 144-hour visa-free transit is available to citizens from 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, and most European nations. This option allows travelers to stay for up to 144 hours (6 days) in designated regions. As of 2024, the policy covers 37 ports, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhengzhou, with new additions such as Lijiang and Yuxi in Yunnan Province. Travelers must have a valid passport with at least three months of validity, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within the 144-hour period, and remain within the specified areas during their stay.

The 72-hour visa-free transit offers similar conditions but allows visitors to stay for up to 72 hours. This policy applies at various ports across China for citizens from the same eligible countries.

The 24-hour visa-free transit is open to travelers from all countries, allowing a stay of up to 24 hours at any entry-exit port. Travelers must have a confirmed onward ticket and, unless they apply for a temporary entry permit, remain within the port area during their stay.

How to Apply for a China Tourist Visa

Here are the steps to apply for a tourism (L) visa to China:

1. Gather the required documents;
2. Fill out the visa application form. You can fill out the visa application form online and print it out. In this article we provide a detailed guideline on how to fill out the China visa application form.
3. Schedule an appointment: You must schedule an appointment with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your area. Make sure to check the embassy or consulate's website for specific instructions and requirements
4. Submit your application: At your appointment, you will need to submit your application and pay the visa fee;
5. Wait for processing;
6. Collect your visa: Once your visa is approved, you can collect your passport with the visa attached from the embassy or consulate.

Documents Required for a China Tourist Visa Application

The specific documents required for a China tourist visa (L Visa) application can vary depending on the country you are applying from and the embassy or consulate processing your application. However, in general, the following documents are commonly required:

• Passport with remaining validity more than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages. If you previously have had a multi-year multi-entry visa on the old passport, the old passport has to be submitted;
• Visa application photo fulfilling requirements. The exact Chinese visa photo specifications are listed below;
• Photocopy of the biodata page of the passport;
• Visa application form (COVA): You will need to complete an online visa application form and print it out. You can download the COVA visa form here;
• Financial documents: You may be required to provide evidence of your financial ability to cover your trip, such as bank statements or proof of income.
• Invitation letter: If you are visiting China as part of a group or have a sponsor in China, you may need to provide an invitation letter.
• Previous visa: If you have previously traveled to China, you may need to provide your previous China visa and travel records.
• Signed and filled-out form stating that the applicant is in the jurisdiction they’re applying in;
• Proof of legal residence, if the applicant is a foreigner in the jurisdiction they’re applying in;
• Travel itinerary: You will need to provide proof of your travel arrangements, such as flight tickets, hotel reservations, and tour itineraries.

China Visa Photo Requirements

The photo used to apply for you Chinese visa must fulfill the following requirements:

• It must be a color picture, taken recently within the last 6 months.
• The Chinese visa photo size must be 48mm by height and 33mm by width, with width of head: 15mm to 22mm, height of head: 20mm to 33mm.
• The applicant has to be easily identifiable from the photo;
• Facial features should be complete and clearly visible, with the head centered in the photo;
• Eyeglasses are allowed except thick-rimmed, tinted or glare glasses;
• Hat or other head wears are only permitted due to religious reasons, but any facial features should not be obscured;
• There should be no damages or impurities on the photo, no permeation or shadow over the face;
• The photo should be in natural tone, but not over or under exposed, red-eyed or distorted;
• Background should be in white or off-white, and with no edge frame
• The photo should be printed on glossy finish photo paper, but not on matte finish paper or plain paper, and should be stainless, scratchless or without any crease.

Here is an example of a Chinese visa photo:

Get a China Visa Photo Online!

Using Visafoto, an online photo editor that has been adjusting photographs for various documents worldwide since 2013, you can easily make a fully compliant Chinese visa application photo online. It will make sure your photo fulfills all the requirements needed.

Just take a picture of yourself following the guidelines stated above. Don’t worry about the size, background, positions, and proportions: Visafoto will handle the technicalities.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

First, take a photo under light like this one:

You will receive two versions of the photo: digital for electronic filing, and a printable template.

Visafoto also provides you with a template ready for printing, so you do not need to worry about formatting your photo for this purpose. With a high-quality color printer and photo paper fitting requirements, you can print out a Chinese visa photo without leaving your home.

China Visa Photo App