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China Travel Visa Guide for Tourism
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Tap into Panda Tourism’s comprehensive guide on obtaining a travel visa to China for tourism. Our guide will cover the different types of Chinese travel visas, the new 240-hour visa-free policy, the visa-free exempted countries, and essential tips that will help you successfully apply for a visa.
Tourist Visa
While some tourist travel is allowed for under the new 240 hour visa free policy, to travel to certain parts of China, such as Xinjiang, you will still need to apply for a travel visa. For tourism, travelers should apply for a L-visa, which will allow for 30 days of travel within China.
- Duration: Usually 30 days, but it can vary depending on your nationality and the embassy’s discretion.
- Single/Multiple Entry: Single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry options are available.
Tips for a Smooth Application Process
- Schedule an Appointment: Most Chinese embassies and consulates require applicants to schedule an appointment online before submitting their visa application in person.
- When to Apply: Submit your application at least 1-2 months before your intended travel date. Processing times can vary, and it’s better to have a buffer in case additional documentation is required.
- Requirements: Requirements for application will differ by country, please visit the China consulate website for your country to confirm. Common documents you might need to prepare include:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity and two blank visa pages.
- A completed visa application form.
- A recent passport-sized photo (meeting China’s photo specifications).
- Proof of travel arrangements (e.g., flight itinerary, hotel bookings).
- Additional documents depending on the visa type (e.g., invitation letters, admission notices, etc.).
The New 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
China has recently expanded its visa-free transit policy, making it much easier for travelers to explore select regions without applying for a traditional visa. Here’s everything you need to know:
What is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Policy?
This policy allows travelers from certain countries to stay in designated regions of China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a formal visa application, provided they meet specific criteria. This was upgraded from the previous 144 hour policy in December, 2024.
Eligibility
To qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit, travelers must:
- Hold a passport from one of the eligible countries (see list below).
- Be transiting through China to a third country (i.e., your departure and final destination cannot be China).
- Have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.
Entry Requirement: Point-of-Entry
Please take note that to be eligible for the 240 hour transit visa policy, visitors must enter and exit through certain point-of-entry destinations that are participating in the policy. However, you don't need to be too concerned - the new policy has revised the list to 60 participating open point-of-entry airports and ports, which cover most major entry points for tourist visitors. The full list of entry points include:
- Beijing: Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport
- Shanghai: Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Port
- Chongqing: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
- Tianjin: Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Tianjin Port
- Shaanxi Province: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
- Jiangsu Province: Su'nan Shuofang International Airport and Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Lianyuangang Port
- Zhejiang Province: Zhejiang Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport, Yiwu Airport, Wenzhou Port, Zhoushan Port
- Jiangxi Province: Nanchang Changbei International Airport in Jiangxi Province
- Guangdong Province: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, Nansha Port, Shekou Port
- Guangxi Province: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, Nanning Wuxu International Airport and Beihai Fucheng Airport, Beihai Port
- Shanxi Province: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in Shanxi Province
- Anhui Province: Hefei Xinqiao International Airport and Huangshan Tunxi International Airport
- Fujian Province: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen Port, Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, and Wuyishan Airport
- Hunan Province: Changsha Huanghua International Airport, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport
- Hubei Province: Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
- Henan Province: Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
- Hebei Province: Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
- Sichuan Province: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
- Yunnan Province: Kunming Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, Mohan Railway Port
- Guizhou Province: Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport
- Shandong Province: Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, Qingdao Port, Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, Yantai Penglai International Airport, and Weihai Dashuipo International Airport
- Liaoning Province: Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, Dalian Port, Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
- Heilongjiang Province: Harbin Taiping International Airport
- Hainan Province: Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport
Regions in China You Can Travel To
Under the new 240-hour visa-free transit policy, you're able to visit a total of 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions out of China's total 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, and 4 municipalities. While it sounds like there's a limit to your travels, in reality, this policy allows you to visit most places in China. You can travel to:
- Municipalities (major cities in China): Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Shanghai Municipality, Chongqing Municipality
- Provinces: Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, Heilongjiang Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Shandong Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, Shaanxi Province, Shanxi Province, Anhui Province, Jiangxi Province, Hainan Province, and Guizhou Province
This list is very extensive and allows you to visit most places in China. However, regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang are excluded, and you will still need to apply for a travel permit through us if you wish to visit.
Eligible Countries
Under the new visa policy, travelers with citizenship from 54 eligible countries are able to visit visa-free. Here are the countries included in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy:
- Eligible Countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
China's Visa Exempted Countries
Citizens holding valid ordinary passports from certain countries can be exempted from visa requirement if entering into China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchangeand transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without visa. You do not need to prepare any documents in advance, other than a valid passport with expiration date beyond your intended visit duration.
- Eligible Countries: Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do if I want to apply for a visa? Before traveling to China, check if you need a visa. If you're transiting through one of China's designated international airports or ports, you may qualify for visa-free travel. Next, determine the type of visa required. There are several categories, with the most common for tourists being the ordinary visa (L). Prepare the necessary documentation for your visa application. For specific requirements, contact your local Chinese embassy or China Visa Application Center. Submit your application at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General. It's recommended to apply 30 to 45 days in advance to allow time for processing and additional information if needed. Finally, collect your visa. You'll be notified once it's ready and can collect it at the China Visa Application Service Centre or confirm if mail-out services are available.
- Do I need a visa to visit Hong Kong or Macau? Hong Kong and Macau have separate visa policies. Travelers from many countries can enter these regions visa-free. However, if you plan to visit mainland China from Hong Kong or Macau, you’ll need a Chinese visa unless you qualify for the visa-free transit policy.
- Can I extend my visa in China? Yes, visa extensions are possible but must be applied for at local immigration offices before your current visa expires. Approval is not guaranteed, so plan accordingly.
- How should I apply for the travel permit to Tibet or Xinjiang? To visit Tibet or certain areas in Xinjiang, you'll need a special travel permit in addition to a Chinese visa. These permits can only be arranged through licensed travel agencies like us, usually as part of an organized tour. Contact us [email: contact@pandatourism.com] in advance with your intended destination and dates of travel.
