China Travel Visa Information
A China travel visa in a valid passport are required documents for entering into the mainland. If you arrive without a valid travel visa, you will not be allowed to enter, may be fined and will be immediately deported at your own expense. In fact, without a proper visa, the airline will most likely not allow you to board.Applicants are required to appear in the visa office to apply. If you cannot apply in person, you can send a relative, friend, or travel/visa agent to submit the application on your behalf. Travel document expediters are professionally qualified to obtain visas quickly and efficiently. Expediting services are usually located in major cities where embassies and consulates are found.
China Tourist Visa
A China tourist visa, also known as an L visa, is usually valid for 30 days from the day of entry according to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. It might be extended through applications to the local public security bureau. You have the option of asingle-entry or double-entry or multiple-entries visa.
Upon arrival, your documents will be examined by an inspection agent. If everything is correct, they will be stamped with an entry seal.
The tourist visa only allows you to travel to China for sightseeing or to visit family only. If you want to travel to any area not yet opened to the tourists, you will have to apply for a Foreign Travel Permit at the local public security organ.
China Business Visa
China Business Visa are also valid for 90 days with a duration of 30 days for each entry.
To apply for a single or double entry visa, you must have an official invitation from a Chinese host company or government department or organization.
A China travel visa which allows for multiple entries and has a duration of either 6 or 12 months requires that the invitation be issued by a governmental organization or state-run company authourized by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
China Visa Fees
IMPORTANT NOTICE: New China travel visa fees are as follows:
Entries | Validity | Processing Time | Embassy Fee |
Single | 3 months | 4 days | $140.00 |
Single | 3 months | 2 days | $160.00 |
Single | 3 months | 1 day | $170.00 |
Double | 6 months | 4 days | $140.00 |
Double | 6 months | 2 days | $160.00 |
Double | 6 months | 1 day | $170.00 |
Multiple | 1 year | 4 days | $140.00 |
Multiple | 1 year | 2 days | $160.00 |
Multiple | 1 year | 1 day | $170.00 |
If you want to visit any of the non-open cities, you need to acquire a travel permit. You can apply for these at the local public security bureau. If you plan to leave China and then return, you need to get a China travel visa that allows for double entry or multiple entries.
Effective since May 4th 2009, all Chinese visa applicants must complete and submit the Declaration Form (Click for Download PDF form).
China Visa Service Online
You can process your China travel visa yourself but you will face large crowds and long lines. Parking isn't always easy to find either. The China Embassy requests that you not call them about your application so you won't be able to track your process. Errors or incomplete information on your visa application form can result in denial of your visa and delay in your plans.
The best way to avoid the crowds, the lines and the difficult parking is to contract an expediting service to process your China travel visa. There are many online. Besides doing the legwork for you, the offer personalized service and online tracking.
We have reviewed many of these services and found one that stands out from the others. They offer excellent service and a great guarantee for fees that are below the competition.
