Apply for China Visa Online - Guide & Processes 2024/2025

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on December 18, 2024:

1. 15 days visa free has been upgraded to 30 days. Eligible countries updates: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Brunei and Japan. Valid till December 31, 2025. Read more »

2. 72-Hour/144-Hou Visa Free Transit have been upgraded to 240-Hou Visa Free Transi (10 days). 54 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free. Read more »

3. Countries Mutual Exemption of Visa with China - Solomon Islands, Georgia, Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, UAE, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Tonga, Armenia.

4. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.

5. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!

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Can I Apply for a Chinese Visa Online?

The ways to apply for a Chinese Visa differ from countries and visa types. Currently, no one can apply for and get a Chinese Visa just through the Internet. However, if you are in the 2 following cases, you can complete the application form online in advance, and book an appointment online for offline submission. That would save you much time, avoid long queues.

1.) If you plan to apply for Chinese Visa in US, Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Norway, Guyana and etc, you must make the submission directly to the Chinese Embassy and Consulates by using the COVA (China Visa Online Application) and AVAS (Appointment for Visa Application Submission) systems. Click https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn to see if you can complete visa application form online to the embassy.

2.) If you reside in and plan to apply in the 46 countries/regions (including Canada, Australia, UK, Malaysia, Singapore, France...), you are required to submit China Visa Application to the CVASC (China Visa Application Service Center). Visit http://www.visaforchina.org/ to check whether you should submit via the visa service center.

Other applicants must download the newest application form (v 2013) from official website, fill in the electronic form (in PDF/Word format) and print it out, submit with all required documents to the consular office of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates.

Apply China Visa Online to the Chinese Embassy and Consulate

Once confirmed you are eligible for visa submission at COVA, you must complete the China Visa Application Form and pre-book an appointment online, and submit all required application documents to the visa offices of the Chinese Embassies and Consulates. Below are detailed processes:

Homepage of the China Visa Online Application System (COVA)

① Log in the official website of COVA (https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn), choose the country and city you will submit application.

② Create an new China Visa Application Form online, fill in the electronic form step by step, provide all personal information completely and truthfully. Note down the application ID number for retrieving the saved form & booking a appointment. After careful check, save and submit the application form. The form cannot be changed once it is submitted.

③ Print the completed form out, sign and date it.

④ Visit https://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn to make an appointment for submission to the embassy. Print the confirmation page. (Use your Application ID to book the China Visa Online Appointment)

⑤ Arrive at the the embassy visa office at least 20 minutes in advance. Submit the paper form, confirmation page with other required documents when it’s your turn.

⑥ Pick up your passport and visa (if granted), once you are noticed by the visa officer. Pay the China Visa Fees to the embassy upon collection.

Notes:

* Most Chinese embassies and consulates require make appointment online in advance. Directly walking in the visa office to submit application without appointment may cause refusal by the embassy or consulate. If you want walk-in service, you can contact the Chinese embassies and consulates to check availability.

* You can submit and pick up the documents in person, or entrust another person, agent on your behalf.

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China Visa Application Submission to China Visa Application Center

In order to better serve applicants, Chinese Embassies and Consulates in Canada, Australia, UK, France, Malaysia, and other 41 countries hav authorized local China Visa Application Service Centers to accept visa application submission. Thus, you have to apply for Chinese Visa via the service center, go through all the processes as the center required. Follow the instruction below for your application:

Major Section on the Official Website of China Visa Application Service Center

⑴ Visit website of CVASC (http://www.visaforchina.cn/) to locate the country/city you live in. Get information about the visa center, including office hours, location, and contact numbers and emails.

⑵ View “Step by Step Guidance” & “Visa Knowledge” to know the required documents, frequently asked questions and tips, and general procedures.

⑶ Go to “Quick Access” to start a new China Visa Application Form, finish all information needed. Declare in the last section, and submit the application form online. Please also write down the form number once produced, for you can use it to change, cancel or reschedule your appointment.

⑷ Back to “Quick Access” to make an China Visa Online Appointment. The center will be closed during weekends and public holidays.

⑸ Print the visa application form, the confirmation page of the appointment.

⑹ Visit the service center at least 10 minutes before the booking time, submit all the prepared documents (including the passport, printed form, confirmation page of appointment and else supporting documents). You can choose express or rush service, mail-back service if it is offered. Pay the visa fees and service charges then. How Much is a Chinese Visa?

⑺ Track the visa processing status online. Once noticed it is processed and ready for collection, you can pick up your passport & other documents in person, or by third party.

Notes:

* You will pay additional service fees to the visa center, while visa fees is charged by the embassy. So the totally cost is higher than direct submission to the embassies.

* Urgent application (if available) must be submitted before 11:30 am on that day.

* Many visa centers only accept visa applications with appointments, and they do NOT accept walk-in submission.

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Useful Advice on China Visa Online Application

1. A printed completed China Visa Application Form is always obligatory for all foreign applicants, whether you fill in the form through online systems of Chinese Embassy or China Visa Application Service Center. A qualified photo is also an crucial requirement.

2. You should submit application to the embassy or service center charging the area where you reside in, probably not the nearest one. If your home is too far away from the embassy/visa center, you can entrust your friend, an agent to submit your application.

3. It’s strongly suggested to book an appointment in advance if you can. Because it is much more convenient and time-saving.

Travel China Worry-free with China Discovery

China Discovery is an professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. If it’s your first time travel to China, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Guilin are the top recommended destinations with best representative tourism attractions of. The great cultural, historical, natural landscape will fulfill your dream tour to China. For those who want an in-depth discovery in China, featured China Panda Tour, Ancient Silk Road Tour, High Speed Train Tour, Colorful Ethnic Tour are good ways to find more interesting places and authentic locals.

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If you are interested in China visa-free tour, we could also customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.