Wondering how to find out the Visa Requirements for China?
Whether you are dreaming about taking the Trans Siberian Express from Beijing to Ulaanbataar, experiencing the magical celebration of Chinese New Year or simply backpacking through the amazingly diversified cultures of exotic China; you have to apply for a Chinese tourist visa in advance. Citizens from Brunei, Japan or Singapore are the only nationalities exempt of this rule, eligible for Visa On Arrival in China (but this visa is only valid for a maximum of 15 days, anyway).
At present, China is one of the strictest countries when it comes to visa applications, so for once I have tried to retain myself from joking too much when presenting you with the visa requirements for China in simplified Chinese (see what I did there); so that you can coast through your visa process like a pro. Please leave your comments below about your own Chinese Visa experience, and we will update the article accordingly!
On this list we have included everything we could find, and we strongly advise showing up too prepared versus under prepared! Book your appointment at the Chinese Embassy as early as you can, to avoid any time problems.
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CHINA:
At www.china-embassy.org you will find a long list of visa categories; the tourist visa category being L. The requirements for this visa application process (as of the publishing of this article) are as follows:
- Passport – Valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages left in the passport.
- Copy of passport, both sides
- Visa application form, plus one copy – find the link to this form here. Include 2 recent (less than 6 months old) passport photos (51 mm x 51 mm) full face, bare head, light background). Enter your answers in CAPITAL LETTERS, handwritten changes are not accepted (start over if you make a mistake). Your signature on the application form must match the one in your passport, these are all important visa requirements for China.
- Proof of flight reservations – you cannot surpass this one; you HAVE to show evidence of inbound and outbound flights to the Republic of China. If you don’t know which dates you want to travel yet, or where to go after – use our services at schengen visa flight reservation to book your cancellable flight itinerary. The booking is 100 % authentic, should the Embassy double check.
- Proof of hotel reservations – Same as above. The Chinese Government wants to know where you are going, when you are going and where you are staying at all times, this is one of the vital visa requirements for China (naturally, to make sure you are not a secret agent there to steal all of their noodle recipes). You have to show proof of your hotel bookings for every single night you plan to stay in China. Don’t know yet where you want to go and stay in China? Solution: same as above. Book your hotels through schengen visa flight reservation, with 100 % authentic and cancellable hotel bookings.
- You might be required to add a bank statement showing adequate funds for the duration of your stay. Double check the current required amount with the Chinese Embassy in your country the current Visa requirements for China in regards to funds.
- There are specific rules for applicants who apply in a third country other than their country of citizenship, as well as for applicants who used to be Chinese citizens and have obtained a foreign citizenship. Check these requirements at the Chinese Embassy in your country before proceeding, because they require extra documentation.
That’s it! China might be strict, but as long as you plan ahead, you still have a shot at uncovering those mystic noodle recipes. There’s also a common misconception going around that one of the visa requirements for China is that you need an invitation letter to get a visa (many travel agencies will claim this, and then offer you a “good deal for this invitation letter”); this isn’t true! If you have hotel and flight reservations, you don’t need an invitation letter, and vice versa. And where can you get those cancellable hotel reservation as well as flight reservation, you ask..? Right here. 🙂
Expert Tips:
According to some travelers on Google; Bangkok (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam) and Vientiane (Laos) are some of the best cities to apply for a Chinese visa. Due to their proximity to China, as well as their experience in dealing with backpackers applying for visas to other Asian countries, these embassies are honed as “cheap, efficient, helpful and hassle-free” in obtaining your Chinese visa.
Let us know how your application process went in the comments below after knowing all the Visa Requirements for China.