Choose by purpose, not by price
- L visa: tourism, family visits and short personal trips.
- M visa: commercial trade and business visits, not employment.
- F visa: non-commercial exchanges, study tours, cultural visits.
- X1/X2 visa: study longer than 180 days / shorter than 180 days.
- Z visa: employment; you need a work permit notice before applying.
- G visa: transit; many nationalities can use visa-free transit instead.
How the application works
Most applicants complete the online form, book an appointment at the visa centre, submit passports and biometrics, then wait for processing. The officer is looking for a clear purpose, credible funding, a return or onward plan, and documents that match your story. A cheap “invitation letter” that does not match your itinerary is worse than no invitation at all.
What to prepare
Use the checklist on the visa centre’s website for your nationality and visa type. Common documents include passport, photo, application form, itinerary, hotel bookings, flight reservation, financial proof, employment letter and, for business or study, an invitation or admission letter. Rules differ by country; do not copy a friend’s list.
Reality check
The visa officer is matching your story to your documents. A cheap invitation that does not match your itinerary creates more problems than it solves.
Local tip: Print the visa centre checklist for your nationality and tick it line by line.
Step by step
- Decide the purpose of travel and the correct visa type.
- Check the Chinese embassy/visa centre website for your country and nationality.
- Complete the online application and print the confirmation.
- Book an appointment and prepare the exact document set.
- Attend biometrics/interview if required and pay the fee.
- Track processing and collect the passport; check the visa dates and entries.
Typical costs
| Item | Cost / note |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | Varies by nationality, entries and processing speed |
| Service centre fee | Charged separately in many countries |
| Photos | Usually a few dollars |
| Courier/agent | Optional; use only reputable providers |
Prices are indicative and change. Confirm with the official provider before paying.
Documents to prepare
- Passport with blank pages and sufficient validity
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport photo
- Flight and hotel bookings or invitation
- Financial proof and employment/student letter
- Business licence or admission letter where relevant
Common mistakes
- Applying for a tourist visa while intending to work or study.
- Submitting an invitation that does not match the itinerary.
- Buying a non-refundable ticket before the visa is approved.
- Overstaying or working on the wrong visa — both carry serious consequences.
If things go wrong
- If refused, ask for the refusal reason in writing before reapplying.
- If your plans change after approval, check whether you need a new visa.
FAQ
Can I work on a business visa?
No. A business visa is for meetings, trade fairs and commercial visits, not employment. Working requires a Z visa and work permit.
How early should I apply?
As soon as your plans are firm; appointments can be busy. Do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is issued.
Can I extend a tourist visa in China?
Extensions are possible in limited circumstances at the local exit-entry administration; apply before expiry and check current rules.
First 72 hours: the field guide
The first three days are mostly logistics: documents, a working phone, a bed and a registered address. Get those right and the rest of the trip becomes much easier.
Before you land
Keep one offline folder with your passport photo page, visa, insurance, first hotel address in Chinese and onward ticket. Put the hotel address on your lock screen or a paper card. If you take prescription medicine, keep it in hand luggage with the prescription; checked bags get delayed.
At the airport
Complete the arrival card before the queue. Use the foreign-passport lane unless a staff member directs you elsewhere. After baggage, choose the red customs channel if you have anything to declare: food, plants, large cash, restricted medicine or commercial samples. The green channel is only for nothing-to-declare.
The first evening
Buy or activate a data plan, test a small mobile payment, and confirm that the hotel has registered your passport. If you are staying privately, ask the host about police-station registration before you unpack. Save the local emergency numbers and your embassy contact.
Quick checks
- Passport, visa and hotel address offline
- Working data plan and one payment app
- Registration confirmed at hotel or police station
- Cash backup and a second card
- Embassy and 120/110 numbers saved
Printable checklist
Print this page or save it as a PDF. Tick each item before you go.
- Passport with blank pages and sufficient validity
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport photo
- Flight and hotel bookings or invitation
- Financial proof and employment/student letter
- Business licence or admission letter where relevant
- Decide the purpose of travel and the correct visa type.
- Check the Chinese embassy/visa centre website for your country and nationality.
- Complete the online application and print the confirmation.
- Book an appointment and prepare the exact document set.
- Attend biometrics/interview if required and pay the fee.
- Track processing and collect the passport; check the visa dates and entries.
This guide is a practical summary, not an official or legal document. Rules and prices change. Use the official links below, and confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Last verified 2026-10-29. China Handbook is independent and not affiliated with any government. Information is provided for general guidance only.