China Tourist Visa Guide

Click "Start my application" and select your region and the city where you wish to apply. Each Chinese post only accepts applications from people residing within its consular district — click here to check which Consulate you should apply to based on where you reside.

Create an account and log in to start your application. You may save your draft at any point via the "Personal Centre" button in the dropdown menu under your email (top right corner). Drafts are kept in the system for 30 days.

In addition to completing all other relevant sections of the application form, please take special note of the following fields:

Upload materials as image files (not PDFs). Make sure images are clearly legible and evenly lit.

Log into your account on the China Online Visa Application system to check your status. If supplementary documents or corrections are required, the system will notify you with messages such as "Supplementary Materials to be provided" or "Rejected and to be modified."

Log in periodically and check "Track the status of my application" to upload additional documents or amend information as required. Do not submit your passport until the status changes to "Passport to be Submitted."

If you need to correct a mistake, the current FAQ says you must cancel and resubmit. You may cancel up to two times within 90 days.

When the status changes to "Passport to be Submitted," submit the following physical documents in person (no appointment needed) or through an agent. Walk-in submission is available during office hours. Current U.S. practice does not require a power of attorney to use an agent.

Tourist applicants in the U.S. are currently exempt from fingerprint collection through December 31, 2026, though you should confirm the latest policy with your specific post before visiting.

• Printed barcode page from the application system showing "Passport to be Submitted" status.
• Your actual passport (must have more than 6 months validity and at least 2 blank visa pages).

• Old passport containing a previous Chinese visa or residence permit still within validity.
• If you were formerly of Chinese nationality, your latest Chinese passport is required on-site.

Mail-in submissions: Do not assume mail-in service is available. The Embassy in Washington does not provide mailing service for visa applications, and some consulates explicitly state that no mail-in applications are accepted. Check your specific post's current policy.

When the status changes to "Passport to be Collected," bring the Pick-up Receipt (issued when you submitted your documents) to pay the fee and retrieve your passport. No appointment is needed.

Standard processing takes approximately 4 business days from passport submission. Expedited service, where available and approved, takes approximately 2–3 business days.

The fees above apply to U.S. passport holders and are valid through December 31, 2026. If you hold a different passport, your fee may be higher or lower — check with your consulate for the rate that applies to your nationality. Accepted payment methods typically include Visa or Mastercard credit card, money order, and cashier's check. Cash and personal checks are generally not accepted. Confirm payment options with your specific post before pickup.

Always check your visa carefully before leaving the counter. Verify your name, passport number, visa type, number of entries, validity period, and permitted duration of each stay.

Once you arrive in China, keep a few things in mind to ensure a smooth trip:

• Register within 24 hours — You are required by law to register your stay with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival at each location. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel handles this automatically. If you are staying with friends or in a private residence, you must register in person at the nearest police station.
• Online arrival card — China allows foreign nationals to complete an arrival card in advance through the National Immigration Administration's official channels, though you can still complete arrival formalities at the port if you don't do it ahead of time.
• Tibet requires a separate permit — A visa alone is not enough to visit Tibet. An additional Tibet Travel Permit must be arranged in advance, typically through a licensed travel agency.
• Stay within your visa terms — Observe the duration-of-stay limit printed on your visa. Overstaying can result in fines, detention, or future visa difficulties.

If you have an old passport with a still-valid Chinese visa and your personal information hasn't changed, current guidance says you may travel with both your new valid passport and the old passport containing the visa — without needing to apply for a new one.