Visa to China 🇨🇳✈
All you need to know about the rules for entering China
Traveling to China comes with many rules. In this guide, we will explain how to apply for a visa to China, when a visa application is required, how to submit it, the costs and differences between the different categories, and what a Chinese visa entitles you to.
Visa rules for Polish citizens
Firstly, it is worth reviewing the procedures for obtaining a visa, as citizens of some countries do not require a special travel permit. In this regard, entry rules to China are becoming more relaxed each year. On February 9, 2024, Polish citizens have been granted visa-free travel within Hainan Province. On July 1, 2024, the visa-free travel permit was extended to cover all of China. However, it is worth remembering that it has certain limitations.
Firstly, it applies only to holders of regular passports; diplomatic or temporary passports do not fall into this category. Secondly, it is important to remember the applicable limits: you can visit Hainan for 30 days, while visa-free travel to other provinces only applies to stays of up to 15 days.
It is also important to register your passport as soon as possible after arriving at your hotel, and if you are planning a longer trip, obtain a valid Chinese visa. Visa-free residence in China is not permitted for those planning to work or study. In such cases, you must submit an appropriate application.
Types of Chinese visas, the most important information
A valid Chinese visa entitles you to stay in the People’s Republic of China for a specific purpose and for a specific period of time. Due to the diversity of needs, specific visa categories have been established, the most popular of which include:
Tourist Visa – Type L – allows for a 30-day stay in China. It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue for a single entry and 180 days for a double entry.
Business Visa – Type M – a business visa is required for business and trade purposes. It allows for a 90-day stay in China. It is valid for 3 months for a single entry, 6 months for a double entry, or 12 months for multiple entries.
Student Visa – Types X1 and X2 – an X1 visa allows for a long-term study and a 30-day stay in China. During this time, it is necessary to obtain a residence permit, which, after the visa expires, becomes a key document allowing stay and continued education in the People’s Republic of China. The X2 visa, on the other hand, allows for a short-term study in China, for example, summer programs organized by Chinese universities. It allows for a stay of no longer than 180 days, and is valid for that period. X-type visas usually do not allow for double or multiple entries.
Work Visa – Type Z – a work visa allows for employment in China. It usually allows for a 30-day stay, during which you must visit an immigration office to obtain an Alien Residence Permit, which allows for residence and legal work. Type Z visa is for a single-entry, but the residence permit itself allows for multiple entries into China.
Scientific Visa – type F – a Chinese scientific visa entitles you to short-term business trips to exchange experiences, participate in conferences, courses, seminars, etc. It is a single or multiple entry, usually valid for 3 months to a year and allows for a stay of 30 to 180 days.
See: HOW TO STUDY IN TAIWAN?
Obtaining a tourist visa, booking a hotel
Obtaining a tourist visa will be necessary if you are planning a longer, sightseeing trip. While the process is relatively straightforward, it does require preparing a complete set of documents and attending a visa centre in person. Below is a list of steps you should take to obtain a tourist visa.
Obtaining a tourist visa, required documents - step-by-step guide
- Passport: It must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your intended entry into China and contain at least one blank page.
- Completed application form: This can be downloaded from the Chinese Embassy website. Please ensure the form is completed accurately and correctly and is marked Form V.2013.
- Passport photo: A color photo against a white background, taken within the last 6 months, measuring 33 mm x 48 mm.
- Flight ticket reservation: A copy of your return ticket to Poland or proof of flight reservation.
- Hotel reservation confirmation: You must provide confirmation of your hotel reservation for the duration of your stay in China.
- Travel plan: It is a good idea to prepare a simple travel plan, indicating the places you plan to visit in China and the expected dates of your stay at each location.
- Health insurance: Although not mandatory, it is recommended to purchase health insurance for your stay in China.
- In Poland, visa applications to China are submitted through the China Visa Application Service Centres, located in Warsaw and Gdańsk. Appointments must be made in advance.
- Appointments can be booked online through the China Visa Service Application Centre website or by phone.
- You must go in person to your chosen China Visa Application Service Centre for an appointment. Applications cannot be submitted by mail or through intermediaries.
- During your visit to the China Visa Application Service Centre, you will submit a complete set of documents, provide fingerprints, and pay the visa fee. Prices may vary depending on the type of travel permit (single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry).
- Exemptions from fingerprinting are children under 14 and adults over 70, individuals whose health prevents fingerprinting, applicants who have submitted fingerprints at the same visa centre within the last five years and use the same passport, and individuals holding diplomatic passports or qualifying for exemptions under special international agreements.
The application review process usually takes 4-10 business days.
- Once the visa application is approved, a notification is sent informing the centre that it is ready to issue a visa.
- The travel document with the visa can be collected in person or indirectly, provided the appropriate power of attorney is provided.
After collecting your passport, the tourist visa should be checked for the correctness of the following data:
- Visa validity date,
- Number of entries,
- Maximum length of stay.
Tourist visa prices
- PLN 330 for a single-entry visa,
- PLN 495 for a double-entry visa,
- PLN 660 for a multiple-entry visa (valid for 6 months),
- PLN 990 for a multiple-entry visa (valid for 12 months).
A fee for the services of a specific institution may be added to this.
Obtaining a business visa
Chinese business visas are intended for individuals who plan to conduct business activities in China, such as meetings with business partners, negotiations, attending trade fairs, or other short-term trade-related activities. The procedures for obtaining a business visa are remarkably similar to those for a tourist visa. However, the difference is that business visas require an invitation from the Chinese business partner.
Obtaining a student visa
The process of obtaining a student visa differs significantly from that of obtaining a tourist visa. The differences lie primarily in the documents required for issuing a tourist visa or a Chinese business visa, but also in the rules.
Documents distinguishing a tourist visa from a student visa
In addition to the documents required for previous visas, such as a valid passport with six months of validity, completing the visa application form, and providing passport size photos, you must also prepare an acceptance letter from your Chinese university and form JW201 or JW202, which is a document from your Chinese educational institution confirming acceptance and a medical examination (for the X1 visa for long-term study). However, a hotel reservation or plane ticket is not necessary.
For the X1 visa, a residence permit is required, as it is only valid for 30 days. After that, a residence permit becomes your primary travel document. However, for other visa types, you must leave China after the visa expires.
Student visa price
A Type X entry permit usually has a fixed cost, but with additional costs related to a residence permit.
Author: Weronika Ochmańska
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Visa to China
The most frequently asked questions.
What travel document can be used to cross the border?
To cross the Chinese border, you must have a valid passport or temporary passport and an appropriate visa.
What is the minimum validity of a travel document?
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into China.
Is it possible to obtain a Chinese tourist visa if you do not have a plane ticket and/or hotel reservation?
It is recommended to have reservations ready, as standard procedures require them. However, in certain cases, it is possible to obtain a visa without these documents, such as when:
1. You received an invitation from someone in China:
If, instead of a hotel reservation, you have an invitation from a Chinese citizen or resident with whom you intend to stay, you can substitute the hotel reservation with an invitation. This invitation must include details about the person inviting you, including your home address, phone number, and relationship to an applicant.
2. Flexibility at local visa offices:
In some cases, visa centres can be flexible, but this usually requires providing solid reasons for not having a ticket or reservation, as well as alternative proof of travel plans, such as a detailed itinerary or intention to purchase a ticket.
When can you get a student visa?
To obtain a student visa, you must first be accepted to study at a Chinese university. The university issues an official acceptance letter, which is necessary for submitting your application. For an X1 visa, you also need form JW201 or JW202, which confirms your acceptance to the institution in China.
Can I apply for a business visa for one year?
Yes, you can apply for a Chinese M-type business visa with validity of up to 1 year. This visa can be issued for multiple entries, allowing you to travel to China multiple times for business purposes within a 12-month period.
What type of visa to China should I apply for if I am going to a trade fair as a visitor?
If you plan to attend a trade fair in China as a visitor, you should apply for a business visa. This visa is intended for people traveling to China for commercial purposes, such as attending trade fairs, business negotiations, or meetings with business partners.
What is the procedure for obtaining a Chinese visa for a child?
The visa application process for children is highly similar to that for adults, but requires additional documents related to the child’s age and caregivers.
The list of additional documents includes:
Completed visa application form: Form V.2013, which can be downloaded from the China Visa Application Service Centre website. It must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Child’s Birth Certificate: A copy of the Birth Certificate, confirming the relationship between a child and parents or guardians.
Parents’/guardians’ documents: Passports of both parents (or legal guardians): Passports must be valid for at least six months and contain at least one blank page.
Copy of parent’s valid Chinese visa: If one parent already has a visa to China, a copy may be required.
Travel authorization: If a child is traveling with only one parent or a legal guardian, notarized consent from the other parent or both parents (if a child is traveling with a guardian) may be required.
Please note:
Documents should be provided by a child’s parent or legal guardian.
Documents such as the Birth Certificate and consent from the other parent may require notarization, so it is worth preparing this in advance.
Children under 14 are exempt from providing fingerprints.
Does a child need to have their own passport to obtain a visa?
Yes, a child must have their own passport to obtain a visa to China. Every applicant, regardless of age, must have their own passport, where they will have their visa stamped in.
What does "number of entries" mean?
The number of entries refers to the number of times you can enter the territory of the People’s Republic of China. If you exceed this limit, your visa expires. For example, if you have a 30-day tourist visa with a single entry and leave China on the 24th day, the visa expires and you cannot return to China on it, even if you theoretically have six days left. In such a case, you will need to re-apply for a tourist visa.
Is a single-entry visa enough to visit Hong Kong as well?
No, if you plan to return from Hong Kong to Mainland China. It is worth remembering that Hong Kong and Macau, as special administrative regions, have separate entry rules and are treated as separate countries for visa purposes. If you plan to travel within China between provinces, it is also worth checking the border crossing regulations between them, as a valid Chinese visa may be required in one place, but not in Hainan, for example.
What documents should I provide for a visa?
Depending on the type of visa, different documents may be required. To obtain a tourist visa, you must provide:
- Passport,
- completed application form,
- passport size photo,
- flight ticket reservation
and hotel reservation confirmation, - travel itinerary.
Do I need to send my passport when applying for a consular visa?
Yes, entry requirements for China state that you submit your original passport when applying for a Chinese visa (whether for tourists, business travelers, or other visas). This is required because the visa will be affixed directly to it.
How much does a visa cost?
Visa prices may vary depending on the type, the date of obtaining the visa and the fees charged by individual agencies, but the standard cost is as follows:
- PLN 330 for a single-entry visa,
- PLN 495 for a double-entry visa,
- PLN 660 for a multiple-entry visa (valid for 6 months),
- PLN 990 for a multiple-entry visa (valid for 12 months).
What are the rules for accepting visa applications to China?
Visa rules for Polish citizens are as follows:
1. Visa applications to China must be submitted to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre.
2. Required documents: passport, visa application form, passport size photo, other documents supporting the purpose of travel, proof of health insurance (not always required but recommended).
3. Fingerprints are collected during the visit to the centre. Visa fees vary depending on the number of entries and visa type.
4. The standard processing time for a visa application is 4 to 10 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee, depending on the location of an applicant.
5. Advance appointments at the visa centre are required.
6. In some cases, additional documents may be required, such as a Certificate of Clear Criminal Record or proof of financial means for the duration of the stay.
Before submitting your application, it is recommended to check the current requirements on the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Poland or contact the Chinese consulate.
What documents are needed to obtain a tourist visa to China?
Visa rules for Polish citizens are characterized by the following points:
- Passport
- Completed application
- Passport photo
- Flight ticket reservation
- Confirmation of hotel reservation
- Travel plan
What does visa validity period mean?
The visa expiration date is the last day you can enter the country for which the visa was issued. After this date, the visa expires, even if it has not yet been used.
Can I apply for a visa to China without visiting the visa centre in Warsaw?
No, in most cases you cannot apply for a Chinese visa without visiting a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in person (e.g. in Warsaw or Gdańsk).