Tips

Applying for a Chinese Visa: Requirements and Procedures

To be eligible for a Chinese Visa, applicants must meet certain requirements and follow a specific application process. It is important to understand these criteria and procedures to increase your chances of a successful visa application.

Administrator

13 July, 2024

Getting a Chinese visa can be a challenging task, but this guide will provide you with all the information you need to successfully navigate the process. Whether you’re planning to travel to China for business, tourism, or any other purpose, understanding the requirements and procedures is essential.

1Chinese Visa Requirements

To obtain a Chinese visa, it is crucial to first determine your purpose of visit and the duration of your stay. China offers 18 types of visas catering to different needs, and the Chinese Embassy will have specific requirements for each type. However, there are some basic criteria that you must fulfill:

Different types of visas have different requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your planned departure from China, with at least one blank page for the visa.

You need to provide proof of a stable job and a good income in Vietnam, demonstrating that you have no intention of overstaying or engaging in illegal activities in China.

Financial capability to support your trip is essential. You must show that you can cover all expenses during your stay.

A detailed itinerary that aligns with your visa purpose is necessary.

A complete and accurate application form, along with all the required supporting documents, is a basic requirement.

2Documents Required for a Chinese Visa

Personal Documents

Ensure you have the following:

Original passport with at least six months’ validity and one blank page, along with a copy of the information page and your photo.

A copy of your ID card or citizen identification card.

If it is your first time applying for a Chinese visa, provide a copy of your household registration book.

Documents required for a Chinese visa

Visa Application Form

There are two types of application forms: bilingual Chinese-English and bilingual Chinese-Vietnamese. You can choose either of them to fill out. A helpful tip is to complete the form beforehand to allow for thorough checking and avoid mistakes, saving time when you visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

Sample Chinese visa application form

Photographs for the Visa

To obtain a Chinese visa, you need two photographs that meet the following criteria:

Size: 4x6cm, taken within the last six months.

White background.

The applicant should wear a colored collared shirt.

Hair should not cover the eyebrows or ears.

No glasses or accessories should be worn.

A neutral expression is required (no smiling).

Photograph requirements for a Chinese visa

Employment Verification

While not mandatory, providing proof of employment can strengthen your application and increase your chances of visa approval. This includes:

Employment contract, appointment letter, or decision on employment (for employees).

A copy of the business license with a company seal (for business owners).

Documents proving employment

Financial Proof

Financial proof is also not mandatory for most Chinese visa types. However, in certain cases, you may need to provide this to meet specific criteria, such as for a student visa. To demonstrate financial capability, you should have a savings account with a balance of at least 50 million VND, maintained for at least three months. If you don’t have a savings account, equivalent assets such as real estate, car ownership, or other valuable possessions can be considered.

Financial proof for a Chinese visa

Travel Documents

To validate the legality of your trip, you will need:

Confirmed round-trip flight tickets to China.

Hotel reservation confirmation or an invitation letter from a Chinese individual or entity.

A detailed itinerary of your planned activities during your stay in China.

Flight tickets are among the required travel documents

Important Notes

All copies of documents, such as passports, ID cards, citizen identification cards, and household registration books, must be printed on A4-sized paper, with each side on a separate sheet, duly notarized, and without any cropping.

The household registration book and travel itinerary must be translated into Chinese or bilingual English-Vietnamese.

Ensure that all travel dates in your documents match.

Only immediate family members (parents, siblings, spouse) can be authorized to submit the application on your behalf, and they must present relevant documents, such as a birth certificate, household registration book, and marriage certificate (in the case of a spouse).

All copies must be printed on A4-sized paper

3Chinese Visa Application Procedure

Prepare Your Documents

This is a crucial step, as a complete and well-prepared set of documents will increase your chances of visa approval. Make sure you have all the necessary papers as mentioned above.

Prepare all the required documents for your Chinese visa application

Schedule an Appointment

While not mandatory, scheduling an appointment in advance can save you time. Here’s how:

Visit the website visaforchina.org, scroll down, and select Vietnam, followed by your preferred document submission location.

Choose Vietnamese as the language and select the Quick Entry option.

Click on “Online Appointment” and then “Personal Tourism (Visa Application)” on the next page.

Fill in your personal details, including your name, phone number, and email address. The maximum number of applications per appointment is five.

Complete the captcha verification.

Choose your preferred appointment date and time and confirm.

Print the appointment confirmation and include it in your application package.

Appointment scheduling interface on visaforchina.org

Submit Your Application

To submit your application, visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Center at your chosen location. It is recommended to arrive 20 minutes before your appointment time to queue and have your documents checked by the staff, who will then assign you a submission number.

Submit your application at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center

Receive Your Visa

Once your application is approved, you will receive a notification to collect your passport and visa. Currently, the Chinese Visa Application Service Center does not accept applications or return passports by mail, so make sure to arrange for in-person collection. In case of unavoidable circumstances, you may authorize someone else to collect on your behalf. If you lose your receipt, you must personally bring your ID card or citizen identification card (original and copy) to retrieve your passport and visa.

Try to arrange for in-person collection of your visa

4Chinese Visa Fees

The visa fees vary depending on the type of visa, number of entries, and urgency of the application. The fees are subject to change annually or with new policies implemented by the Chinese Consulate. You will need to pay both the Consulate fee in USD and the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) fee in VND if you are applying for the visa directly without an intermediary.

Chinese visa fees depend on various factors

Regular Chinese Visa Fees:

3-month single entry: $60 (Consulate fee) + 685,000 VND (CVASC fee)

3-month double entry: $90 (Consulate fee) + 685,000 VND (CVASC fee)

6-month multiple entries: $120 (Consulate fee) + 685,000 VND (CVASC fee)

12-month multiple entries: $180 (Consulate fee) + 685,000 VND (CVASC fee)

Expedited Chinese Visa Fees:

3-month single entry: $85 (Consulate fee) + 1,028,000 VND (CVASC fee)

3-month double entry: $115 (Consulate fee) + 1,028,000 VND (CVASC fee)

6-month multiple entries: $145 (Consulate fee) + 1,028,000 VND (CVASC fee)

12-month multiple entries: $205 (Consulate fee) + 1,028,000 VND (CVASC fee)

Important Notes:

The Consulate fee must be paid in USD, while the CVASC fee is paid in VND.

Visa fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.

Frequently asked questions

The requirements for a Chinese visa vary depending on the type of visa and your country of citizenship. However, some common requirements include a completed application form, a valid passport, recent passport-sized photos, proof of financial support, and a copy of your itinerary or tickets.

There are several types of Chinese visas, including tourist visas (L visa), business visas (M visa), work visas (Z visa), student visas (X visa), and transit visas (G visa). The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit.

You can apply for a Chinese visa by completing the application form, gathering the required documents, and submitting them to the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. Alternatively, you can use the services of a reputable visa agency to assist you with the process.

The processing time for a Chinese visa depends on the specific Chinese embassy or consulate handling your application. It can vary from a few days to several weeks, so it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned travel date.

If you are transiting through China and will not leave the airport, you may not need a visa if your layover is less than 24 hours. However, if you plan to leave the airport or your layover exceeds 24 hours, you will need to obtain a transit visa (G visa).

Yes, there are certain restrictions and requirements that you should be aware of before traveling to China. For example, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure, and you may need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.

It is possible to extend your Chinese visa in certain circumstances. You will need to apply for a visa extension at a local Public Security Bureau Exit and Entry Administration office before your current visa expires. The approval of the extension is at the discretion of the Chinese authorities.

The duration of stay allowed with a Chinese tourist visa (L visa) depends on your nationality and the specific visa you obtain. Typically, a single-entry tourist visa is valid for a stay of up to 30 days, while a double-entry or multiple-entry tourist visa may allow for stays of up to 60 or 90 days, respectively.

Yes, applying for a work visa (Z visa) in China requires additional documentation. You will need to provide an invitation letter or confirmation from your employer in China, as well as a work permit or license issued by the Chinese government.

While some steps of the Chinese visa application process can be completed online, such as filling out the application form, you will generally need to submit your documents and application in person at a Chinese embassy or consulate, or through an authorized visa agency.