How to Apply for a Chinese Visa? What Documents Are Required? (2025 Policy & Step-by-Step Guide)

China’s visa system combines rich cultural heritage with modern digital efficiency, offering travelers, professionals, and students streamlined pathways to explore its dynamic landscapes and opportunities. This guide distills the essential information from the comprehensive 10,000-word handbook, focusing on 2025’s updated policies and practical application steps.

Visa Types & Eligibility
2025 Visa Policy Updates
Step-by-Step Application Process
Required Documents Checklist
Visa-Free Entry & Transit Policies
Special Cases & Regional Requirements
Common Mistakes & Solutions
Post-Approval Procedures
FAQs
Resources & Official Links

1. Visa Types & Eligibility

China offers 12 visa categories tailored to different travel purposes. Below are the most common types for 2025:

A. Tourist Visa (L Visa)

Purpose: Sightseeing, visiting friends/relatives.
Validity: 30–90 days, single/multiple entries.
Key Requirements:
- Round-trip flight bookings.
- Hotel reservations or invitation letter from a Chinese host .
- Note: U.S. citizens are exempt from submitting hotel/flight proofs but must provide a detailed itinerary .

B. Business Visa (M Visa)

Purpose: Commercial activities, conferences, or trade.
Validity: 60–90 days.
Key Requirements:
- Invitation letter from a registered Chinese company (with official seal and legal representative’s signature) .
- Proof of business registration in China .

C. Work Visa (Z Visa)

Purpose: Long-term employment.
Validity: 1–5 years.
Key Requirements:
- Foreigner’s Work Permit Notice issued by Chinese authorities.
- Health certificate and criminal record check .

D. Student Visa (X Visa)

Purpose: Academic programs lasting >180 days.
Validity: Matches study duration.
Key Requirements:
- Admission notice from a Chinese institution.
- JW201/JW202 Form for government-sponsored students .

E. Transit Visa (G Visa)

Purpose: Short stays en route to a third country.
Validity: 10 days (240 hours) under the expanded 2025 policy .
Key Requirements:
- Onward ticket to a third country.

2. 2025 Visa Policy Updates

China has introduced significant changes to streamline travel:

A. Visa-Free Entry Expansion

30-Day Visa-Free Access: Citizens of 54 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan, and EU nations, can enter China without a visa for tourism/business until December 31, 2025 .
ASEAN Tourist Groups: Groups from ASEAN countries visiting Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, enjoy 6-day visa-free stays .

B. Transit Visa Exemptions

240-Hour Transit: Available at 60 ports (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai) for travelers from 54 countries, including the U.S., Australia, and South Korea .
Eligible Routes: Must involve travel to a third country (e.g., U.S. → China → Japan) .

C. Digital Integration

COVA System: Mandatory online form submission via the China Online Visa Application (COVA) .
E-Visa Pilot: Launched in 10 cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, allowing QR code entry for approved applicants.

3. Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Confirm Visa Type

Use the Chinese Embassy’s Visa Wizard to select the appropriate category .

Step 2: Prepare Documents

See Section 4 for a detailed checklist.

Step 3: Complete the COVA Form

Access the COVA portal.
Critical Fields:
- Passport number and expiration date.
- Travel dates matching flight/hotel bookings.
- Warning: Errors in COVA forms cause 40% of rejections .

Step 4: Schedule an Appointment

Book via the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC).
Priority: Major cities like New York and London offer expedited slots.

Step 5: Submit Materials In-Person

Required:
- Printed COVA form.
- Passport with ≥6 months validity and 2 blank pages .
- Recent color photo (48×33mm, white background, no glasses) .
Biometrics: Fingerprint scans mandatory for ages 14–70 .

Step 6: Pay Fees

Standard Processing: 140–200 (4–7 business days).
Expedited Service: +$50 for 2–3 day processing .

Step 7: Collect Visa

Track status via CVASC and present the pickup slip.

4. Required Documents Checklist

A. Universal Requirements

Document	Specifications
Passport	Valid ≥6 months; undamaged with 2 blank pages .
COVA Form	Printed and signed; no discrepancies with supporting documents .
Photo	48×33mm, white background, taken within 6 months .
Proof of Residency	Required for non-citizens (e.g., U.S. Green Card) .

B. Supporting Documents by Visa Type

Visa Type	Additional Materials
Tourist (L)	Hotel bookings or invitation letter from a Chinese host .
Business (M)	Company invitation letter with official seal .
Work (Z)	Foreigner’s Work Permit Notice and health certificate .
Student (X)	Admission notice and JW201/JW202 Form .

5. Visa-Free Entry & Transit Policies

A. 30-Day Visa-Free Countries (Partial List)

Region	Countries
Americas	U.S., Canada, Brazil
Europe	France, Germany, Italy
Asia-Pacific	Japan, South Korea, Australia

Full list available on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website .

B. Transit Exemptions

240-Hour Transit: Available at 21 new ports, including Chengdu and Xiamen .
Conditions: Onward ticket to a third country within 10 days .

6. Special Cases & Regional Requirements

A. Former Chinese Citizens

Submit previous Chinese passports and naturalization certificates .

B. Tibet Travel

Permit Required: Apply via authorized agencies; mandatory guided tours .

C. Hainan Province

59-Country Visa-Free Access: 30-day stays for tourism .

7. Common Mistakes & Solutions

Issue	Solution
Incorrect Photos	Use CVASC Photo Tool for compliance .
Passport Damage	Renew passports showing wear/tear .
Invitation Letter Errors	Ensure the letter includes the host’s ID copy and contact details .

8. Post-Approval Procedures

A. Visa Extensions

Apply at local Entry-Exit Bureaus in China; extensions granted for emergencies only .

B. Address Registration

9. FAQs

Q: Can I apply for a visa in a third country?
A: Yes, but you must provide proof of legal residency there .

Q: How long does visa processing take?
A: 4–7 business days; expedited options available .

10. Resources & Official Links

This guide synthesizes the latest 2025 policies from Chinese embassies, visa centers, and official announcements. Always verify requirements with your local embassy before applying.

http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/202309/t20230919_11144908.htm

https://in.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/tzts/202504/t20250411_11593188.htm

https://ee.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zytz/202504/t20250408_11590214.htm

https://mt.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/202503/t20250328_11583470.htm

https://www.visaforchina.cn/MNL3_EN/

https://www.visaforchina.cn/HKG3_EN/

http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng//zytz/202206/t20220614_10702581.htm

https://bio.visaforchina.cn/KTM3_EN/upload/20240315/0d4142f41a9b40a0887a7217f83caffc.pdf

http://losangeles.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/visa/chinavisa/201803/P020210814218272337733.pdf

http://newyork.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/tzgg/

https://www.visaforchina.cn/HKG3_EN/

https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/