Get a China Visa
- When is the best time to apply for my China visa? The best time to apply for your China visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.
- Do I have to send you my passport to get a China visa? Is it safe to send a passport? You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The China visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa requests cannot be processed without your original passport. Because of the importance of your passport, we strongly suggest that you send your application and passport to CIBTvisas in a secure way, using a traceable courier such as FedEx, UPS, Express Mail or Certified Mail.
Business Visa Application Requirements for a China Visa
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact CIBTvisas at 800-929-2428 for further details.
Photographs
You must provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last six months, against an all white background, and printed on high-quality photo paper
- Be 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide exactly. Note many passport photo vendors provide standard photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression, eyes open, ears visible
- No background light or shadow over your face
- You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes
- You should not wear any garment identical to the photo background
- Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples
Letter of Invitation
You must provide a letter of invitation. Use the included template in this kit as a guide to the content and format of the invitation. All components are of the template are required.
Business Cover Letter
You are required to provide a Business Cover Letter from your U.S.-based company. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a U.S. mailing address. Use the included sample Business Cover Letter to complete your letter.In addition to the language provided in the sample, your Business Cover Letter must:
- The letter must be addressed to: Embassy of China
Proof of State Residency
You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver's license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:
- Display your name as it appears on your passport
- Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application
Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.
CIBTvisas Order Form
Provide the CIBTvisas Order Form included in this kit.
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. The application must:
- Be completed online
- Include answers for all required fields
- List the name of the traveler exactly as it is written in the passport
- Be printed single-sided
- Be dated and signed in blue or black ink
- Be enclosed with all other documents in your visa application kit
- Have your signature on the declaration confirmation page, as well as in section 9.1A
CIBTvisas provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://cibtvisas.com/forms?formname=China Application Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.
Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories
If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
- You must provide a copy of your most recent China visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
- If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
- If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers). If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.
Previous Visas
If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous China visa.If you no longer have the passport with the previous visa, you must provide a signed statement outlining that you no longer have that passport and what happened to it.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport may be asked to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. CIBTvisas will submit your request and follow up if the Embassy asks for you to appear in person.
NGO/Non-Profit Workers
If applying for a business visa, you must provide an employer letter and personal statement. Processing time varies on a case by case basis. If your employer is an NGO or nonprofit your application will require additional review by the China Visa Section.
Applicants with Criminal Record
Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the consulate in order to provide biometrics.
"Where You Stay" Form
You must provide a completed and signed "Where You Stay" form included in this kit.
Military Statement
If you have ever served in the military, are in active military duty, are on the reserves or retired from military, the Chinese Consulate request you to complete the DECLARATION OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE template form included in the kit.
The dates on this DECLARATION OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE form must match the dates on your application form for questions #8.8 and #8.12. The military information including dates of service must also be included in the Employment History section (3.2) of your application even thought this section only requires 5 year work history.Urgent Applications
If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, CIBTvisas can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A CIBTvisas expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly. Visit https://cibtvisas.com/visa-pre-check-service to learn more about this service.
Tourist Application Requirements for a China Visa
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
- Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- If requesting multiple entries, the passport must contain at least two blank facing visa pages, there can be no stamps or amendment endorsement type on the pages
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact CIBTvisas at 800-929-2428 for further details.
Photographs
You must provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following criteria:
- Be taken within the last six months, against an all white background, and printed on high-quality photo paper
- Be 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide exactly. Note many passport photo vendors provide standard photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches
- Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression, eyes open, ears visible
- No background light or shadow over your face
- You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes
- You should not wear any garment identical to the photo background
- Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples
Proof of State Residency
You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver's license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:
- Display your name as it appears on your passport
- Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application
Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.
CIBTvisas Order Form
Provide the CIBTvisas Order Form included in this kit.
Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. The application must:
- Be completed online
- Include answers for all required fields
- List the name of the traveler exactly as it is written in the passport
- Be printed single-sided
- Be dated and signed in blue or black ink
- Be enclosed with all other documents in your visa application kit
- Have your signature on the declaration confirmation page, as well as in section 9.1A
CIBTvisas provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://cibtvisas.com/forms?formname=China Application Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.
Travel Record
You must provide a copy of the travel record form included in this kit. The form must:
- Include all countries that you have visited in the last 28 days
- Be signed
- Include entry/exit dates of each travel
Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories
If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:
- You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
- You must provide a copy of your most recent China visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
- If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
- If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers). If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.
Applicants Under the Age of 18
All minors under the age of 18 traveling to China must:
- Provide a copy of their birth certificate
- Provide a copy of both parents' passports or drivers' licenses
- Provide a copy of the parents' proof of U.S. residency status (if not U.S. citizens)
- Provide a notarized letter of consent from both parents (if the parents are not accompanying the minor on the trip) that states the child has permission to travel. To access a sample consent letter, follow this link: https://cibtvisas.com/forms?formname=ParentalConsent.pdf or type the address into your browser
- On Page 4 (Part 4) of the application, both parents must sign Part 4 and print the name of the minor
- On Page 4 (Part 5) of the application, one parent's information must be filled in and that parent must sign Part 5
Media Professionals and Religious Professionals
If you are a religious professional, media professional or employed by a media company, even if you are not traveling for business purposes, you must submit both a personal statement and a letter from your employer on company letterhead indicating that you are not traveling on company business and will not be performing any media or religious related work.
Cruise Passengers
Cruise ship passengers: You must list the city where your ship docks in China in the Chinese address section of the application form.
Previous Visas
If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous China visa.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport may be asked to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. CIBTvisas will submit your request and follow up if the Embassy asks for you to appear in person.
NGO/Non-Profit Workers
If applying for a tourist visa, you must provide an employer letter and personal statement. Processing time varies on a case by case basis. If your employer is a NGO or nonprofit your application will require additional review by the China Visa Section.
Applicants with Criminal Record
Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the consulate in order to provide biometrics.
"Where You Stay" Form
You must provide a completed and signed "Where You Stay" form included in this kit.
Military Statement
If you have ever served in the military, are in active military duty, are on the reserves or retired from military, the Chinese Consulate request you to complete the DECLARATION OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE template form included in the kit.
The dates on this DECLARATION OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE form must match the dates on your application form for questions #8.8 and #8.12. The military information including dates of service must also be included in the Employment History section (3.2) of your application even thought this section only requires 5 year work history.Urgent Applications
If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, CIBTvisas can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A CIBTvisas expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly. Visit https://cibtvisas.com/visa-pre-check-service to learn more about this service.