Visa requirements

China

General visa requirements for travelling to China. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.

Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.

Tourist visa (S2 Visa - Short-Term Private/Family Visit)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

• Maximum stay: 180 days
• Processing time: 4 business days
• Fee: $30 USD (varies by nationality; US: $185)
• Validity: Single or double entry: 3-6 months
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Available to nationals of all countries

• Purpose of visit

  Short-term family visit (180 days or fewer) to a foreign national family member working or studying in China

  Includes

  • Short-term family visit (180 days or fewer)

Documents you need

• Passport

  Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6

• Photo

  Count: 1; Specifications: Color photo, 33mm x 48mm, white background, bare-head, full face, taken within past 6 months

• Invitation letter

  Host requirements: Invitation letter from the foreign worker/student in China with contact details and relationship information

• Application form

  Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.

  Form name: Chinese Online Visa Application (COVA); Form url: https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn

• Relationship evidence

  Minimum evidence items: 1; Relationship type: Spouse, parent, child under 18, or parent-in-law

How to apply

1. Online application

   Fill in COVA form selecting S2 visa.

2. Document submission

   Submit all documents at CVASC or Embassy/Consulate.

3. Fee payment

   Pay applicable visa fee.

4. Processing wait

   Standard: 4 business days.

5. Visa collection

   Collect passport with S2 visa.

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Tourist visa (Unilateral Visa-Free Entry (30-Day))

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Visa free

• Maximum stay: 30 days
• Processing time: N/A - no application required
• Fee: Free
• Validity: Until December 31, 2026
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Must hold a valid ordinary passport from one of the 48 eligible countries listed in China's unilateral visa exemption policy

  Eligible countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay

• Purpose of visit

  Business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit purposes only. Long-term employment or study not permitted under this policy.

  Includes

  • Business
  • tourism
  • family visits
  • exchange visits
  • transit

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Tourist visa (Q2 Visa - Short-Term Family Visit (Chinese Citizen/Permanent Resident Family))

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

• Maximum stay: 180 days
• Processing time: 4 business days
• Fee: $30 USD (varies by nationality; US: $185)
• Validity: Single or multiple entry: 3-12 months
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Available to nationals of all countries who are family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents

• Purpose of visit

  Short-term family visit (180 days or fewer)

  Includes

  • Short-term family visit (180 days or fewer)

Documents you need

• Passport

  Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6

• Photo

  Count: 1; Specifications: Color photo, 33mm x 48mm, white background, bare-head, full face, taken within past 6 months

• Invitation letter

  Host requirements: Invitation letter from Chinese citizen or permanent resident family member with their ID details and relationship to applicant

• Application form

  Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.

  Form name: Chinese Online Visa Application (COVA); Form url: https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn

• Relationship evidence

  Minimum evidence items: 1; Relationship type: Family member of Chinese citizen or permanent resident

How to apply

1. Online application

   Fill in COVA form selecting Q2 visa.

2. Document submission

   Submit all documents at CVASC or Embassy/Consulate.

3. Fee payment

   Pay applicable visa fee.

4. Processing wait

   Standard: 4 business days.

5. Visa collection

   Collect passport with Q2 visa.

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Tourist visa (ASEAN Tourist Group Visa-Free (Xishuangbanna/Guilin))

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Visa free

• Maximum stay: 6 days
• Processing time: N/A - arranged through travel agency
• Fee: Free
• Validity: Ongoing regional policy
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Must hold an ordinary passport from an ASEAN member state (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) or ASEAN observer (Timor-Leste)

  Eligible countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam

• Purpose of visit

  Tourism only. Must travel as part of an organized group of 2+ persons arranged by a registered Chinese travel agency.

  Includes

  • Tourism (organized group only)

Documents you need

• Passport

  Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6

How to apply

1. Document submission

   Arrive as part of organized ASEAN tourist group through designated port. Travel agency handles entry formalities.

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Tourist visa (L Visa - Tourist Visa)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

• Maximum stay: 60 days
• Processing time: 4 business days (express: 2-3 days, rush: 1-2 days)
• Fee: $30 USD (varies by nationality; US: $185, UK: GBP 85+, Canada: CAD 100+)
• Validity: Single entry: 3 months; Double entry: 6 months; Multiple entry: 6-12 months
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Available to nationals of all countries not covered by visa-free policies who wish to visit China for tourism

• Purpose of visit

  Tourism, vacation, leisure, sightseeing, visiting friends

  Includes

  • Tourism
  • vacation
  • leisure
  • sightseeing

Documents you need

• Passport

  Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6

• Photo

  Count: 1; Specifications: Color photo, 33mm x 48mm, white background, bare-head, full face, taken within past 6 months

• Proof of funds

  Accepted forms: Bank statements, credit card statements, proof of employment; Minimum amount: Varies by consulate

• Accommodation proof

  Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.

  Accepted types: Hotel reservation, invitation from host in China, or tour itinerary (may be waived depending on consulate); Must cover full stay: No

• Application form

  Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.

  Form name: Chinese Online Visa Application (COVA); Form url: https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn

How to apply

1. Online application

   Register and fill in the Chinese Online Visa Application (COVA) form at cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn. Upload compliant photo and print the completed form.

2. Document gathering

   Gather passport, printed COVA form, photo, and any supporting documents (accommodation proof, itinerary if required by your consulate).

3. Appointment booking

   Schedule an appointment at your local Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or Chinese Embassy/Consulate.

4. Document submission

   Submit all documents in person at the CVASC or Embassy/Consulate. Biometrics (fingerprints) may be collected if not already on file.

5. Fee payment

   Pay the applicable visa fee. Accepted methods vary by location: credit card (Visa/Mastercard), money order, or cashier's check.

6. Processing wait

   Standard processing: 4 business days. Express service: 2-3 business days (additional $25). Rush service: 1-2 business days (additional $37, emergencies only).

7. Visa collection

   Collect passport with visa sticker from the CVASC or Embassy/Consulate, or arrange for postal delivery where available.

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Tourist visa (Mutual Visa Exemption (Ordinary Passport))

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Visa free

• Maximum stay: 30 days
• Processing time: N/A - no application required
• Fee: Free
• Validity: Permanent bilateral agreement
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Must hold a valid ordinary passport from one of the 29 countries with bilateral visa exemption agreements with China

  Eligible countries: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Qatar, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan

• Purpose of visit

  Tourism, business, family visits, exchange visits, and transit purposes only. No employment or long-term study permitted.

  Includes

  • Tourism
  • business
  • family visits
  • exchange visits
  • transit

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Tourist visa (Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Visa free

• Maximum stay: 30 days
• Processing time: N/A - applied at Hainan port of entry
• Fee: Free
• Validity: Ongoing policy
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Must hold an ordinary passport from one of the 59 eligible countries

  Eligible countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America

• Purpose of visit

  Tourism, business, visits, family visits, medical treatment, conferences/exhibitions, sports competitions. No long-term employment or study.

  Includes

  • Tourism
  • business
  • visits
  • family visits
  • medical
  • conferences
  • sports

Documents you need

• Passport

  Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6

How to apply

1. Document submission

   Present passport at any open port in Hainan Province. A visa-free entry stamp will be issued for up to 30 days.

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Tourist visa (Unilateral Visa-Free Entry - Russia)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Visa free

• Maximum stay: 30 days
• Processing time: N/A - no application required
• Fee: Free
• Validity: Until September 14, 2026
• Entry: Single entry

Eligibility

• Nationality

  Must hold a valid Russian ordinary passport

  Eligible countries: Russian Federation

• Purpose of visit

  Business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit only

  Includes

  • Business
  • tourism
  • family visits
  • exchange visits
  • transit

This information is provided for general guidance only. Visa requirements can change frequently and may vary by nationality. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before making travel plans. Contact [email protected] for assistance.