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Chinese VISA application: A complete guide (updated July 2015)
This article is a complete guide to getting a Chinese VISA. Keep reading to find the answer to the following questions:
Do I need a Chinese VISA?
Yes, generally speaking, you do. However there are several exceptions. You don’t need a VISA if:
- You hold a passport from Singapore, Brunei or Japan and you’re staying in China for less than 15 days.
How long does it take to get a VISA?
If you have all the necessary documents and hold a passport with at least six months validity and two blank pages, it should take between one (if you apply for the rush service) to four working days to get a Chinese VISA.
The best time to apply for a Chinese VISA is between two months and fifteen days before your departure. You can’t apply for your VISA too early because if you don’t use it, the VISA will expire after 90 days (or 180 days, in some cases), starting from the day you obtained it.
How much does it cost?
The price varies from 30 to 140 USD depending on your nationality, the type of VISA and the number of entries.
Usually it’s cheaper for European people, whereas American people are usually required to pay the full fee of 140 USD.
Where can I get a Chinese VISA?
In many countries, you must apply through the CVASC (Chinese VISA Application Service Center).
However, if in your country there is no CVASC (click on the link above to see the complete list), you shall still apply at the Chinese Consular Office that serves your province. This is also the case of people living in USA (you can click here to see where you shall apply if you are a US resident).
People that are already traveling or working in Asia may also apply in Hong Kong (at the moment, only through an agency, as applying for a VISA at the consular office is only possible for Hong Kong residents). Click here to read our guide to getting a Chinese VISA in Hong Kong.
Keep in mind that the government may abruptly decide to restrict or change VISA requirements in any moment, just like they did in 2008 (before the Olympic Games in Beijing) and in 2013.
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/chinese-visa-application/
