A Chinese tourist visa is a requirement of all U.S. citizens who would like to do tourism on the mainland. While the Chinese consular services offers several differnt types of visas, this article will provide information on how to apply for a China tourist visa.
Visa applications by mail are no longer accepted by the Chinese consular services. You can submit the application yourself or get someone you know to do it for you. This can be a friend, relative, travel agent or visa expediter.
The validiy on a China visa can be either 3, 6 or 12 months. You have the choice of single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa. An additional travel permit is necessary in order to visit any non-open city. This can be obtained at the local public security bureau in China.
The China Tourist Visa
A China tourist visa, also known as an L visa, is usually valid for 30 days from the day of entry. Upon arrival, your documents will be examined by an inspection agent. If all your documentation is in order, an entry seal will be stamped in them. You have to submit a request at the local public security bureau if you decide to extend your stay in China.
A tourist visa limits your activity while in China to tourism and visits with family or friends. You need to request a Foreign Travel Permit at the local public security office if you would like to enter a restricted area.
Chinese Visa Requirements
The following items are required in order to obtain a tourist visa to China.
Declaration Form
All travelers who apply for a China visa are required to also complete the Declaration Form. You need to fill in your full name, nationality, passport number and the countries or U.S. states you have visited in the two weeks before filling out the form.
Valid United States Passport
You have to submit your current, valid and signed U.S. passport along with the application for the tourist visa. Your passport needs to have six months validity beyond your date that you arrive in China. Also, you should make sure you have at least one blank visa page in your passport.
ONE (1) Passport-Style Photograph
The photo has to be 2×2 inches in size. It is recommended that you obtain the photo at a location that has experience with passport photos. The photo will only be accepted by the consulate if it is high resolution, clear, and provides proper contrast with white background.
Completed Chinese Visa Application
The China visa application has seven sections. The first section is for personal information such as name, sex, nationality, date of birth, passport number, occupation, etc. The second section is where you provide information about your trip to China. You have to submit the reason for your trip, the number of entries you want, when you plan to arrive in China and how long you plan to stay.
Questions about your health and prior travel are found in Section 3. You need to include information about previous trips to China. Section 4 is for your contact information such as home address, work or school address, contact in China, telephone numbers and email.
The fifth section is for additional declarations about your trip. The sixth section asks information about the person that completed the form if other than the person requesting the visa. The seventh and final section is for your signature.
How to Get Your China Tourist Visa Quickly
Regular processing of your visa to China can take 4 business days or more. Express and rush processing can be requested in you need to obtain your visa quickly. Express processing takes 2 to 3 business days. Rush processing can be done in only 1 business day. Both these expediting services require the payment of an additional fee.
If you are unable to travel to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate general and do not have a friend or relative who can do it for you, then you will need to contract a private visa expediter. Expediters will submit your visa application and accompanying documentation for you. This allows you to get your China visa expedited as quickly as the same day.