China Visa
Foreign tourists must apply for visas at China's foreign affairs offices, consulates or other organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while entering and leaving China. A passport is required for visa application, and the passport shall be valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of the tour. A group of five tourists or more can apply for a group tourist visa, and this is usually handled by a travel agency organizing groups. People coming to China from countries which have visa agreements with China (such as agreements which exempt tourist groups from visas) are treated in accordance with these agreements. Moreover, if you want to tour Tibet, you can appoint your China travel agency to apply for you. It could also be applied with the consent of the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region or any one of its foreign representative offices.

Visa is required for Americans, Canadians and people of most other nationalities who travel to China. Tourists can apply it directly at the Chinese Embassies and Consulate Generals around the world. BTW, for Canadian and Us passport holders who want to travel Hong Kong, visa is not required if your stay is less than 90 days. Other passport holders, please consult with your nearest PRC embassy or consulate.

Type of Visa

L Visa, China Tourist Visa is issued to travelers for touring China temporarily, sightseeing, visits with friends or relatives,  medical treatment or othrer private purpose. It is vaild for 6 months with single-entry, or 6 months with double-enry, 6 months with multiple-entry,and 12 months with multiple-entry.

F Visa, China Business Visa is issued to foreigners who are invited to China for business visit, consult with business associates, attend professional or business convention, make commercial contacts, or cultural exchanges, and short-term studies for a period no more than 6 months. It is valid for 6 months with single-entry, 6 months with double-entry, 6 months with multiple-entry, and 12 months with multiple-entry.

X Visa, China Student Visa is issued to foreigners who enter China for study, or advanced studies for a period of more than 6 months. If the period less than 6 months, the F Visa will be granted.

Z Visa, China Work Visa is issued to foreigners who enter China for a post or employment, and their accompanying family members. The passport holder shall go through residential formalities in the local public security department within thirty days of entry into China.

C Visa, China Crew Visa is issued to crew members to perform duties on board an international train, airlines or other vessel, and their accompanying family members.

G Visa, China Transit Visa is issued to foreigners transit through China.

1. Required Materials
The Visa office of the China’s Embassy in your country accepts visa, passport, notarization and authentication applications. At first, they will give you a China Visa Application Form to fill in. BTW, one recent 2-inch passport photo (black& white or colored) needed to be attached on the application form. Moreover, if your former nationality was Chinese, for the first time you apply for the visa, you need to write down your Chinese name. The original Chinese passport or the copy is required.

If you apply for Business”F” visa, you have to show an official invitation letter from the authorized Chinese government departments, companies or institutions. If you apply for Tourist/Family-visit “L” Visa, no additional documents are required, except travel to Tibet. Please remember: Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General does not issue individual visa for tourists to Tibet. All applicants who travel to Tibet need to contact their China travel agency to obtain confirmation for group (over 5 people) visa. One practical way to avoid being rejected if you want to visit Tibet is do not tell the visa office of China Embassy that Tibet is on your itinerary. After you entered China with China Visa, the travel agency could apply for the Tibet Enter permit for you without China Embassy.

2. How to apply (download Application Form of China Visa)
Supply the Application form of China Visa to Visa Office of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General which holds consular jurisdiction over the state where you live in. If you cannot come in person, you can entrust you friend or travel/visa agency to apply for you. Mailing is not acceptable and no appointment is required.

3. Processing Time
The regular processing time is 4 working days. 2-3 days is also available, $20 will be charged per visa for the express service. 

4. Visa Fees
1. Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, Cashier’s Check or Company Check is acceptable.
2. Please make the company check, cashier's check or money order payable to Chinese Embassy
3. Fee list: (American, Canadian, British for example)

Number of Entry                         American      Canadian       British
Single Entry                                130USD      50CAD         30GBP
Double Entry                              130USD      75CAD         45GBP
Multiple Entry for 6 Months           130USD      100CAD        60GBP
Multiple Entry for 12 Months         130USD      150CAD        90GBP