1. Do I need a visa before visiting China’s mainland?

Answer: Foreign citizens generally need a visa to visit China’s mainland with the exception of visa-free entry according to relevant agreements and regulations. See “Visa for China (Mainland Only)” for more information.

2. What type of visa should I apply for?

Answer: It depends on the purpose of your trip to China and other factors. See “Brief Introduction of Visa for China (Mainland Only)” for more information on visa types. The Chinese Embassy has the final say on the type of visa to be issued.

3. Can I apply for a port visa?

Answer: From 12:00 a.m. (Beijing Time), March 15, 2023, the port visa offices will resume examining and issuing various types of port visas.

4. What documents should I submit when I apply for a visa? What are the requirements?

Answer: Necessary documents should be submitted based on the purpose of your trip to China. See relevant visa regulations for details.

5. How long before my planned trip should I apply for a visa?

Answer: It is suggested that you submit visa application a month before your planned trip to China. If you apply for the visa too early, the visa may have expired when you need to use it. If you apply for the visa too late, you may not have enough time to get the visa.

6. How long does it take to get a visa after my application?

Answer: If you have submitted all documents required, it normally takes 4 business days (it varies case by case). If you have a special or emergent situation, you may request an express service (2 or 3 business days) with an additional fee. Approval for such services may or may not be provided by the Chinese Embassy. Applicants should come on time to get the visa approved. Visas will be deemed abandoned, if not collected by the applicant after 90 days from the day when it should be.

7. Can I apply for a visa by mail? Could you mail the passport with visa back to me?

Answer: No.

Most Visa applicants are required to submit the application documents and have their fingerprints collected in person. The Chinese Embassy and Chinese Visa Application Service Center do not accept mailed visa applications, or mail back your application materials or your passport with the visa on it. If applicants are children under the age of 14 or adults over 70, or those holding the same passports and whose fingerprints have been collected within the last five years at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Bangkok, they may, on a voluntary basis, entrust others to submit visa applications or get the visas, and applicants should take all responsibilities arising from it.

8. I live far away from the Chinese Visa Application Services Center and cannot submit the application in person. How can I apply for a visa?

Answer: Applicants who are not exempted from fingerprint collection need to submit the application in person. If the Chinese Embassy requires an interview with the applicant, the applicant must be there in person.

9. Do I need to make an appointment for visa application?

Answer:  No need to make an appointment.

10. What does “Entries” on the visa mean? What should I do if the number of entries on the visa runs out?

Answer: “Entries” refers to the number of times the bearer of a visa is permitted to enter China within the validity of the visa. It can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. For single-entry and double-entry visas, once the number of entries is used up, the visa becomes invalid, and you need to apply for a new visa to visit China again. A visa also becomes invalid if its validity period expires, regardless of the number of entries left. Visiting China with an invalid visa will result in denial of entry. Therefore, please check your visa’s number of entries and make sure you have a valid visa before your departure for China

11. When will my visa become valid and when will it expire?

Answer: The validity of a visa starts from the date of issue, unless otherwise indicated on the visa.

A visa expires under any of the following circumstances:

1) After 24:00 (Beijing Time) of “Enter Before Date” shown on the visa;

2) The number of entries is used up;

3) The visa is revoked or canceled by the Chinese government authorities;

4) Other circumstances in accordance with Chinese laws.

12. Can I change my travel plan after getting a visa?

Answer: Unless otherwise specified, you can change your travel plan. But you must enter China before your visa expires. The Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate General in Thailand will not be responsible if your visa cannot be used due to any change of your travel plan.

13. What does “Duration of Each Stay” mean? What should I do if I want to stay in China longer than the “Duration of Each Stay” allowed?

Answer: “Duration of Each Stay” refers to the maximum days the bearer of a visa is permitted to stay in China. “The Duration of Each Stay” is calculated from the date of entry into China. Bearer of an ordinary visa should apply for an extension of the duration at the local public security authorities if he/she intends to stay in China longer than the “Duration of Each Stay” shown on the visa (but the application may or may not be approved).

Bearers of Z, X1, J1, Q1, S1 or D visas must apply for a resident permit at the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China, otherwise their stay in China will be illegal.

Overstaying a visa in China is a violation of Chinese laws and regulations. The violation is subject to fines and other penalties. Please check the duration of each stay on the visa and make sure you do not overstay your visa in China.

14. Can the validity, duration of each stay or number of entries be changed after I get the visa?

Answer: No, they cannot be changed. Please plan your trip before applying for a visa, and fill out the application form with accurate and complete information. You should check the contents of your visa when you get it. If you want to change your visa, you should submit a new application, pay the visa fee and service fee again.

15. What a foreign citizen needs to know during his/her stay in China?

Answer: A foreign citizen in China should comply with Chinese laws and regulations, and should not engage in activities unrelated to the purpose of the trip specified on your visa application form or not authorized by relevant Chinese government authorities. If a foreigner intends to work in China, he/she must apply for a work permit at competent authorities. Violators of relevant laws and regulations will be punished.

16. Can I enter China after I get the visa?

Answer: After getting the visa, you can enter China via Chinese ports open to foreigners. Chinese immigration and customs officials reserve the right to allow or deny a visa bearer’s entry into China.

17. I get a new passport, but I have a valid Chinese visa on my old passport. Can I travel with both passports to China without applying for a new visa?

Answer: If your passport has expired or is going to expire in 6 months or less, you should apply for a new visa with your new passport.

18. If my visa expires during my stay in China, can I continue my stay?

Answer: Although your visa expires, you can still stay in China until the allowed “Duration of Each Stay” expires.

19. What should I do if I lose my passport during my stay in China?

Answer: You should report the loss as soon as possible to local public security authorities, and go to your own country’s embassy or consulate in China to apply for a new passport or other travel document. After that, you should go to the local public security authorities to apply for a new entry and exit visa.

20. Can I check other applicants’ visa application information at the Chinese Embassy or Chinese Visa Application Service Center?

Answer: No.

21. How should I interpret the Chinese visa I applied for?

1) The number of entries of the visa (Entries)

It refers to the number of times the visa holder can come to China within the validity period of the visa. Once the number of entries is exhausted, the visa will automatically become invalid. If you want to come to China again, you must apply for a new visa. If the number of entries has not been exhausted, but the validity period has expired, a new visa should be applied for. If you come to China with a visa that has been exhausted, your entry will be refused. Therefore, before departing for China, please check the number of visa entries again and confirm that the visa is valid.

2) Validity of the visa (Enter before)

It refers to the validity period of the visa itself. If the number of entries still remains, the visa holder can come to China with this visa at any time before the expiration date (entry is allowed before 24:00 on the day of expiration). Visas expired, regardless of the remaining number of entries, are automatically invalidated and cannot be extended. If you still want to come to China, you must apply for a new visa. All visas are effective from the date of issuance. If the visa cannot be used due to personal or third-party changes in the itinerary, the applicant shall bear the responsibility. If you come to China with an expired visa, your entry will be refused. Therefore, before departing for China, please check the validity period of the visa again and confirm that the visa is valid.

3) Duration of each stay after entry

It refers to the maximum time that the visa holder is allowed to stay in China each time, that is, the maximum number of days that the visa holder can stay in China calculated from the date of entry. If it is necessary to extend the stay, the holder must go to the local public security authorities to apply for an extension before the date of stay will expire. Those who stay in China beyond the visa period of stay will be punished with fines and other penalties in violation of the laws and regulations on the entry and exit of foreigners. Therefore, please check whether the period of stay has exceeded at any time during your stay in China.