All you need to know about China Visa 

For tourism, generally you’ll need a L Visa (Tourist Visa).

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If you plan to do visit less than 6 days on your way to a third country. You can also take advantage of the new 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit program. 

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• Eligibility: U.S. citizens transiting through China to a third country or region can stay in certain cities for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa.

• Conditions:

  • You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region.

  • Your stay is limited to the specific city or region where you entered China.

  • You must leave China within 144 hours.

• Participating Cities/Regions:

  • Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, and others.

  • Some regions allow travel within the province (e.g., Shanghai and Jiangsu/Zhejiang).

• Documents Required:

  • Valid passport.

  • Onward flight ticket to a third country/region.

  • Completed arrival/departure card.

As our client, we will help you prepare the required documents for the L visa. Below are what we will need for the application: 

• Passport: Your original passport with at least six months of validity remaining and at least two blank visa pages.

• Visa Application Form: Complete the China Online Visa Application Form (COVA) available on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) website. Print and sign the form after completing it.

• Photo: One recent passport-sized photo (2x2 inches, white background, no glasses).

• Proof of Travel Arrangements:

  • Round-trip flight itinerary or booking confirmation.

  • Hotel reservations

• Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements or other evidence showing you can cover your expenses during your stay.

• Travel Itinerary: A brief outline of your planned activities in China

We will submit the applications in person for our clients in San Francisco if needed. Once approved, you can pick up your visa in person or opt for mail-back service if available.

Standard processing usually takes 4 business days, but expedited services are available for an additional fee. We recommend at least plan for a week for the visa process.