Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on August 7, 2025:
1. China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for following eligible countries, including European nations - Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Russia. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain are included. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay in South America are also eligible. China will continue to extend its visa-free policy for Italy.
2. 240-Hour Visa Free Transit (10 days) has been lanched. 55 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 240-hour transit visa-free.
3. As of now, China has established full visa exemption agreements with 28 countries, including Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei, Malaysia; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.
4. Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province is 6 days visa-free for tour groups (at least two persons) from ASEAN countries.
5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
6. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.
WeTrip will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information.
Want to get a Chinese Visa quickly and not willing to wait? Well, there is always a way out. So far, there are two major options you can choose to obtain a fast China Visa. One is taking advantage of the urgent visa services (including Express Service & Rush Service) offered by the Chinese Embassies and Consulates before departure. Another one is applying for Chinese Visa upon Arrival in certain cities or through emergency reasons.
The average ordinary application takes about 4 working days, express visa takes usually 2~3 working days and rush service need about 1~2 working days only. So it's more convenient and faster to use the two expedited visa services than a regular application. Visitors can even apply and get a Chinese Visa in the same day, if use the Same Day Rush Service and apply China Visa on Arrival at special entry ports.
Please note that, the exact Chinese Visa processing time is different in countries and regions around the world. Additional visa expedited fees will be charged accordingly. For special cases, the Chinese Embassies and Consulate reserve the right to investigate for a longer time as stated.
When you want to travel to China urgently, you may apply for the China Visa express service or rush service and pay additional fees. If need, firstly you shall figure out where to submit a China Visa Application, a Chinese Embassy and consulate, or a China Visa Application Service Center. Then, check whether the visa expediting services are available or not, because express service is offered in nearly all embassies and visa centers, while the rush service is not wildly provided in embassies. The details below are given to help you get your China visa fast and quickly.
If all required documents are prepared appropriately, a regular Chinese Visa application normally takes 4 business days to be processed. If you wan to obtain the visa one or two days earlier, you may choose the express service to save time. The processing time depends on cases, that is, applicants can pick up the visa on the 2nd ~ 4th working day.
The Chinese Embassies and Consulates abroad will charge extra stepped-up visa fees at local currency rate. The total cost of a visa to China differs from your nationality, the visa type, where you apply and which service you choose. You only need to pay for the visa fees if submit application directly to the Chinese Embassies and Consulates. If you apply at a visa service center, you have to pay visa fees and service fees both, and courier fee if you request.
Take the visa fee of 6-month Multiple Entry China Visa as example:
| Nationality & Residing Country | Where to Submit | Total Cost of Regular Application | Total Cost of Express Application | Postal Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | Chinese Embassy & Consulate | USD 140 (Visa Fee Only) | USD 165 (Visa Fee Only) | N/A |
| UK | China Visa Application Service Center | £151 (Visa Fee: £85 + Service Fee: £66) | £182 (Visa Fee: £104+Service Fee: £78) | £90 |
| Canada | CAD162.15 (Visa Fee: CAD 100 + Service Fee: CAD 62.15) | CAD 228.79 (Visa Fee: CAD 135 + Service Fee: CAD 93.79) | CAD 93.79 | |
| Australia | AUD 169.5 (Visa Fee: AUD 120 + Service Fee: AUD 49.5) | AUD 227 (Visa Fee: AUD 150 + Service Fee: AUD 77) | AUD 71.5 |
Notes: 1.) Visa Fees are tax-exempted and charged by the embassy. 2.) Application service fees are collected by the visa center, and Value Added Tax (VAT) will be levied. 3.) The above fees listed are VAT included. You can check the updated schedules of fees on official websites.
Visitors who hope to get Chinese Visa as soon as possible may apply for rush service when submitting the application. A typically rush application takes about 1 to 2 working days, so generally applicants can pick up on the 2nd or 3rd working day, few can obtain on the same day once the application is submitted before fixed time. Since rush service is not valid in all countries and only open to specific situations, you'd better check if you can use this kind of service.
Just like application using express service, rush application also charges more than a regular China Visa application. The rush visa application fee is collected by Chinese Embassies and Consulates, visa center will collect rush service charges, and the accurate amount vary from countries.
Take 6-month Multiple Entry Chinese Visa as an example:
| Nationality | Where to Submit | Regular Visa Application Fee | Rush Service Fee | Total Cost of Rush Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Chinese Embassy & Consulate | USD 140 | USD 37 | USD 177 |
| British Citizens | China Visa Application Service Center | £85 (service fee exclusive) | Only for special cases, like humanitarian reasons, etc. | refer to the official website |
| Canadian Citizens | CAD 150 | CAD 90.30 | CAD 240.30 | |
| Australian Citizens | AUD 170 | AUD 99 | AUD 269 |
Tips: If you use the mail-back service at the visa application service, you have to pay extra courier fees for the delivery service.
For specific situations, visitors can apply for China Port Visa at the port of entry upon arrival. That is, you can get a Chinese Visa in the same day once you meet relevant requirements. Only a few application procedures at the immigration office, you will obtain the arrival visa fast and quickly. There are two major types of China Port Visa based on different inbound cities and reasons.
If you will travel and only stay in Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen Special Economic Zones, you can apply for the Special Economic Zone Tourism Visa of PRC China at certain ports of entry. The validity period is 5 days for Shenzhen, 3 days for Xiamen and Zhuhai. If you want to travel to other cities, you have to apply and obtain a new Chinese Visa from the local Exit & Entry Administration Office of Public Security Bureau.
Foreigners in the 3 particular cases may submit visa application at arrival ports: 1.) invited by the exit & entry units with credit rating level A or B; 2.) high-level talents and investors approved by the official authority; 3.) emergency entry invited by registered sponsor, including humanitarian reasons, urgent entry for business, engineering issues, family matters and so on.
Notes: Individual can apply in the Immigration Office in person. Travel agency should apply on behalf of the the group tourists. The host organization/person can arrange China Port Visa for the applicants before his/her arrival.
The fastest way to get a Chinese Visa abroad is choosing the Same-day Rush Service, which will be processed within 1 business day. However, the Same (One) Day China Visa service is only valid for direct submission to Chinese Embassy and extreme emergency in very few countries, such as US.
If the Same-day Rush Service is available in your area of US, applicants must submit application before 12:00 pm, pay the visa fees and service charges, and may pick up the visas in the afternoon on the same day.
For applicants in UK, you can use the Express Application Service at the China Visa Application Center, which normally allows you collect the visa on the third working day. You have to pay extra express application fee to Chinese Embassy in UK and concurrent express service charge to the visa center.
Currently, rush service is only opened to certain situations. Check with the visa center and embassy if you are in need.
Please bear in mind, the best time to submit application is about 1 month before your departure, if you apply too early, you will waste validity period, and too late can not guarantee you obtain a visa appropriate. And there will be a peak time before and after public holidays.
Also, remember to pick up your visa on time. Otherwise, the obtained visa will become unclaimed if it has not been collected within 90 days after issuing date.
Since shipping time is not included in the visa processing time, postal applicants in Australia can NOT use Express or Rush Service, for the processing takes at least 10 working days and mailing back needs more days.
The above mentioned visa service and processing time is for normal cases and listed for reference only. Under special circumstances, you may wait for longer time because the embassy might request an interview or supplementary documents.
WeTrip is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. If it's your first time travel to China, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Guilin are the top recommended destinations with best representative tourism attractions of. The great cultural, historical, natural landscape will fulfill your dream tour to China. For those who want an in-depth discovery in China, featured China Panda Tour, Ancient Silk Road Tour, High Speed Train Tour, Colorful Ethnic Tour are good ways to find more interesting places and authentic locals.
About WeTrip
Your Trusted Way to China
U.S.-registered and backed by Nasdaq-listed WeBuy Global Ltd., supported by professional teams across Singapore, China, and Malaysia.
Contact Us
Email: sales@wetrip.global
Whatsapp: +(1) 6067661366
Phone: +(1) 6067661366
Follow Us
