Ordinary passport holders of Japan, Singapore and Brunei who come to China for sightseeing, doing business, visiting relatives or transit can enjoy a visa free period of 15 days. Nationals of these countries holding other types of passport or visit China for other purposes will still require a visa.

Visas for China are usually valid for three months. That means you have to arrive China within three months after obtaining the visa. Therefore you don't have to hurry in applying for a visa.

There are two types of China travel visa in general:

Individual visa: China visa type L is issued for sightseeing purposes. You could usually stay for a period of 30 days, no more than 90 days, and could not be extended upon expiration.

Group visa: Group visa is issued to foreigners traveling in tour groups. Group visa is not issued on the passports, but on a separate paper, which requires the group members enter and exit the Chinese border together. Your tour leader will be responsble forapplying for you.

Visa fee: Visa fee varies according to mutual agreement between China and corresponding countries. Please check with your nearest Chinese Embassy .

You can apply for a China visa through any travel agency. A regular single entry China travel visa costs US$50. Service fee varies according to the type of visa you require and urgency.

Passport & Visa Express charges a relatively low service fee of only US$39 for a standard China visa. You can simply apply online.

Documents Required

• A completed and signed application form
• Original passport with at least six months validity and a blank page for the visa
• Birth certificate and parents' passport copy (If the applicant is under 18 years old)
• One recent passport size photo

Download a China visa application form

Applying for a China Visa from Hong Kong

This information is only valid for foreigners residing in Hong Kong traveling to China.

Application has to be submitted by hand (your travel agent can submit on your behalf) to the following address. Electronic submission is not accepted.

Office of the Commissioner of
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
The People's Republic of China in the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
7th Floor, Lower Block
China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road
Wanchai
Hong Kong

A regular application can be completed in three working days. That means you can submit on Monday and collect on Wednesday. Next day or same day service is available at extra fee.

Visa fee varies according to mutual agreement between China and corresponding countries. For example US passport HK$490, UK passport HK$450 plus your agency fee (if applicable).

Base on mutual agreement between China and the following countries, nationals of these countries can acquire a visa for China free of charge and vise versa.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Maldives, Micronesia, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Slovenia,

Enquiry Hotline: (852) 3413 2300 (24 hours) or (852) 3413 2424

Visa Application Submission hours: 09:00 - 12:00 / 14:00 - 17:00 (Monday - Friday)

The above information is up-to-date as of January 2007. There might be subsequent changes.