To make sure you have enough time to prepare, please apply for your visa at least 1 month before your intended arrival date. For most attendees, the Tourist ("L") visa is the easiest option; an invitation letter is NOT required for a Tourist visa.
1. Visa Exemption (No Pre-Arranged Visa Needed)
Citizens of 54 countries (including Japan, Brunei, Singapore) enjoy 15–30 days visa-free entry to mainland China (valid until Dec 31, 2026; Russia until Sep 14, 2026). The 30-day stay is calculated from the day after entry and cannot be extended.
2. Visa Application for Non-Exempt Countries
You must apply for a visa in advance at a
Chinese embassy/consulate or visa application center worldwide. China has implemented
full online visa processing (
https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/); you will still need to submit your passport and provide biometrics (fingerprints) in person .
3. Main Visa Types (2026 Updated)
L (Tourist) Visa
- Purpose: Tourism, sightseeing, private affairs.
- Validity: 1–10 years (multiple entries, most commonly 1–5 years).
- Duration per stay: 30–90 days (varies by nationality and application).
- Fee: $60–$150 (fluctuates by nationality, location, and processing speed).
- Documents: Valid passport (≥6 months validity, ≥2 blank pages), online application form, recent photo, round-trip flight booking, hotel reservation, travel itinerary.
F (Visit) Visa
- Purpose: Non-commercial exchanges, visits, short-term research (not for business trips—use M Visa for business).
- Requirement: Mandatory invitation letter from an authorized Chinese organization (no workaround in Hong Kong/Macau).
- Stay: Up to 180 days per entry; no residence permit required.
Z (Work) Visa
- Purpose: Full-time employment in China; multiple-entry, long-term validity.
- Requirements: Work permit notification, employment contract, medical examination report, and other official documents.
- Post-arrival: Must apply for a work-type residence permit within 30 days of entry.
X (Student) Visa
- X1 Visa: For study programs longer than 180 days; valid for 1–5 years; requires a residence permit within 30 days of entry.
- X2 Visa: For short-term study (≤180 days); single-entry only; cannot be extended or used for full-time work.
- Documents: Admission letter, JW201/JW202 form, proof of financial support.
4. Important Notes
- Visa rules change frequently. Always confirm with the nearest Chinese embassy/consulate for the latest, accurate information.
- Entry Declaration: Starting Nov 20, 2025, all foreigners must complete an online entry declaration via the National Immigration Administration 12367 APP/mini-program before arrival 中华人民共和国外交部驻澳门特别行政区特派员公署 .
- Processing time: Standard 4–5 working days; expedited services available for an extra fee (≈¥170–250)