While there are circumstances under which you can enter China without a visa, these are few and far between. For example, U.S. travelers on cruise ships docking in Shanghai can enter China without visas for up to 15 days, provided they arrive and depart on the same cruise. And while using such means might seem like a good idea, it does not allow you to do much in China. Moreover, the immigration authorities only allow you to enter through such ports if you are in transit to a third country. So, if you plan to take up any activity that requires a considerable stay, e.g., tourism or business, getting a China tourist visa is the right move.
China Tourist Visa for U.S. Citizens
A Chinese tourist visa, commonly called the China L visa, applies to people visiting China for tourism reasons. Please note that you may be exempt from applying for this visa if any of the following apply to you:
- You have an APEC business travel card whose validity is still in place,
- You are transiting through China and have no intention of extending your stay,
- You are part of a tourist group to Hainan Province and will not extend your stay beyond 15 days. Moreover, the group must have permission from the China National Tourism Administration,
- You have permanent residency status and have a card showing the same, or
- You are part of a tourist group from Macau or Hong Kong tourist group heading to the Pearl River Delta region for 6 or fewer days.
If none of the above conditions applies to your itinerary, you must apply for a China tourist visa. But if you want to conduct business or work while in China, please talk to our team about getting the right visa for your stay. Getting the right documentation is integral to smooth immigration processes.
China Tourist Visa Service
All U.S. citizens traveling to China as tourists must have a China L visa. Failure to have one can result in being sent away by airlines and immigration officials. Moreover, your visa should remain valid the entire time you are in China; else, you can get detained or fined. Thus, the best way to avoid legal issues is to get your travel paperwork completed before leaving the U.S. Travel Visa Pro offers a China tourist visa service which entails the following:
- Consultation to help you determine if the China L visa is the right choice for your travel purpose,
- Document review processes to help you fill in the required information to ease the visa application processes,
- Expedited processing to ensure your visa is ready within your chosen timeline. We offer a timeline that ranges from days to weeks, and you can pick what works best for you.
Additionally, we offer passport processing and translation services to help you get all your travel paperwork ready before departure. If you need clarification about the tourist visa to China, you can always reach our team for help.
China Tourist Visa Requirements
Anyone who wants to get a tourist visa to China in 2023 must comply with the China tourist visa requirements. So, what do you need to get past the visa process and visit this historically gifted nation?
1. A valid passport: You must have a valid passport which should meet the conditions below
- It should have at least six months of validity beyond your entry date. Please note that when applying for a 10-year visa, your passport should have at least a year of validity. Anyone less than a year will get a 6-month visa. Thus, you may need to renew your passport to qualify for a longer stay,
- It should be in good condition and should not have any alteration or damage other than the normal wear and tear, and
- It should have at least two blank pages.
If your passport does not meet these conditions, TVP can get you a new one in days.
2. A passport photograph: You should have had the photograph taken in the last six months and should ensure it complies with Chinese passport photo requirements
3. A hotel booking confirmation or a letter of invitation from a host or travel agent. If you are visiting a host, you should include an invitation which details their particulars, your travel purpose, where you will stay, who will fund your stay, and where the host stays.
4. A copy of your confirmed return or onward airline ticket. If using a cruise, include the cruise ticket.
5. An itinerary of your planned stay in China. It should include the places you will visit and where you will stay.
6. Proof that you are a U.S. resident, which you can prove using utility bills, driver’s licenses, or anything else that shows your address.
7. A filled-out China tourist visa application form signed in black or blue ink.
8. A signed travel record showing all the countries you have visited in the past 28 days, including your entry and departure dates.
9. Any previous Chinese visas. If you have visited China before, you should include a copy of the previous visa. If it is in an older passport, you must present the old passport alongside the other documents.
Once you have compiled these documents, you will have everything you need to get a Chinese tourist visa! Please note that visa approval may require more documents for some applicants. For example, people traveling with minors should present copies of the minors’ birth certificates and copies of the parents’/ guardians’ passports. Moreover, if they are not primary guardians or parents of the minors, they should include notarized consent in their application for a China tourist visa for U.S. citizens.
China Tourist Visa Application
Getting a China tourist visa for U.S. citizens is quite easy. You only need to do the following:
- Compile the required documents: Ensure you do not leave out any documents integral to processing the visa. Else, you will face delays and might even get a refusal,
- Receive a review from the TVP team: Before we send your documents for processing, we will ensure you have crossed every T and dotted each I,
- Get an appointment at the embassy or consulate: We will advise you on when to show up for your appointment and what to carry,
- Receive your visa: In just days, you should get a positive response about your Chinese tourist visa. We will ensure you get it at your preferred address, and you will be one step closer to China.
When it comes to how to get a tourist visa to China in just days, our team knows just what to do to get you on that plane or cruise!
China Tourist Visa Cost
How much is a tourist visa to China? When you apply for a visa, you incur two costs. The first is the standard government cost which applies to anyone applying for the China L visa. The other cost is the processing fee which ranges based on how soon you want to get your passport. At Travel Visa Pro, we process visa within a timeframe ranging from a few days to weeks. Thus, what you choose will affect the China tourist visa cost. You can always use our website to estimate what you will pay. Or you can contact our team for an accurate quote.
China Tourist Visa Processing Time
How long does it take to get a China tourist visa? The standard China tourist visa processing time often depends on the number of applications. Sometimes, it takes weeks; at others, it can even take months. Luckily, you don’t need to wait this long when using our expedited visa application process. We offer you the option to get your visa within days to weeks, and you choose what aligns with your travel needs.
FAQ
How to get China tourist visa?
Are you curious about the Chinese tourist visa requirements? You must provide a passport valid 6 months past the exit date with at least one blank visa page. You should also provide a passport photo, proof of travel and accommodation, a state-issued ID, and a complete China tourist visa application form.
How much is a tourist visa to China?
Please note that you must pay a processing fee to the embassy, a cost included in your TVP Chinese tourist visa package. The amount comes down to the visa’s validity, entries, and duration. We also charge TVP service fees, dependent on how fast you would like to get your hands on the visa.
How long does it take to get a tourist visa to China?
Standard visa applications can take a while to complete owing to the number of applications at the embassy at a time. But with TVP, you will not need to wait long. We offer various processing options ranging from a few days to weeks, and you can choose what works best for your travel needs.
Concierge Service
Concierge Service partners you with a dedicated Specialist who will manage your request from start to finish, complete applications forms, review all materials during the process, ensure priority submission and keep you updated the whole time – beginning within two business hours of your request. Concierge Team members have years of experience and can make the complex easy for you.
Additional fees apply. View details
Are all of the requirements too complicated? Would you prefer a dedicated professional to take on your Passport and/or Visa order and work with you personally to simplify and streamline the process as much possible? If you have ever whispered to yourself, "I wish someone would just take care of this for me!", then your whispers are ready to be answered by our Concierge Team.
Concierge Service customers are connected with our Concierge Team who will assist you in:
- Filling out the application on your behalf
- Collecting the required documents
- Reviewing all of your applications and documents with you over the phone
- Assuring you are getting exactly the correct Passport and/or Visas that you need for your trip, exactly as fast as you need them, taking all of the guesswork out of the process for you.
To start your Concierge order, simply click "Yes, add Concierge Service", fill out the very simple form, and our Concierge Team will reach out to you within 2 business hours to get your Passport and/or Visa order started.
It’s that simple. Get our Concierge Team activated on your travel case today! TVP's Concierge Service is an extra level of customer service provided for clients who want personalized service when applying for a passport, visa or both. TVP’s Concierge Service is the extra care you’re looking for. TVP’s Concierge Service Fees are $199 per person for the first application and $99 for each additional destination or service. TVP’s Concierge Service does not include the costs of U.S. State Department Fees, Foreign Government Consular Fees, FedEx overnight shipping or TVP’s passport and/or visa processing services fees.
If you are not in a hurry or do not have proof of imminent travel or just want to avoid paying extra fees for your US Passport expediting, our “Do-It-Yourself” US Passport service is for you! It costs just $199/per applicant and includes:
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Form-Fill Service: Your US Passport application will be error-free and conform to all official requirements;
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Document Pre-Check Service: We will review your US Passport paperwork and make sure every last “i” is dotted and box is checked;
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Appointment Set-up: We will set up US Passport appointment at your local USPS or other Acceptance Agent
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Professional Consultation: Up to 15-min professional video/phone one-on-one consultation;
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US Passport Expediting Checklist: We will email to you your own US Passport PDF checklist package.
To sign-up, please simply:
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Under “description of service”, please notate “Do-It-Yourself US Passport Package” and pay $199
In support of the freedom fighters in Ukraine, Travel Visa Pro feels morally obligated not to process any Russia visas and Belarus visas until peace is restored. We choose to vote with humanity! Thank you, Travel Visa Pro.
Place Order Online
The last step is placing an order. Once completed, delivery instructions, a receipt and a handy checklist of the requirements above will be provided. Thank you for trusting Travel Visa Pro with your international document needs.
