Usual Questions

1. What contents are on the Chinese visa?

The registration items on the visa include the type of visa, the holder’s name, gender, date of birth, entry times, entry validity, duration of stay, date, and place of issuance, number of passport, or other international traveling documents.

2. Is a physical exam report required for visa application?

Currently, no physical exam report is required for visa application.

3.Is it possible to check the progress of visa application?

Usually, Chinese Embassies and Consulates in foreign countries could issue visas in four to five working days, and the date of retrieving the visas would be identified on the visa retrieving form. But under some special circumstances, Chinese Embassies and Consulates in foreign countries retain the right to extend visa approval time. Upon approval, the embassies or consulates would notify the applicant via telephone or email, please wait patiently. Under special circumstances, please call the embassies or consulates.

4. Is it possible to have the visa extended?

When the visa expired, the applicant should apply for a new one. Chinese Embassies and Consulates do not provide visa extensions. When applying for a visa, the applicant should identify the duration of stay in China on the visa application form. After entry, if the person could not exit China as planned for some reason, he/she should apply for a visa extension with the entry & exit administration of the local public security department before the duration of stay ends. For specific requirements please enquire the local public security department.

5. Upon receiving the visa, if the times of entry and duration of stay are not enough, is it possible to alter?

When applying for a visa, the applicant should clearly indicate the intended times of entry, and the longest stay in China on the visa application form. Once approved, the visa cannot be altered. If the applicant changed the planned itinerary so that the times of entry or duration of stay no longer suffice. He or she could apply for a new visa but would be required to submit application materials and pay the fees again.

6. What does it mean by visa exemption for a residence permit?

I. Foreigners holding effective residence permits, within the validity of their residence permit, could enter and exit and live in China, without applying for a visa.
II. Foreigners holding effective permanent residence permits of the People's Republic of China could enter and exit and live in China, without applying for a visa.

7. Is expedited service available?

If you need expedited service, please tell the visa officer when submitting the visa application. As long as you have proper reasons, the visa officers could usually provide the expedited service, but it would require extra expense, paid upon retrieving the visa (usually about 170 to 250 RMB).

8. How long does it take to get a visa (how long in advance to apply for a visa?)

Usually, Chinese embassies and consulates could issue visas within four to five working days. But under some special circumstances, Chinese embassies and consulates retain the right to extend visa approval. For the applicants, applying one month ahead of the planned entry date is suggested.

9. Is it possible to entrust someone to handle the visa application?

Usually, it is possible. But in some cases, Chinese embassies and consulates could ask the applicant for an interview at the embassies or consulates.

10. Is it necessary to make appointments for visa applications?

Currently, only some embassies of China offer online appointment services for visa applications. We suggest you directly consult the embassy or consulate you will apply for a visa with.