Get a China Visa

Tourist Travel Requirements for a China Visa for Australian Citizens

1. Visa May Not Be Required

   The Government of China has implemented a temporary visa-free regime until December 31st, 2025. During this period no visa is required for a maximum stay of up to 30 days.
   
   Please keep in mind that even if staying less than 30 days, you must:

   • Hold a passport valid at least six months on entry with one blank visa page
   • Hold proof of sufficient funds
   • Hold proof of onward/return airline tickets
   • Hold all documents required for the next destination
   • Confirm with their airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa as these conditions are subject to change

   
   For stays of longer than 30 days, a visa is required.

2. Fingerprint Submission

   Your China visa application will not be considered complete until you have submitted fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre. After we have received all the materials required in support of your visa application we will call you to schedule an appointment to submit fingerprints at a China Visa Application Service Centre located in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. Our service includes a standard appointment which is available on a first come, first serve basis.

3. Visa Validity

   Visa is valid from the date of issue. Entry must be made within the validity date specified on the visa, and the date of exit can be after the expiry date of the visa.

   The validity of the issued visa is at the discretion of the Embassy/Consulate and may vary to that advertised.

4. Duration of Stay

   The maximum duration of stay is:

   • Single Entry – 30 Days (a longer duration of stay may be granted at the discretion of the Embassy/Consulate if the applicant's documentation supports this)
   • Double and Multiple Entry – 30 days per entry

   Note: All foreign passport holders except for citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, New Zealand and the USA who are not Permanent Residents of Australia are only eligible to apply for a double-entry visa.

5. Passport

   The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:
   • Be valid for 3 months beyond the visa validity
   • Have two blank facing visa pages

6. Visa Application and Photograph

   Complete the enclosed China Application Form. Then send it and the rest of your documents to the VisasDirect office address listed on the submission checklist page of this application pack. VisasDirect will work with the Chinese government to submit your application. After the application has been accepted we will send it to you via encrypted email for your signature.

   
   Upload your photograph at https://visasdirect.com.au/photo-service. For guidance on how to submit an acceptable photograph refer to the China Photo Guide contained in this Application Pack.

7. Proof of Travel Arrangements

   Details of travel arrangements. These must be provided as:

   • A copy of the e-Ticket showing onward/return travel - If you are requesting a double or multiple entry visa, the e-Ticket must specify all entries and exits
   • A copy of the hotel confirmation (if on a tour you must provide hotel confirmations for all hotels on the tour) or proof of other accommodation

   
   If staying with family or friends:

   • A copy of the e-Ticket showing onward/return travel - If you are requesting a double or multiple entry visa, the e-Ticket and invitation must specify all entries and exits
   • A photocopy of the inviting party’s passport and residence permit/visa or copy of front and back of their Chinese ID card if a Chinese national.
   • An invitation letter from the host which must be hand written (not typed) and contain:
     
     a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
     b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party (mum, dad, grandparent, brother, sister) and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China)
     c) Information of the inviting parties (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual).
   • If visiting a family member the applicant must supply a photocopy of their certification of kinship i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship (notarisation must be by a notary public or be stamped by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties. ("Family member" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law)

8. Copy of Passport Identification Page

   A clear photocopy of the information page (biodata page) from the applicant's passport.

   VisasDirect can supply this requirement at a fee of $5.50 + GST per page if not received with the application. This will minimise the risk of delay for successful visa issuance.

9. VisasDirect Order Confirmation

   Please provide the VisasDirect Order Summary which will be emailed to you at the time of placing the order.

10. Repeat Visitors

    Applicants who have been granted Chinese visa(s) previously, must provide copies of the most recent Chinese visa with entry record. If the previous visa is still valid and located in your old passport, this passport must be supplied to enable the Chinese consulate to cancel the visa.

11. Multiple Entry Applicants

    Double/Multiple entry tourist visas are available under certain conditions only. These conditions are:

    • Entering China on a cruise which stops in more than one Chinese mainland port
    • Visiting family

    If applying for a double/multiple entry visa, the confirmed cruise/flight itinerary must include all dates and places of entry and exit. Approval of a double/multiple entry visa is at the discretion of the Consulate and is not guaranteed.

12. Applicants Born In Certain Countries

    Any applicant born in China, (including Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan) must write their name in Chinese characters at Question 1.2 on the Chinese visa form and:

    • If applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, the applicant must submit their former Chinese passport (the Consulate General will cancel its validity), Hong Kong or Macau passport or Taiwanese travel document and a photocopy of its datapage. If the previous passport is not available, please contact VisasDirect for assistance.
    • If applying for a Chinese visa for the first time and the applicant's Chinese passport expired before their current nationality passport was issued, the applicant must provide a copy of their Certificate of Citizenship for their current nationality
    • If you have obtained Chinese visas before and apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change).

    Any applicant who was born in Turkey, who was a former citizen of Turkey or who is a dual citizen of Turkey and another country must also provide their previous/current Turkish passport along with their current passport.

13. Cruise Ship Passengers

    An entry visa is required for each port of call that the ship will visit in mainland China i.e. one port = single entry visa, two ports = double entry visa, three or more ports = multiple entry visa.

    Applicants must provide a detailed cruise itinerary which contains the applicant's name and shows the route of the journey including all ports of call.

    Please note: Some cruise ships that overnight in a Chinese mainland port require passengers to have an entry visa for each time they leave the ship even if stopping in only one port. Please check with the cruise company in this instance.

    All applicants must make a statement at Q3.7 on the visa application form advising the number of entries required and the ports to be visited e.g. I (applicant's name) have confirmed with (cruise company/travel agency name) that I need a (number of entries e.g. single/double/multiple) entry visa to mainland China. I will be visiting (name of cities).

14. Traveller Registration (Highly Recommended)

    Stay informed and safe by having VisasDirect subscribe you to the Travel Advice Email Alerts of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Registration enables you to receive the most up-to-date travel advice regarding safety, security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. VisasDirect will register the email address provided in the order. To enroll in this optional service, add this option to your order within the order flow. (Note: the Australian Government does not levy a fee for this service).

15. Children of Chinese-born Parents

    Minors under the age of 18 born to a parent who is or was a Chinese national are subject to further requirements. If both parents were holding Chinese passports and were not permanent residents of Australia at the time of the child's birth, the child must apply for a Chinese Travel Permit in person at the Chinese Consulate. If either parent was an Australian citizen at the time of the child's birth this does not apply and the child can apply for a standard visa.

    Please supply a copy of the Child's birth certificate, the parent(s) Australian citizenship certificate if applicable or evidence of both parents' Australian Visa status at the time of birth. The Chinese Visa and Service Centre may request additional documents once the application is received.

16. Minor Applicants Under the Age of 18

    At least one parent or guardian must sign on behalf of a minor under 18 years of age at Part 4 of the Chinese visa application form and enter their details and sign Part 5.

17. NGO Employees

    NGO employees applying for visas to China are required to provide a letter from the company. The letter must:

    • Be on company letterhead
    • Include the company's ABN
    • State the employee's role at the company
    • State the years of employment
    • Indicate the purpose of travel to China

    The processing time for employees of non-profit organisations will be of at least four weeks. We recommend applicants affected by this longer processing time to apply as soon as possible to ensure travel dates can be met.