View a China Visa
Want to see what a visa to China looks like? You can view a sample visa for China and see what information it contains.
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 15 days.
Please keep in mind that even if staying less than 15 days, you must:
For stays of longer than 15 days, a visa is required.
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.
The maximum duration of stay is:
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.
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.
All cities must also be listed in section 2.6 of the visa application form and must match the cities listed in the letter of invitation.
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.
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:
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.
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).
NGO employees applying for visas to China are required to provide a letter from the company. The letter must:
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.
All dual nationals must provide the following documents:
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 15 days.
Please keep in mind that even if staying less than 15 days, you must:
For stays of longer than 15 days, a visa is required.
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.
The maximum duration of stay is:
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.
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.
Details of travel arrangements. These must be provided as:
If staying with family or friends:
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.
Double/Multiple entry tourist visas are available under certain conditions only. These conditions are:
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.
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:
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.
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).
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).
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.
NGO employees applying for visas to China are required to provide a letter from the company. The letter must:
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.
Want to see what a visa to China looks like? You can view a sample visa for China and see what information it contains.
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