Chinese Visa Application Frequently Asked Questions

1.Does the Visa Centre belong to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General?

No, it doesn’t. The Visa Centre is a commercial service organization registered in accordance with local laws and regulations and recognized by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General to handle the daily routine work of processing ordinary visa applications. However, it operates independently of diplomatic missions and is neither a branch nor an affiliated organ. Please note that the Visa Centre does not participate in the assessment and approval of Chinese visas.

2.What shall I do if I find the visa issued on my passport is wrong?

If you find mistakes in your visa after you have left the Visa Centre, please contact it immediately and follow the instructions given to you.

3.Can I extend the duration of stay of my visa in China

You may apply for an extension of the “duration of stay” of your visa at a local public security authority before it expires, but without an assumption that the application will be automatically approved.

Overstay violates the laws of China and will be punished.

4.How long does it take to process a visa if I submit my application at the Visa Centre in person?

A visa typically takes three or four working days to process if all the accompanying documents meet the requirements.

5.How long should be the remaining validity of my passport before I apply for a China visa?

Generally speaking, there should be at least six months left before the passport expires.

6.Can I apply for a visa online?

It is not possible to apply for a visa through the Internet currently. You need to submit all the required application documents to the Visa Centre, and the Visa Centre staff will then handle your application.

7.Where do I apply for a visa?

If you hold an ordinary passport, you should submit your application at the Visa Centre in the country where you lawfully reside. Holders of diplomatic and service (official) passports or applicants eligible to apply for China's diplomatic, courtesy and service visas, and applicants applying for a visa to the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region of China should should also submit at the CVASC.