China Tourist Visa

To visit mainland China for tourism, you will need to apply for an L Visa (Tourist Visa), unless you qualify for China's visa-free transit policies or belong to a country with a unilateral visa exemption.

Required Documents

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date with at least 2 blank visa pages.

• Photo: One recent passport-style color photo with a white background.

• Proof of Residency: Driver's license, utility bill, or state ID showing your current address.

• Travel Itinerary OR Invitation Letter:

  • Round-trip flight bookings and hotel reservations, OR

  • An official Invitation Letter from a China-based individual or travel agency including your details, travel dates, and inviter contact information.

Application Steps

1. Complete Online Application: Fill out the form online via the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system and upload your photo and documents.

2. Monitor Status: Wait for the online status to change to "Passport to be submitted".

3. Submit Passport: Walk in or send an authorized representative to the Chinese Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Center holding jurisdiction over your region to hand in your physical passport.

4. Pay Fee & Collect: Processing typically takes 4–5 business days. Pick up your passport once the status reads "Passport to be collected".