| Most travellers will
need a visa. In most cases, this should be obtained from a Chinese
embassy or consulate before departure. Please note that traveling
to Hong Kong and Macau have different visa requirements. See
those guides for more information. As
of 2005, nationals of Singapore, Brunei and Japan do not need
a visa to visit China for a stay of up to 15 days, regardless
reason of visit.
Hong Kong and Macau residents need to obtain
a Home Travel Permit to visit China from the China Travel
Service, which is a wallet size ID card valid normally for
10 years multiple entry.
Visa overview
* L visa - tourism
* F visa - business trips, internships, short study
* Z visa - working
* X visa - study more than 6 months
Getting a tourist visa is easy for most passports
as you don't need an invitation, which you do for business
or working visas. It is expensive compared to other countries'
visa fees (currently $50 USD for U.S. passport holders and
$35 for those hold passports from other countries). The usual
tourist single-entry visa is valid for thirty days and must
be used within three months after it was issued. However,
in Hong Kong and Macau you can often get a 3 month visa.
Some travellers will need a dual entry or
multiple entry visa. For example, if you enter China on a
single entry visa, then go to Hong Kong or Macau, you cannot
re-enter China without a new visa. With a multiple entry visa,
you can.
Holders of most passports can easily get
Chinese visas in Hong Kong or Macau, either by going to the
government office themselves or paying a bit more to have
a travel agent do it for them. China Travel Services handles
visa processing. Currently they offer Same-day-service at
extra cost: in by 12PM, out by 5:30PM. Next day and 3 day
services are also available.
Obtaining a visa on arrival is sometimes
possible, but usually only for the Shenzhen or Zhuhai Special
Economic Zones. This is not recommended as it is not possible
at some entry points or for some passports, and the visas
are restricted: they do not allow travel outside the SEZ.
There may be restrictions on visas for political
reasons and these vary over time. For example as of mid-2004:
* Nigerians could not get visas in Hong Kong, presumably because
the Chinese Government was upset that Nigeria extended diplomatic
recognition to Taiwan.
* Americans could no longer get Shenzhen-only visas at the border,
presumably because the Chinese Government was irritated by US
fingerprinting of Chinese travellers.
* British nationals could no longer get Shenzhen-only visas
at the border. (In February 2007 British passport holders can
get a Shenzhen visa, although they pay around HK$450 for it.)
* As of mid-2006, South Africans are having trouble with visas.
No one seems to know why.
Some useful links:
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