How Long Does It Take to Get a Chinese Visa: China Visa Processing Time

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on August 7, 2025:

1. China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for following eligible countries, including European nations - Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Russia. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain are included. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay in South America are also eligible. China will continue to extend its visa-free policy for Italy.

2. 240-Hour Visa Free Transit (10 days) has been lanched. 55 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 240-hour transit visa-free.

3. As of now, China has established full visa exemption agreements with 28 countries, including Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei, Malaysia; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.

4. Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province is 6 days visa-free for tour groups (at least two persons) from ASEAN countries.

5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.

6. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

WeTrip will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information.

All visitors holding ordinary passport must get a valid visa to enter and visit China, unless you meet relevant visa-free/visa exemption policy. At present, foreigners are required to submit China Visa Application before departure, and some can apply for Chinese Visa upon arrival once accord with certain China Port Visa regulations. How long to get a visa to China? Except special circumstance, applicants can get a Chinese Visa after 1 ~ 4 working days, even on the same day of your submission. Specific processing time depends on which service you choose. Here we introduce several different cases to help you understand more clearly about Chinese Visa processing time.

Regular China Visa Application Processing Time

Applicants should prepare valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months, a completed China Visa Application Form attached with a photo and other supporting documents first. And then you can either submit application direct to Chinese Embassies and Consulates in person, or through recognized China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). After that, you will wait for the application to be processed by the Chinese Embassy and Consulate. Generally, it takes 4 business days for a regular application, if all the documents meet requirements. Shipping and returning delivery time is not included. Typically, so you can pick up your passport and China Visa (if proved) on the 4th to 5th working day after submission.

Your China Visa Application may need longer time for processing in these situations: 1.) the Chinese Embassy and Consulate Officer request for supplementary materials or an interview and other occasions; 2.) application by mail (applies to Australians) takes about 10 working days; 3.) if you use the mail-back service at CVASC, more several days are needed.

Expedited Chinese Visa Processing Time: Express and Rush Services

Besides regular service, applicants may use express service or rush service to speed up the visa application processing time. If you are in a emergency, or want to get a Chinese Visa fast, you can choose such urgent services with additional fees (including visa fees by embassy & service charges by CVASC). Please note that rush application service is only valid in some countries and for extreme emergencies approved by the Chinese Consular Office.

● Express Service: 2~3 working days, can be picked up on the 3rd or 4th working day.

● Rush Service: 1 working day, can be picked up on the same day or next working day.

US passport holders can obtain the Same Day China Visa in the afternoon, if you submit application to visa section of Chinese Embassy or Consulate before 12:00pm and get approved successfully. Other nationals using rush service may pick up on the 2nd working day.

The fast services do NOT apply to China Visa Application by mail, and Hong Kong Visa and Macau Visa Application which will be referred to local immigration departments.

Read How Much is a Chinese Visa to know detailed China Visa Application Fees and Costs!

Processing Time of Hong Kong & Macau Visa, TTB, China Port Visa, Group Visa

The processing time for special Chinese visa types and regions differs from the visa application for mainland China mentioned above. Knowing the average time for Hong Kong Visa, Macau Visa, China Port Visa and Group Visa helps you better plan your trip. Moreover, once meet relevant requirements, visitor can apply for and obtain China Visa at port of entry and destinations upon arrival. Below are particular China visa times:

◆ Hong Kong SAR Visa

To get a visa/entry permit to visit Hong Kong, you should submit application to the Chinese Embassy and Consulate where you reside, or send all required documents to the Immigration Department of Hong Kong SAR before departure.

At Chines Embassy/Consulate General: regular application takes 4 working days, express application takes 2~3 working days and rush service needs 1 day.

In Immigration Department of Hong Kong SAR: it normally takes at least 1 month upon the receipt, because your application materials will be referred to the local visa office in HK.

◆ Macau SAR Visa

Except visa-waiver citizens, other visitors can apply for a Macau Visa by 3 ways, including application at the port of entry upon arrival, application at the local embassy or transferred to Immigration Department of Macau SAR in advance.

(1) At Chinese Embassy/Consulate General: normal regular service takes 4~10 working days, express service needs 3 working days.

(2) In Immigration Department of Macau SAR: at least 3 weeks, express and rush services are not available.

◆ Tibet Travel Permit

It takes at least 13 working days to process a TTB permit application by Tibet Tourism Bureau. You need about 15 ~ 20 days to receive the permit after proved and delivered. However, if you plan to visit further destinations, like Ngari, Pomi, Ranwu Lake, you must apply for other permits, so you will need over 30 days to get the permits.

◆ Chinese Tourist Group Visa

The Group Visa normally takes 4 ~ 5 working days to process. Express and Rush Service with extra charges are only valid in some countries (not applicable in UK). So better apply for as early as possible. If you plan to travel to Tibet from Nepal, you must apply for a Group Visa from Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal.

◆ China Port/Landing Visa

Without exceptions, visitors can obtain a China Port/Landing Visa upon arrival once comply with all related regulations and procedures.

Practical FAQs & Advice on China Visa Time

1. What is the right/best time to submit my visa application?

Since Chinese Visa has fixed validity ("Enter Before") after it is issued, it would waste the duration of stay or expire if you apply too early. Therefore, you are advised to make the submission prior to departure, about 1 month before your planned departure date to China.

2. When and how to collect my passport and visa return?

Once you are notified by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, or track online and see your application is processed, you can bring the pick-up slip, and collect the passport, visa, documents in person, or entrust other person or service agent to help.

3. How long does it take to get my Chinese Visa renewed or extended?

If you are in China and want to stay longer, or apply for a new type visa, you have to apply for a China Visa Extension/Renewal to a local Public Security Bureau (at county level or above), 7 days prior to the expiration date. They will consider whether to extend/renew your Chinese Visa within 7 working days, counting from the submission date.

How to Get a Visa for China - Chinese Visa Application Guide

❶ Find out what kind of visa you need

Read different types of Chinese Visa to figure out which kind of visa you should apply for. Judging your purpose of visiting is for travel, business, work, transit, family reunion and etc or not. China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is for visiting China for tourism, F Visa is for exchanges, study tour, Business Visa (M Visa) is for commercial and trade.

❷ Apply for a Chinese Visa

According to various visa policy, applicants can submit China Visa application at Chinese Embassy, Diplomatic and Consular Missions, China Visa Application Service Center or specific ports of entry. You need to prepare and submit your valid passport with at least 6 months' validity and blank pages, copy of passport's first page, completed visa application form pasted with a recent photo (color photo with white background, taken within past 6 months, size: 33mm x 48mm), sufficient visa fee and service charge and other supporting documents.

❸ Collect & check your China visa

The processing time differs from visa applications. Normally, it takes about 4 to 5 business days for applicant to get a China Visa, and the accurate collection date will be noted on the pick-up slip. If you submit China Tourist Visa (L Visa) on Monday, you can pick up on Thursday. Check carefully duration of stay, number of entries if issued correctly or not, after getting your passport back. Double check the validity when you plan to enter China, otherwise you will be denied entry.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit China in 2026?

It depends on your nationality. China offers visa-free entry to citizens of 38+ countries, 240-hour visa-free transit for 55 countries, and 30-day visa exemptions for many European and Asian nations. Check our full visa guide for details specific to your passport.

How long does it take to get a Chinese visa?

Standard processing takes 4-5 business days at most Chinese embassies. Express service (2-3 days) and rush service (1 day) are available at higher fees. We recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your trip.

What documents do I need for a China tourist visa?

You need a valid passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), completed application form, passport photo, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, and proof of financial means. U.S. nationals don't need to show hotel bookings or flight itineraries.

Can WeTrip help with my China visa application?

Yes! WeTrip provides invitation letters, itinerary documents, and step-by-step visa guidance as part of our tour packages. Our team has helped 210,000+ travelers navigate the visa process successfully.