Updated: 09/03/2007   

"L" Visa is issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing or visiting family members and friends.

What to submit

1. Your actual passport, with at least six (6) months of remianing validity and at least one blank visa page (pages 22-24 are not visa pages).
2. A completed Visa Application Form (Q1) with one passport photo (color, about 2x2).
3. Your itinerary (flight and hotel) (one copy per applicant, detailed guide)
4. A copy of the order confirmation page of our agency, filled out online.
5. If you visit family or friend, please write down the contact information of your family/friend and the relationship with you on visa applicaton form. If you do not have a hotel reservation, please put a statement in box 5, like "I certify that I will stay at xxx (your relative)'s home during my whole visit in China".
6. If you were born in mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan, and your current foreign passport does not have an old Chinese visa, please submit your original Chinese passport (*), or your last foreign passport with a Chinese visa (**). Also supply your name in Chinese characters.
7. Children who were born in US and either parent is Chinese, please follow instructions in this document (in Chinese).

How to apply

• please follow the "step by step procedures" at the bottom of the main index page.

Visiting Hong Kong or Macau on your trip? You may need multiple entry visa (details).

To apply for a Multiple Entry "L" Visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, no additional documents are required for US citizen (from 09/10/2006), citizens of other countires must meet one of the following requirements: (multiple entry visa to non-US citizens suspended 2008/04/02)

1. submit documents that certify he/she will come to China frequently for family visits or sightseeing. Acceptable documents include an invitation letter from your family member in China or proof of the kinship; or ownership certificate of real estate in China, or sale agreement or lease agreement of an apartment in China; or a copy of adoption certificate or the child's former Chinese passport if he/she has adopted a child from China; or
2. foreign Chinese born in China who has visited China at least twice in the past 12 months, shall submit a copy of the visa(s); or
3. submit an official letter issued by the host institution in China, or an application letter which explains the need to visit China frequently for tourism; or
4. Renew a multiple entry "L" visa, and shall submit a copy of the visa if it's in a different passport rather than the one submitted for a new visa.

If you were born in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, you may apply for a 2-year family visit visa (suspended 2008/04/14).

Visa processing time and fees

[For details on fees please see table here] The regular processing time at the Consulate is 4 working days. For express service, additional fees are required for same day or 2-3 working days processing.

Visa validity and duration of stay

Usually the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry "L" visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. If you intend to apply for double entry visa, please remember that your second entry can be no later than 180 days from the date your visa was issued!

The duration of stay of a "L" visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. The visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days, upto 180 days (single entry) or 90 day (double or multiple entry).

* original Chinese passport and a copy of the photo/data page are required the first time you apply for a Chinese visa. Your Chinese passport will be returned to you after it is canceled.

** usually only copies of the photo page and the page with a Chinese visa is needed, and you don't have to submit the actual old foreign passport with a Chinese visa.