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China Visa Application: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When is the best time to apply for my Chinese visa?
The best time to apply for your Chinese visa is 1-2 months before your travel date. The Chinese Consulate has recently extended the validity of a single entry visa from 3 months to 6 months, which allows you to send in your application much earlier than before. With a single entry visa, you could apply as early as 6 months before your arrival date in China! If you are applying for a double or multiple entry visa, we suggest that you submit your application no earlier than 2 months before travel date.
Q2: How long is a Chinese visa valid for?
Single and double entry Chinese visas are valid for 6 months, which means you must enter China within 6 months after the visa was issued. Multiple entry visas are valid for either 6 months or 12 months and they come with different fees. The validity of a Chinese visa starts from the date it was issued, not the date you enter China. For example, if your visa was processed and approved by the Chinese Consulate on January 10, you must enter China no later than July 10.
Q3: How long can I stay in China with a Chinese visa?
The time you could actually stay in China, or "duration of stay after entry" is usually 30 days. However, a maximum of 90-day duration of stay is available upon request. To get a 60- or 90-day duration of stay, you must write down such number on the Chinese Visa Application Form. If you did not specify the number of days on this form, you will be allowed 30 days. Please be reminded that the Chinese Consulate has the final say on the number of days you receive for your visa regardless of your request.
Q4: Do I have to send you my passport? Is it safe to send a passport?
Yes. You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The Chinese visa is pasted on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa request cannot be processed without your original passport. Because of the importance of your passport as a travel document, we strongly suggest that you send your application in a secure way, using a traceable courier such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, Express Mail or Certified Mail. Please note that certified mail could take 7-10 business days to deliver.
Q5: I need Chinese visa for two people. Can I send them in one package? How should I calculate the fees?
When you send in application for more than one person, you could send all applications in one package. If all passports are to be returned to the same address, you need to pay only one FedEx return shipping charge. Chinese Consulate fees and our service fees, however, are on a per person basis.
Q6: Can I use my own FedEx account number for return shipping?
You are welcome to use your own FedEx account number for return shipping. To do that, you could either include a prepaid FedEx airbill or write down your FedEx account number on our Order Form.
Q7: I will travel between Hong Kong and the mainland multiple times. Do I need a multiple entry visa?
Yes, you do need a multiple entry visa for that purpose. Each time you enter China from Hong Kong and Macao, you need one entry.
Q8: I'm not a US citizen. Can you still process my visa application?
We help citizens of all countries get a Chinese visa if they are legally residing in the United States. Non-US citizens must submit a copy of their green card or valid US visa in addition to their original passport.
Q9: Do I need a visa for Hong Kong and Macao?
US citizens as well as citizens of most countries in North America and Europe can visit Hong Kong and Macao without a visa. Citizens of other countries can check the Hong Kong government website to see if you need a visa. You can also call us for such information.
Q10: I'm going to China on January 1, and my visa expires on January 10. Can I still stay for 30 days?
Yes, you can. As long as you enter China on or before the expiration date, you can stay for 30 or more days as specified on your visa. The duration of stay starts from the day you enter China.
Q11: My name was misspelled on my visa. What can I do to correct it?
It is not necessary to correct misspelling on a Chinese visa. Even though it doesn't look perfect and it may make you feel uncomfortable, misspelling will not cause you a problem entering or leaving China. It is the Chinese Consulate's policy not to correct misspellings unless you apply for a new visa and pay the application fees all over again. According to the Chinese Consulate, a scanner is used to read the information on your passport and some letters are often misread. Since this does not cause a problem to the validity of the visa, spellings are generally not proofread at the time of issue.
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