In order to make foreign visitors’ trips in China more convenient, the country has carried out a lot of policies, including 72/144-hour visa-free transit and China port visa (widely accepted as “visa on arrival”), to simplify the application procedure for a Chinese visa.
In this article, we will introduce you to detailed information about China visa on arrival, which allows foreign visitors to apply for a Chinese visa after they enter the country.
What is Visa on Arrival for China?
Visa on arrival (VOA for short) is also known as a port visa or landing visa in China. It is the fastest way to get a Chinese visa, which is very suitable for foreign visitors who need to enter China to cope with emergencies.
China visa on arrival helps to save foreigners a few days’ time waiting for their application to be processed by visa service sectors. Instead, foreigners can apply for a Chinese visa when they arrive at designated ports in China. Generally, a China port visa is valid for single entry and visitors can stay in China for no more than 30 days.
Can I Get a Visa on Arrival in China?
Since getting a visa on arrival is really time-saving, a lot of foreigners would wonder what the requirements are to be eligible for a visa on arrival in China. Actually, foreign visitors fulfilling one of the following conditions are qualified to apply for a visa on arrival at designated ports in China:
- Group tourists setting out organized China tours arranged by travel agencies in China;
- Foreigners who have an urgent need to come to China for business cooperations, visits and exchanges, investments, and entrepreneurial activities, visiting relatives, private affairs, as well as other non-diplomatic and non-official activities, but do not have enough time to go through the application procedure for a normal Chinese visa before departure.
Where Can I Apply for a China Visa on Arrival?
There are in total 99 ports in 72 major cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, providing application service for a China visa on arrival.
Please note that port visa agencies at Special Economic Zones (S.E.Z for short), namely Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Xiamen, are authorized to issue S.E.Z tourist visas to foreign visitors, which permits tourists to stay only within the administrative area of the Special Economic Zone they arrive. Detailed information about the S.E.Z tourist visa is listed below:
| City | Ports for Application | Length of Stay | Designated Area to Stay |
| Shenzhen | Bao’an International AirportShekou Cruise CenterPorts at Luohu, Huanggang, and Fuyong | 5 Days | Shenzhen |
| Zhuhai | Ports at Gongbei, Hengqin, and JiuzhouRoad Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge | 3 Days | Zhuhai |
| Xiamen | Gaoqi International Airport, Wutong Ferry Terminal | 5 Days | Xiamen |
Recommended Most Popular China Tours:
- 13 Days Beijing – Xi’an – Hangzhou – Huangshan – Shanghai Tour
- 13 Days Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Guilin – Chengdu – Xi’an – Beijing Tour
How to Apply for a Visa on Arrival in China?
Required Documents for China Visa on Arrival
- Valid passport or other international travel documents
- Port visa application form
- A recently-taken photo (33*48mm), bareheaded and full-faced
- An invitation letter and other supporting materials to prove the urgent entry to China
Individuals should submit all the mentioned documents to the counter handling port visa application after they arrive. Once the materials are verified, pay the Chinese visa fee and pick up the visa at the counter.
*Note: There is no guarantee that every applicant can succeed in getting a China visa on arrival. Therefore, it is highly recommended you obtain a visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulates before departure. You can know more about the visa application at how to apply for a China visa and China visa application requirements.
Foreign visitors joining group tours to China don’t have to apply for a Chinese tourist visa on their own, but only provide their passport and photo to their travel agencies. The agencies will complete the whole application process for China group tourist visas on behalf of the tour members.
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