China Visa Fees 2026: Costs by Visa Type and Application Process

Written by Catherine | Updated January 28,2026

While China has grown into a more and more popular travel destination, questions about China Visa also rise. Planning a trip to China basically requires two understandings, the visa application process and associated costs. And this article will focus in detail on visa fees, which can be affected by factors like nationality, visa type, number of entries, and processing speed. Regardless of your travel purpose, we’ve prepared practical tips and price guide to help you apply for a China visa efficiently while avoiding unnecessary expenses.

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• Do You Need a Visa to Travel to China?  – Available Visa-Free Policies
• The Mainland of China Visa Application Fees for Different Nationalities & Visa Types
• What Affects China Visa Cost?
• China Visa Application Service Fees (CVASC & Embassy Fees)
• Processing Time for China Visa
• China Visa Fees for Special Visa Type
• Hong Kong & Macao Visa Application Fees
• The Mainland of China vs Hong Kong vs Macao Visa Fees
• China Visa Payment Methods
• The Process of Getting a China Visa
• Tips for Applying China Visa
• Apply for Your Visa and Travel Around China with China Xian Tour

Do You Need a Visa to Travel to China?  – Available Visa-Free Policies

For international travelers, the current visa-free options are the best choices for short-term visits. First check the below visa-free policies to China, if you do not qualify for any of the policies, then a China visa is required.

Visa-Free Options in the Mainland of China:

• 10-Day Visa-Free Transit

Travelers from 55 countries are allowed to use this transit to enter China through 60 designated ports and travel across provinces. Applying for the transit also requires visitors to provide proof (such as a flight ticket) of an onward journey to a third country or region. After getting it, travelers can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) in China without a visa.

• 30-Day Visa-Free Entry

China grants 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 48 countries under its unilateral visa-free policy and to citizens of 29 additional countries under mutual visa exemption agreements, allowing ordinary passport holders to travel throughout the mainland of China for tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit.

• 15-Day Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups

Under China’s 15-day visa-free policy for cruise tour groups, foreign travelers (in groups of two or more) may enter China without a visa via 13 designated cruise ports, travel within coastal provinces, municipalities, and Beijing for up to 15 days, and must enter and exit on the same cruise ship arranged by a Chinese travel agency.

• 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Available to all nationalities. A confirmed connecting flight to a third country is needed. Suitable for airport layovers or quick city visits.

• Other regional Visa-free Policies in China

Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry:Citizens of 59 eligible countries can visit Hainan Province without a visa for up to 30 days. Travel purposes can range from tourism, family visits, business, or transit. Study and work are not allowed.

Hainan 144-hour (Hong Kong & Macau Tour Groups): Tour groups (2+ persons) from Hong Kong or Macau may enter Hainan visa-free for up to 144 hours and must enter and exit together.

Guilin 144-hour (ASEAN Tour Groups): Citizens of the 10 ASEAN countries may join a Guilin tour group (2+ persons) to stay visa-free in Guilin City for up to 144 hours.

Pearl River Delta 144-hour (Hong Kong & Macau Tour Groups):Tour groups from Hong Kong or Macau may travel visa-free for up to 144 hours within nine Pearl River Delta cities.

The Mainland of China Visa Application Fees for Different Nationalities & Visa Types

Applicants may get a Visa to the Mainland of China directly at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate or through the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). And in some cases, travelers can get a Visa on Arrival at designated ports.

However, if you’re submitting through a Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC), an extra service fee is required (figure varies by location).

The table below shows the cost of submitting a visa through CVASC for visitors from some countries.

This chart is for reference only, please also check the official website for latest information before your journey.

What Affects China Visa Cost?

China visa costs are influenced by several key factors. Visa type is the first consideration, each category has different base fees. Tourist (L) and Business (M) visas are usually charged at the same rate. Work (Z), study (X), family reunion (Q/S), and journalist visas may follow separate pricing standards depending on nationality.

Nationality plays a major role. Since China has set bilateral visa agreements with a lot of countries, applicants of different nationalities may pay very different fees for the same visa type. Number of entries also affects the cost. While some nationalities are charged the same for all types of entries, other places, such as UK, Singapore, are charged differently.

Processing speed also affects a lot. Express or urgent services will cost extra. However, not all visa centers offer expedited options.

China Visa Application Service Fees (CVASC & Embassy Fees)

If you apply directly at a Chinese embassy or consulate, you generally only pay the visa fee, and it’s basically determined by nationality. If using a China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC), you will be charged per application, which differs by country and speed, and are non-refundable. In this way, the total payable is: embassy visa fee + CVASC service fee + any express or urgent fee.

Processing Time for China Visa

Processing times vary by the service level you choose. Regular service usually takes about 4 working days once all documents are submitted and complete. Express service generally shortens this to around 3 working days, and urgent service can reduce it to about 2 working days where available at the visa center. However, not every center or nationality offers all speed tiers, and consular review can extend the processing time. Applicants should pick up their passports on the date shown in their application receipt or centre tracking system.

China Visa Fees for Special Visa Type

For some travelers to the mainland of China, you may need special visa options that differ from a standard tourist (L) or business (M) visa.

• A Group Visais arranged through a registered travel agency for organized tour groups. Expect simplified processing and consolidated fees handled by the agency.
• A 10 Year China Visa is a long-term multiple-entry visa available to only certain nationalities (e.g., U.S., UK, Canada) under bilateral arrangements. This one typically sees a higher base fee and longer negotiated validity.

Apply through the Embassy, you’ll be charged: Us citizen: $140; Canada citizens: CAD75; UK: £255

• China Visa on Arrival (VOA), also known as a port visa,is available at designated entry points for eligible travelers who did not obtain a visa beforehand. These ports include major international airports and seaports such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Hainan among others. VOA allows short stays and is issued upon arrival at these ports. The fee must be paid in Chinese yuan (RMB) on site at the port.

Payment is usually accepted in cash RMB, and some ports may accept mobile pay (e.g., Alipay or WeChat Pay), but credit/debit cards are generally not accepted.

For travelers from countries that do not have bilateral arrangements with the Mainland of China, the VOA costs CNY168 for each. For those coming from countries like the UK or US, the price varies, for example, CNY 304 for UK citizens and CNY 956 for US citizens.

Hong Kong & Macao Visa Application Fees

Hong Kong and Macao each have their own visa regimes, which are separate from the Mainland of China visa policy. Nationals of many countries can visit these Special Administrative Regions (SARs) without a visa for short stays. For example, about 170 countries and territories enjoy visa-free entry to Hong Kong, with stays ranging up to 180 days for some passports (e.g., UK/EU), 90 days for U.S., Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and others.

And citizens from 87 countries, including U.S. (30 days), UK (180 Days), Norway, Spain and Japan (90 days) can enjoy visa-free entry to Macao.

Who Can Enter Without a Visa

Who Needs a Visa & Visa Fees

If you are not exempt, or you plan to stay longer than the visa-free period or for purposes other than tourism/short visit, you must apply for a visa or entry permit. Fees are set by each SAR’s immigration department:

• Hong Kong visas generally require an application via the Immigration Department, and fees depend on visa type and duration.Application charges may apply separately and are nonrefundable.

After June 25, 2025, the fee for normal travel visa to Hong Kong has been adjusted to about $42.

• Macao visas and entry permits have set application fees with payment options including cash, debit/credit card, UnionPay, Macao Pass, or GovPay depending on submission method. Normally the visa fee would cost about  $32.

Processing Time

Typical processing for Hong Kong or Macao visas (non-visa-free) usually takes 10 working days, or even faster if you submit application through a Chinese Embassy or Consulate. And expedited processing may be available at additional cost on a case-by-case basis. Postal applications can take at least 3 weeks.

The Mainland of China vs Hong Kong vs Macao Visa Fees

China Visa Payment Methods

There are several common ways to pay for the visa. The accepted payment methods vary slightly by location, but the following common options should be working in most places:

• Cash — This can be accepted by the CVASC. Embassies and Consulate do not take this.
• Debit card & Credit card (Visa/Mastercard) — Accepted at allcenters, both Embassies and the CVASC.

The Process of Getting a China Visa

• Prepare Your Documents

First, confirm all the information, including what type of visa you’re applying for and make sure it aligns with your travel purpose and your expected stay. Prepare documents: passport (valid 6+ months with blank pages), recent photo, application form and any supporting documents required.

• Fill Out the Online Application Form

Travelers need to log on to the official website of China Online Visa Application (COVA) to complete and submit the visa application. Upload required documents and confirm submission.

• Wait for Online Review

After submission, the system will conduct a preliminary review. If additional information or corrections are needed, you’ll be notified through the online portal. Usually it would take 4-10 working days (4 days more often) after the submission for applicants to be informed to pick their Chinese visas.

• Collect Your Passport & Visa

After the visa is processed (typically a few working days), you can return to the visa center to pick it up. Or you can have it delivered to you, but an extra fee is needed, and you should inform the center just when you submit the documents.

For more detail, please see:

• How to Apply for a China Visa?
• China Visa Application Requirements: a Complete Guide for Foreigners

Tips for Applying China Visa

• Apply early:Start the application well before travel (ideally 4–6 weeks). Give yourself  sufficient time for online review, document collection, and understand any follow-up requests.
• Check visa–free and transit options: Confirm whether you’requalified for visa-free entry. If you do, then you may no longer need to get a visa.
• Passport requirement:Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months with blank pages. Incomplete validity is a common reason for refusal.
• Prepare complete documents: Carefully upload and print the required documents. Avoid delays or additional submission requests, which may cause extra time waiting.

Apply for Your Visa and Travel Around China with China Xian Tour

Applying for a China visa requires a lot of planning and preparation. And your visits may also get affected if you fail to take all the details covered. As a result, just like many other visitors have chosen, China Xian Tour is always a good friend to you, who can help you manage everything to craft a perfect China tour. We’re highly experienced and full of passion, willing to fulfill all your expectations about China. We can provide customized services so that you can enjoy the journey from the very beginning to the end.