Traveling to China: How to Get a Chinese Tourist Visa?

Updated: 03 April 2025 72 views 5 min. read
Yokohama Chinatown, Yokohama, Japan
Yokohama Chinatown, Yokohama, Japan

If you want to travel to China, first get ready to get acquainted with the rich history and culture of the country. China is a place where you will gain unforgettable experiences from every trip.

Before traveling to China, it is very important to choose the type of visa that suits your purpose. China's visa policy is extensive and there are different types of visas for different purposes. Tourism, work, study and family visits are some of these purposes. If your purpose is tourism, short-term study, exchange programs, business meetings or simply visiting friends or family members, you should apply for a Chinese tourist visa.

The best time to travel to China is in the spring and autumn months. During these times, the weather in China is mild and cool. These months are ideal for tourists who want to escape the high summer temperatures and cold winters. The blooming of flowers in the spring and the colorful nature in the fall offer visitors magnificent views. This period is suitable for visiting all tourist attractions, from famous monuments such as the Great Wall of China to large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.

Among the most famous tourist attractions in China, the Great Wall of China is undoubtedly one of the places you must see, one of the seven wonders of the world and this historical work built against nature. The Great Wall of China was built for various purposes at different times and is one of the most visited places by tourists today. Beijing is the capital of the country and the center of historical monuments. This city is also notable for its urban development, which is a manifestation of modern life. Shanghai is the center of modern architecture, trade and technology. Both cities combine different cultures and historical elements.

China Tourist Visa

There are different types of visas available for traveling to China. These visas are selected depending on the purpose of your trip. If you are planning to travel to China for tourism, visiting family or friends, medical examination or treatment, short-term study, exchange programs, etc., you should apply for a Chinese tourist visa.

The application process for a tourist visa takes 10 working days. Therefore, it is important to prepare your travel plans in advance and apply for the visa on time.

Documents Required for China Visa Application

When applying for a Chinese Tourist Visa, you must submit the following documents:

  1. Original and a copy of the first page of your foreign passport
  2. Copy of your ID card
  3. Employment certificate* and, if applicable, a salary slip (for students, a certificate from an educational institution)
  4. Bank account certificate and a copy of the card in your name
  5. 2 biometric photos, 3.5x4.5 cm, with a white background
  6. Certificate of criminal record

The documents marked with an “*” must be submitted to the embassy in English. If you have obtained the original document not in English but in Azerbaijani, then each of these documents must be notarized and translated into English and submitted to the embassy.

If you do not have the original invitation letter, you can submit a scanned version to the embassy in printed form. The invitation letter must have the signature and seal of the institution that invited you. Also, the invitation letter must include the name and surname of the invited person, that is, your name, surname, and, if possible, your date of birth, passport number, and travel dates. If your accommodation is organized by the institution that invited you, in this case, you may not include a hotel reservation among your documents if the address you will stay at is indicated in the invitation letter sent to you.

The amount in your bank account varies depending on the travel dates you have indicated, that is, the duration of your stay in China, the price of the flight tickets and hotels you have booked, etc. In general, it is recommended that you have a minimum of 3000-5000 AZN (the equivalent in euros or US dollars) in your bank account for a week's trip. This amount should fully cover your travel plan. When calculating the amount, you can add the cost of your tickets and hotel reservations and an average daily cost of 100-175 AZN for each day you indicate that you will be staying in China, and you can expect a slightly higher figure than you received.

If your expenses are covered by the organization that invited you, this nuance must be noted in the invitation letter. In this case, you may not provide a certificate from your bank account, but in any case, it is advisable to show a small amount of money in your account in your name.

Visa procedure

Your personal presence is absolutely required during the application process for a Chinese tourist visa. Fingerprinting is generally mandatory for all applicants (exceptions may apply in special cases). Visa applications can be submitted no earlier than 6 months before the date of travel.

Persons who are exempt from fingerprinting can be divided into the following groups:

  • Children under 12 years old
  • Persons who are physically unable to provide fingerprints

The Chinese visa procedure usually takes 10 working days (excluding holidays and non-working days) from the date of application.

A visa fee must be paid when submitting documents. This fee can be paid both in cash and by card. The manat equivalent of the visa fee is adjusted according to the exchange rate of the day.

  • Visa Fee: The visa fee for a Chinese tourist visa is 300 USD. This amount is accepted by the Chinese embassy or visa center. Payment can be made both in cash and by card (in euros or manats). The manat equivalent of the visa fee is calculated based on the daily exchange rate determined by the embassy.
  • SMS Service Fee: The SMS service fee for informing about the completion of the visa process and the readiness of the passport is 3 AZN. This service is optional and is paid upon request.
  • Payment Methods: The visa fee and other payments can be made in cash or by card (in euros or manats). It is recommended to check the official websites of the visa center or the embassy for additional information on the payment methods accepted.

Possibility of obtaining a Chinese Tourist Visa

Your chances of getting a Chinese tourist visa depend on the profile you provide and the accuracy of the documents you submit. The following points should be considered when applying for a visa:

  • Financial status: It is important that you have a stable monthly income and that you have enough money in your bank account to cover your entire trip. This amount should usually cover daily expenses, hotel reservations, and airfare. Your bank statement should show that your balance has been stable for several months.
  • Country ties: The nuances that tie you to Azerbaijan (your place of work and position, property in your name, the presence of family members) increase your chances of getting a visa.
  • Completeness of documents: Your chances of getting a visa increase if you submit all the documents required for the visa application in the correct order. These documents include a copy of your passport, documents confirming your financial status, a visa application form, and an invitation letter if necessary.
  • Travel history: It is not mandatory to have a Schengen or other visa to apply for a visa to China. However, your previous travel history (traveling to other countries) can have a positive effect on the approval of the visa

Visa support to China

You can get support from a reliable visa agency like vizam.az to get a Chinese visa. Vizam.az services include making an appointment on your behalf, filling out your application form, preparing your documents professionally, booking your flight tickets to cover your trip, obtaining confirmation letters from hotels, purchasing travel insurance to cover your trip, consulting, and monitoring your visa procedure.

In general, the support service fee for a Chinese Tourist visa is 510 AZN per person.

Click here to place your order or contact 010/50/55-3000135 for more information.

Enjoy your travels!

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