If getting a tourist visa appointment is tough or you find the in-person application process tricky, or If you urgently need to travel to China for business, visiting family, or other important reasons, and can't get a visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate in time we suggest applying for a port visa.
1. What is a China Port Visa?
China's port visas are similar to the "visas on arrival" of some other countries.
Foreigners applying for port visas can either submit their applications in advance directly to the port visa authorities. They can also apply on-site upon arrival at Chinese ports. To make the process smoother and avoid potential issues, it's recommended that applicants submit their applications in advance to the port visa authorities in their intended destinations. This way, they can get preliminary approval before arriving at the ports to apply for visas.
For tourist groups (2 people or more), Chinese travel agencies like us should handle the application process in advance with the port visa authorities.
Who Can Apply
- Two or more people traveling to China can apply for a group tourist port visa through a China travel agency (we can arrange a port visa when booking a trip with us)
- Foreigners who are invited at short notice to attend trade fairs by their Chinese hosts.
- Foreigners who are invited to China to submit tenders or sign economic and commercial contracts.
- Foreigners who come to China under contract for supervision of export shipment, import commodity inspection, or goods checked on the completion of a contract.
- Foreigners who are invited for emergency installation/repair of equipment or engineering projects. Foreigners who are invited to solve a problem of claims at the request of the Chinese host.
- Foreigners who are invited to China to provide technical consulting services
- Foreigners who have a last-minute change in visa status after their visas are granted, with the consent of the presiding Chinese authority.
- Foreigners who come to China to visit seriously sick patients or handle funeral issues.
- Foreigners who cannot leave China by air within 24 hours due to force majeure and who need to use other means of transportation.
- Invited foreigners, who have no time to apply for visas from Chinese overseas visa authorities, and hold letters from the designated authorities approving application for a visa at the port of entry.
Documents Required
For Individual
- Valid passport
- Completed Visa or Residence Permit Application
- Recently taken 45x35 mm, unobscured, full-faced photo
- Invitation letter and supporting documents concerning urgent entry into China, written by relevant competent inviting organization/individual.
For Group Tourists
For applying for group tourist port visas, you only need to give us your recently taken 45x35 mm, unobscured, full-faced photo, and your passport, we'll handle the rest of the application process for you and submit it to the port authorities. Once the visa is approved, we'll send it to you by express. Contact us to book a trip.
Recommended China Tours
- 11-Day Beijing- Xi'an-Guilin/Yangshuo- Shanghai Tour
- 2-Week Beijing- Xi'an-Zhangjiajie-Guili-Shanghai Tour
- 18-Day Classic China Tour with Yunnan
Which Ports are Authorized to Issue Port Visas?
As of now, port visa services have been provided at 99 ports in 72 cities. The major regions include:
- Beijing: Entry is restricted to the ports in Beijing, but there are no restrictions on exit.
- Shanghai: Entry is restricted to the ports in Shanghai, but there are no restrictions on exit.
- Guilin: There are no restrictions at the entry and exit ports.
- Yunnan: The port of entry and exit must be the ports in Yunnan
- Check out the full list