China Port Visas (Issued at Entry Ports)

Certain foreigners may apply for landing visas after arriving at certain China entry ports. Citizens of the U.S. and France are not allowed to apply for port visas.

1.How does a landing visa work?

A landing visa is available at ports in Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Hainan, however, it is not guaranteed that a landing visa will be issued to every tourist. It is advisable to get a visa before departure.

The number of days allowed in the city varies between entry ports; as do the costs and conditions. Zhuhai allows three days in the city but Shenzhen and Hainan are more flexible with a stay of up to three months combining other cities.

Tourists from America and France are not granted a landing visa. The visa fee will be only charged in CNY, cash on the spot. British tourists are expected to pay almost double for the visas.

2. Valid Ports

Foreigners, both individually and as groups, who hold visas issued by port visa administrations, are allowed to enter China from all the open ports of China.

China ports of entry offering port visas include Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Guilin, Haikou, Hangzhou, Heihe, Jinan, Kunming, Machuria, Nanjing, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suifenhe, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi’an, Weihai, Yantai, and Zhuhai.

Who Can Apply

• 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 under 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 handling 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

• 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.

How to Apply for Port Visas

• apply in person to the port visa administration after arrival at the port. Tour groups apply via the travel agency organizing the tour at the port visa administration.
• Institutions/individuals can apply for port visas for foreigners before they arrive at the port at the local port visa administration.

Validity

The Port Visa Administration shall issue port visas with an entry period of no more than 5 days for individuals and 15 days for groups, and a stay period of no more than 30 days.

Individuals holding port visas should enter China through a specific port, while tour groups may enter China through all open ports.

Under particular circumstances, foreigners should stay in the designated port area and leave from a designated port, as per requirements of the port visa administration.

Special Zone Travel Visas

The port visa administrations in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Xiamen can issue Special Zone Travel Visas of 3 to 5 days validity. Foreigners holding Special Zone Travel Visas are not allowed to go beyond the administrative area of the entry port.

The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Travel Visa

Shenzhen Entry-Exit Visa Administration under the Guangdong Public Security Department is in charge of issuing port (landing) visas. Port (landing) visas are issued at Luohu Port, Huanggang Port, Shekou Port, and Yongfu Port of Shenzhen, open at the following times.

• Luohu Port: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Huanggang Port: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Shekou Port: 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Fuyong Port: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How to Apply

• Complete a visa application card.
• Submit the visa application card and passport, and answer the requied questions.
• Pay the visa fee in Chinese yuan. A foreign exchange service is available at the ports.

Validity

The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Travel Visa is valid just for one entry, and a stay in Shenzhen of 5 days (calculating from the issuing date). Holders are not allowed to leave Shenzhen for anywhere else in China.