Chinese Tourist Visa

Chinese Visa in Thailand

If you are currently in Thailand and want to plan a short trip to the People’s Republic of China as a non-Chinese citizen, you can apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa. Also known as a Chinese Visitor Visa or an L-Visa, it permits you to enter China for tourism purposes. With this visa, you are permitted to stay in the country for up to 30 days per arrival, which will vary based on the category you choose.

There are 4 Chinese Tourist Visa categories:

• Single-entry (valid for 1 month)
• Double-entry (valid for 1 month)
• Multiple entry (valid for 6 months)
• Multiple entry (valid for 12 months)

This page will explain everything you need to know about a Chinese Tourist Visa, from its benefits to its application process if you are applying for it from Thailand.

Chinese Tourist Visa Requirements

To be qualified for a Chinese Visitor Visa, you have to meet the following Chinese Tourist Visa requirements:

• If applying from Thailand, you must be a Thai citizen or a foreign national staying in the country as a tourist or holding legal residency status.
• You intend to visit China temporarily (no more than 30 days per entry).
• You do not intend to seek employment in China, regardless if it's paid or unpaid.
• You have enough funds to sustain yourself and pay for healthcare without needing government support during your visit.
• You must prove that you intend to return to Thailand at the end of your stay.
• Must be able to prove you have strong ties to Thailand.

If you only want to visit China for a short period, you should check with your home country’s embassy to see if you can travel without needing a visa. Thai citizens, for instance, can travel to China for 30 days visa-free, similar to Thailand’s visa exemption scheme.

Required Documents for a Chinese Tourist Visa From Thailand

To apply for a Chinese Visitor Visa from Thailand, you need to provide the following documentation as the primary applicant:

• Completed online visa application form
• Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity remaining and 2 blank visa pages)
• Passport-sized photograph* (in color, taken in the last 6 months against a white background)
• Proof of address in Thailand
• Proof of finances (i.e: bank statement)
• Flight ticket itinerary (both arrival and return flights)
• Proof of hotel reservation (or temporary accommodation in China)
• Special authorization letter from the Chinese embassy (only applicable for certain nationalities)
• Additional documents when required by Chinese Immigration

If you are being sponsored for the application, additional documents are needed by the relevant Chinese citizen or permanent resident:

• Letter of Invitation
• Letter of Sponsorship
• Proof that the person sponsoring you has stable employment in China
• Any other supplementary documents, when requested

*NOTE: The photograph size should be 48mm long and 33mm wide.

How to Apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa from Thailand

Once you have prepared all your documents, you can apply for a Visitor Visa to China while in Thailand. You will need to complete the application online and upload all the necessary documentation. Your application will then be received by the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, where a visa officer will be appointed to review your case and notify you if any further documentation is needed.

After granting you the approval, they will issue you a receipt and send your passport to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Bangkok, where you can head over to collect it in person. Your passport will have the visa affixed to one of the two blank pages. Alternatively, you can also choose a courier service to deliver your passport and visa to your address.

What Siam Legal Can Do for You

If you intend to fly from Thailand to China for tourism purposes, then contact our immigration specialists at Siam Legal for assistance with the Chinese Tourist Visa application. With over 20 years of experience delivering efficient legal and immigration solutions to locals and foreigners alike, we are qualified to streamline your application and make sure you get your visitor visa to China quickly and without hassle.

Our assistance with your application includes the following services:

• A complete review of your and your sponsor’s personal, financial, and employment history.
• Consultation sessions to confirm what type of visitor visa is best suited for you and to address any concerns you may be having about it.
• Handling of the translation and legalization of your required documents, as required by the Chinese Visa Center.
• Comprehensive checklist listing all the documents required by you and your sponsor (if applicable).
• Professional and precise review of your visa application to check for errors and missing items before it is submitted.
• Submission of your visa application to the Chinese Visa Application Center on your behalf.
• An arrangement of all correspondence with the Chinese Visa Application Center and relevant authorities to update you on your application status and if any amendments are needed.
• Expert advice on how to pass the interview, sharing tips on how to prepare yourself, what you need to bring with you on the day, and what questions you should be expecting.
• Unlimited assistance over the phone with our Chinese Visa specialists, so your questions can be answered regardless of location.

Contact Siam Legal today and our dedicated team will make the process of obtaining a Chinese Tourist Visa as straightforward as possible, enabling you to focus on preparing for your trip and ensuring you can travel to China with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Much Do You Charge for Your China Tourist Visa Services?

We charge 16,500 baht plus 7% value-added tax (VAT) for our comprehensive visa application services. This fee is solely for the service we provide you and does not include the visa fee or the payment of any other embassy fees imposed by the Chinese government.

Can I Work While on a Chinese L-Visa?

No. You cannot work if you have a Chinese Visitor Visa. To be able to seek employment legally in China, you will need to acquire a work visa (also known as a Z-Visa) and a work permit.

Can I Extend My Chinese Visitor Visa?

Yes, you can apply for an extension of stay, but you must do so at least 7 days before your current tourist visa expires. You can do this at the nearest Exit and Entry Administration Office of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in China. How many days you can extend it depends on what type of Chinese Visitor Visa you have. If you are on a 30-day single-entry visa, for example, you can extend your length of stay for another 30 days.

What Are the Processing Times for the Chinese Tourist Visa?

On average, it takes 1 to 2 weeks (or longer) for you to receive the Chinese L-Visa. In addition, it takes 7 days to extend a Chinese Visitor Visa. If there are missing documents or anything that could potentially delay your application, this can increase the amount of time it takes before you can receive your visa.

Can I Expedite my China Visa Application?

Yes, if you want to speed up the processing times for your application, you can apply for an expedited processing service. This will reduce the time it takes for your application to be processed down to 5 to 7 working days.