Foreign citizens must obtain a visa before entering China unless exempted according to relevant agreements or regulations. For details, please refer to the China Consular Affairs website at http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lhqz/lhqzjjs/ or the National Immigration Administration website at https://en.nia.gov.cn/. Specific requirements should be consulted with the local Chinese consulate in your country.
If you require an invitation letter to acquire a visa to China, please CLICK HERE to fill out the necessary details. Please be advised that the form is accessible ONLY to paid congress delegates. by entering your APSA Voting Rep username and password. Once the form has been filled, you will receive an email with the visa invitation letter and supporting documents.
Foreign Citizens
Foreign citizens can apply for a visa on the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle or the local Chinese Embassy and Consulate in your country.
Hong Kong and Macau Residents
Residents of Hong Kong and Macau must enter Chinese mainland through any open port with a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents. The Ministry of Public Security has entrusted CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE (HONG KONG) LTD at https://ww1.ctshk.com/zh/ to handle applications for Hong Kong residents applying for the travel permit and entrusted CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE (MACAO) LTD. at http://www.cts.com.mo/ to handle applications for Macau residents applying for the travel permit. For detailed regulations, please refer to https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/bszy/
Taiwan Residents
Residents of Taiwan must enter Chinese mainland through any open port with a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents. In Hong Kong and Macau, the applications are handled by China Travel Service Ltd in Hong Kong and Macau; In Chinese mainland, the agency responsible for processing the permit is the county-level or higher public security authority for entry and exit management entrusted by the Exit and Entry Administration of the People's Republic of China. For detailed regulations, please refer to https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/bszy/wldl/sqwldl/201903/t20190312_999.html
Obtain visa at port of entry
If your visa is not obtained in advance, and if there is a port visa authority at the port of entry (most hub ports such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hainan have set up port visa authorities), you can arrive at the port of entry with a valid ordinary passport, an invitation letter and relevant supporting documents, and lodge your visa application with the port visa authority, and enter China after receiving a visa at port of entry (except for visitors from countries that have signed an agreement with China on mutual visa exemption of ordinary passports or unilateral visa exemption, visitors from countries that are visa free to directly enter Hainan, tour group that is visa free to the Pearl River Delta for 144 hours, tour group of 10 countries in ASEAN that is visa free to Guilin for 144 hours, 15-day visa-free tour group on Shanghai cruise, visitors holding valid foreigner’s permanent residence ID cards or APEC business travel cards, and visa-free certificate for transit, as well as visitors to some ports in China where visitors can directly transit without border control procedures).
Bilateral Agreement
Based on bilateral agreements or protocols signed or reached between China and relevant countries, citizens of certain countries meeting specific conditions are exempted from obtaining visas when visiting China. For specific information, please refer to the List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption between the People's Republic of China and Foreign Countries at http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lhqz/lhqzjjs/202312/t20231208_11197270.shtml
Foreigner's Residence Permit
Foreigners holding a valid Foreigner's Residence Permit issued by Chinese public security authorities may reside in China, and enter and exit multiple times without the need for an additional visa, as long as they meet the relevant requirements within the validity period of the residence permit.
APEC Business Travel Card
Holders of a valid APEC Business Travel Card can enter and exit China multiple times without the need for an additional visa, as long as they meet the relevant requirements within the validity period of the APEC Business Travel Card.
Visa-free Policy in Hainan
For the purposes of tourism, commercial activities and trade, visits and exchange, family reunions, receiving medical treatment, attending exhibitions, taking part in sporting events, and other needs (excluding long-term working and studying), with a valid ordinary passport and invitation letter, you can directly enter from designated ports in Hainan and stay for no more than 30 days, without applying for a visa in advance. Note that you cannot transfer through any other city (except Hong Kong and Macau) in China prior to arriving in Hainan, and you cannot leave Hainan for any other part of China (except Hong Kong and Macau) after entry. If you need to visit any other city (except Hong Kong and Macau) in China, you need to visit the local exit and entry administration department to apply for a permit.
The eligible countries are Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus.
For those holding diplomatic or official passports, the necessity of obtaining a visa prior to re-entry into China is determined by the reciprocal exemption agreements signed between the passport-issuing country and China. (Holders of diplomatic and official passports are not eligible for the visa-free policy in Hainan.)
This English translation is for reference only, if the English translation contradicts with the original Chinese text in relevant laws and regulations, please refer to and follow the original Chinese text in relevant laws and regulations.
