China Travel Entry Requirements
Passport
Visitors must have a valid passport with at least 6 months' validity and two blank pages remaining.
Visas
All visitors to mainland China must acquire a visa in advance. Visa applications typically take 3 to 5 working days to process, although this can be shortened to as little as 1 day if you apply in person and pay extra fees. "L" (tourist) visas are valid for between 1 and 3 months. Usually 1 month is granted unless you request more, which you may or may not get according to events in China at the time. Double-entry tourist visas are also available. It varies, but typically your visit must begin within 90 days of the date of issue.
You should apply for a visa in person at your nearest consulate, although it's possible to obtain Chinese visas in other countries while you're on an extended trip. To apply for a visa, you must complete an application form, which can be downloaded from many consular websites or acquired by mail. Visas are valid for the whole country, although some small areas require an extra permit from the local police. Temporary restrictions, sometimes for years at a time, may be placed on areas where there is unrest, and a further permit may be required to enter them.
Some consulates request that you show them an airline ticket, itinerary, or proof of sufficient funds, or they claim to issue visas only to those traveling in groups. One passport photograph is required per adult, as well as for any child traveling on a parent's passport.
A complete list of all Chinese embassies and consulates, including addresses and contact information, can be found at the Chinese foreign ministry's website:
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/
Getting aVisa in Hong Kong
Nationals of most developed nations do not require a visa to enter Hong Kong, and visas for mainland China are more easily obtainable there than anywhere else.
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