How many entries do Chinese Visas allow?

Typically, your China visa will grant you a single, double, or multiple entry facility:

1. Single Entry: You may enter China only once within the validity period.
2. Double Entry: You may enter China, leave once, and re-enter another single time. Following the second entry, you may not enter China again and you will need to apply for a fresh visa.
3. Multiple Entry: You may enter and exit China as many times as you like, although you may be bound by entry periods of 30-day increments (30, 60, 90, 180). This means that you must exit China every time you reach this number of days in your stay.
4. For instance, if you have a multiple entry visa with a 30-day stay limit, then you must exit China every 30 days.

If you have a single or double entry visa and you use up your final exit while the visa is still valid, then you will have to gain a new visa regardless, thus invalidating your old visa and requiring you to go through the application process again.

Documents required for China Tourist Visa (Category L) Application:

• Original Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into China with minimum two blank pages
• All Old Passports
• Dully completed and signed Visa Application Form
• Two recent colored photographs against white background taken in last 3 months, 35 mm X 45 mm in size, matt finish and 80% face coverage
• Cover letter explaining purpose of trip. (For Employed-Plain paper/Self-Employed-Letterhead)
• Bank Statement for last six months with minimum balance of Rs.1,50,000/-, updated and attested
• Income Tax Returns/Form 16 for last 3 years
• Confirmed return flight tickets
• Confirmed Hotel Reservation
• Leave Sanctioned Certificate or Salary Slips (If employed)
• Business Registration proof (If Self-Employed)
• School/College ID Card (If student)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from parent, ID proof of parents (If minor travelling without parents)
• Invitation letter, Passport or Resident Permit copy, address proof of Inviter (If visiting family & friends)
• Sponsorship letter, Sponsor ID proof, Updated bank statement (if sponsored)
  

Documents required for China Business Visa (Category M) Application

• Original Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into China with minimum two blank pages
• All Old Passports
• Dully completed and signed Visa Application Form
• Two recent colored photographs against white background taken in last 3 months, 35 mm X 45 mm in size, matt finish and 80% face coverage
• Business Covering letter from applicant on company letterhead
• Invitation letter from host Company stating purpose of trip, business details etc.
• Identity card of Invitee
• Company Registration Certificate from Indian and Chinese company

China Visa Application Process

Once you have all the documents, passport and the application form in place, the next step is to visit a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) for the submission of your documents. It is highly advisable to take help of an experienced Visa expert in order to save the risks of Visa application. Note: The Chinese Embassy/Consulates don’t usually accept the visa applications by post.

China Visa Processing Time

The normal processing time for a China Visa for Indians is 4 – 6 working days. The Chinese Visa Application Centre also provides express service for those requiring the China visa urgently. Under the express service, the applicant can receive their visa within 24 hours.

China Visa Validity

The validity and stay period for a China visa are issued as per the type of visa. The most common tourist visa is normally issued for a stay period of 30 days with a visa validity of 3 months.