Can I Get China Visa On Arrival?
With the increasing number of foreign national traveling to mainland China, the Chinese government tries to ease the Chinese visa application process. However most foreign national are still required to apply for a different Chinese travel visa type before they make travel plan to China.
There might be situations where you have no time to apply for Chinese visa, forgot to renew your visa or an emergency arises and you are required to travel to China immediately. You can use our expedited China tourist visa and China business visa services. Alternatively you might be eligible to obtain China visa on arrival.
Chinese Visa On Arrival:
The China VOA is issued at a designated Chinese entry point with single entry only. The issued visa validity starts the next day you enter the country. Once your China VOA expires you must exit the country or you may be fined by the immigration authorities.
China offers three different types of China visa on arrival. Continue reading below to learn more.
1. Visa on Arrival in Beijing or Shanghai:
This visa is the most requested China VOA as it allows you to stay up to 30 days in China. The visa is only available for international travelers traveling to China via Beijing Capital International Airport or Shanghai Pudong Airport.
2. Visa on Arrival in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Xiamen:
The three Special Economic Zones: Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Xiamen offer VOA for most nationals who are solely visiting one of these three cities. Which means you are not allowed to leave the city of arrival. Each port visa administration office will issue your Special Economic Zone (SEZ) visa. Here is detailed visa information.
| Visa on Arrival | Valid for | Eligible Ports | Areas Allowed to Stay |
| In Shenzhen | 5 days | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, Luohu Port, Huanggang Port, Shekou Port and Fuyong Port | Shenzhen |
| In Zhuhai | 3 days | Gongbei Port, Hengqin Port and Jiuzhou Port | Zhuhai |
| In Xiamen | 3 days | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | Xiamen |
Who is eligible to apply for China VOA?
The Special Economic Zones VOA isn't available to all nationalities. Only foreign nationals of most EU and developed countries can get a visa on arrival in Shenzhen, such as Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, and Ireland.
Visa policy changes frequently and more nationalities could be added in the future. If you nationality isn't in the above list you should check our comprehensive China visa database and apply for your China tourist visa and China business visa online.
How do I Apply for Chinese visa on arrival?
The China VOA process is pretty easy and straightforward. The entire process takes 10-15 minutes. Once you arrive at the airport will follow the below three steps.
1. Fill in your visa China visa application form.
2. Submit your Chinese visa application form and supporting documents such as your original passport. The passport should be valid for minimum three months.
3. Pay the Chinese visa fee. This can only be paid in CNY and in cash.
For most nationalities the visa costs CNY 168 however China visa on arrival for British passport holders costs CNY 304.
Nationals of the following countries are ineligible for the SEZ visa for Shenzhen:
Afghanistan - Algeria - Bahrain - Cameroon - Egypt - Iran - Iraq - Jordan - Kuwait - Lebanon - Liberia - Libya - Morocco - Oman - Pakistan - Palestine - Saudi Arabia - Somalia - Sri Lanka - Sudan - Syria - Turkey - Uganda - Yemen
Therefore you should apply for Chinese visa before you travel. Apply for your China tourist visa and China business visa online now.
3. Emergency Visa On Arrival:
If you face any emergency situations specially business related or a life and death matter you will be eligible for this visa. However you will have to submit an invitation letter from an accredited Chinese entity.
Where can I obtain China emergency visa on arrival?
China ports of entry offering port visas include Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Guilin, Haikou, Hangzhou, Heihe, Jinan, Kunming, Manchuria, Nanjing, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suifenhe, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi’an, Weihai, Yantai, and Zhuhai.
It's not guaranteed you will receive this landing visa thus it's best to apply for your Chinese tourist visa or Chinese business visa before hand from the nearest Chinese embassy or Chinese consulate. Here is everything you need to know about how apply China visa.
