Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of many countries can now enter China visa-free for up to 15 days. The following countries currently qualify:

All European Union member states, plus United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and more.

If your passport is from one of these countries, you do not need to apply for a visa as long as your stay does not exceed 15 days. Simply ensure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip.

Visa-free policies can change. We recommend verifying your country's current status at visaforchina.cn or through your country's Chinese Embassy or Consulate before booking.

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

If you are transiting through Beijing on your way to a third country and your stay is 10 days or less, you may be eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy — no visa required for the transit period. This applies to passport holders from the following countries:

United States, Canada, United Kingdom, all EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, UAE, Qatar, and more.

To qualify, you must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region and remain within the designated transit areas. This policy does not apply to those planning to stay in China beyond 10 days.

Check the latest list of eligible countries and conditions at visaforchina.cn before traveling.

Visa Required

If your passport is not on the visa-free list above, you will need to apply for a tourist visa (Type L) in advance. The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco now accepts online applications — you can complete your form and upload your documents digitally before submitting your passport.

Chinese Consulate General, San Francisco

1450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 (

Visa Application Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Step 1 — Complete the application online Register an account and fill out your application at the official China Online Visa Application portal: consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA. Select "San Francisco" as your consulate, fill in your details, upload your documents, and submit for preliminary online review.

Step 2 — Gather your documents to upload

Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, with at least one blank page)

One passport-style photo (2"×2", white background)

Proof of travel — flight itinerary and hotel booking confirmation

Step 3 — Submit your passport Once your online application shows "Passport to be submitted," bring or mail your physical passport to the Consulate. No appointment is needed. The fee for U.S. citizens is $140 USD for a single-entry visa; fees for other nationalities are listed on the portal. Express service is available for an additional $25. If you'd prefer not to handle it yourself, a visa agency such as CIBT or CITS can manage the submission on your behalf.

Our advice: Apply at least 6–8 weeks before the wedding. Give yourself plenty of time — don't leave it to the last minute!

Not sure about your passport? Check visaforchina.cn or contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country for the most current requirements. When in doubt, reach out to us and we'll help point you in the right direction!