How to apply for a China visa from Hong Kong?

If you’re an expat living in Hong Kong, and you need to take a trip to Mainland China, you’ll likely need a visa. There are a few exceptions to this, depending on your residence status, the type of travel and the passport you hold - but in most cases they’ll only apply if you’re on an organised tour or are visiting for just a short time.

We’ll cover who does - and does not - need a visa to China from Hong Kong in this guide. We’ll also run through how to get your China visa in HK through the China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC), including documents and processing times.

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Do Hong Kong residents need a visa to enter China?

Whether or not you need a visa to enter China from Hong Kong will depend on a few factors, including:

• Your nationality
• Your Hong Kong residence status - temporary or permanent
• How long you’ll stay in China
• The purpose of your trip

It’s also worth noting that immigration matters are often complex at the best of times. This guide is meant for information only — do check the latest updates and the specifics for your situation online before you apply for your China visa.

If you’re a permanent resident in Hong Kong, you may need to apply for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) re-entry permit to travel to the Mainland or Macau.¹ If you’re not a permanent resident of Hong Kong, whether you need a China visa can vary based on your nationality and travel type.

Which countries’ citizens can travel to China without a visa?

If you are a citizen of certain countries, you might be eligible for the China Visa waiver program. One example is that Australian ordinary passport holders will be eligible for the China visa waiver program, meaning you can visit China for no more than 30 days without a visa². Some other common visa exceptions include:³

• Citizens of countries that are part of the China Visa Waiver Program and hold ordinary passports
• Regional visa-free policy for foreign nationals or organised and approved group tours of no more than 6, 15, or 30 days, depending on which country
• Some transit passengers

But you’ll still need to check the full list of requirements to see if you are fully eligible, as the eligibility requirements are somewhat complex and changing all the time

Can I get a visa on arrival in China?

Supposedly you are invited to join a business meeting in China at the last minute but you are not eligible for visa-free policy, don't worry: you can get a visa on arrival instead! Visa on arrival in China is often known as a China port visa. It’s usually granted for those with urgent reasons. Commonly accepted reasons include the following, though this list is not exhaustive:

• Last-minute business trips
• Humanitarian situations such as attending a funeral or visiting someone who’s critically ill.
• Family reunion visits

That is to say, a visa on arrival is often available to any foreign ordinary passport holders as long as you can submit all the required documents. You may call the consultation hotline at the airport you plan to enter and seek their advice in advance. At some airports, they’ll need to review and approve your arrival in advance, and they’ll give you a pre-acceptance receipt once that’s done.

A visa on arrival only works for one entry. And you must leave before 30 days — the clock starts to tick as soon as you arrive in the country!

To apply for a visa on arrival in China, you just need to submit your passport along with relevant supporting documents to evidence the urgent reasons at the port where you travel to. At the time of writing, China is issuing port visas at 99 ports in 72 cities. Make sure that you enter China from the port where your visa on arrival application is made.

China Visa-free Transit: 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

China has also made your traveling easier with its new 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy.

This policy is an upgrade from the previous 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit options. As the name suggests, it allows travelers to stay in certain provinces for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. This policy, however, is only available to passport holders from 55 eligible countries (as of June 2025).

Travelers from countries such as Australia, Singapore, the United States, Indonesia, and 51 others can transit through 60 designated airports in 24 provinces without needing a visa.

You can find the full list of eligible countries here.

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What visas are available for China?

There are 17 different types of China visa, which are appropriate for different visit purposes and durations. Check the full list⁴, or visit the China Visa Application Service Centre Hong Kong website to learn more and select the most appropriate one for you.⁵

How to apply for a China visa in Hong Kong?

You’ll usually have to apply for a China visa from your country of residence. So if you’re heading to Hong Kong for a visit only, you’ll probably need to sort out your China visa before you depart.

Residents of Hong Kong can apply for a China visa by taking the following steps:⁶

Step 1: Create an account on the CVASC website to complete the China visa application form online. Upload all the required documents and submit the visa application form. After submitting, your application will be reviewed by CVASC. Check your application status via the Application Progress Inquiry.

Step 2: After your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email. Print your Visa Application receipt and go to the CVASC in Hong Kong during office hours (9 AM to 3 PM, weekdays only) to give fingerprints and submit all required and supporting documents.

Step 3: Collect the newly issued China visa at the scheduled time.

China visa requirements

The specific documents you need to prepare for your China visa application will depend on the purpose of your trip. All applicants will need:

• Passport in good condition with at least 6 months validity and at least two blank visa pages
• Photocopy of the passport’s photo and data page
• Completed visa application form with signature
• Recent passport colored photo (within 6 months): must have a white background, measure 48mm × 33mm, with your eyes open, lips closed, and ears clearly visible.
• Proof of legal residence in Hong Kong
• Photocopy of previous Chinese visas if you have ever been issued one
• Previous Chinese passport or a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport (applicable only if you used to be Chinese citizens before)

Additional supporting documents will vary by visa type - so you may need an invitation letter if you’re visiting for business, or an onward travel ticket if you’re transiting China, for example.

Where to get a China visa in Hong Kong?

Visit the CVASC website to complete your visa application form online and submit the documents. You’ll then need to go to the CVASC to present paperwork and give your fingerprints.

The CVASC in Hong Kong is located at: 20/F, Capital Center, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

How much is the China visa fee?

CVASC only accepts HKD cash and Hong Kong debit cards. Make sure to prepare the correct payment method before you make your way to the CVASC.

The China visa Hong Kong fee may vary by nationality and based on the visa agreements between China and your country of citizenship. Some countries have reciprocal arrangements in place which may mean the costs of getting a China visa vary - this may mean you pay more, or less, than the standard cost.

The basic China visa fee for Regular service is:⁷

China visa in Hong Kong: same day process

The visa on arrival option is the only China visa that is issued within a day. If you have an emergency and need an urgent visa, besides the visa on arrival option, you can also pay extra for Express visa service (3 working days) or Urgent visa service (2 working days). Here how much these two costs⁷:

How to renew your China visa in Hong Kong?

Renew your China visa in Hong Kong by completing the CVASC application form - you may not need to give your biometric data again if it is already on file. However, you will be required to provide copies of previous China visas as supporting documents for your application.

Use this guide to get you started if you need to make a China visa application in Hong Kong. Because immigration processes are often complex and dynamic , it’s worth looking for up to date details before you travel. Sometimes, you might have to go through more checks and stricter travel rules, so budget plenty of time to get your visa in place if you can.

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