China is becoming a popular tourist destination-so much so, in fact, that it’s hard to believe that most foreigners were shut out of the country until 1974. Since then, though, China’s tourist industry has grown rapidly.
According to Wikipedia, in 1985 1.4 million people visited China, bringing in the equivalent of $1.3 billion. By 2006, that number had increased to 49.6 million visitors, making China the fourth most-visited country in the world. By 2020, the World Trade Organization predicts that the country will be the “largest tourist country in the world, and the fourth largest for overseas travel.”
If you are an American citizen, a visa is required for you to visit China as a tourist. You will need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa, called an “L” visa, before you leave, as visas are not issued on arrival in China.
Depending on what you itinerary is like and how often you plan to visit, American citizens can apply for a single -entry Chinese visa valid for 3-6 months, a double-entry visa valid for 6 months or a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months.
Here’s what you need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa:
- A Chinese visa application
- Your US passport. Your passport needs to have an expiration date at least 6 months in the future, and you need at least one blank page in the back.
- Also, submit a copy of the information page (the page with your name, date of birth, etc on it)
- One passport photo glued or stapled to the application.
If you are leaving within the next 7 days, you should also enclose a copy of your travel itinerary so that your Chinese visa can be expedited.
RushMyTravelVisa.com can make the application process easier on you and faster, too. We’ll help you through the application process, providing clear, step-by-step instructions. Then, we’ll deliver your Chinese visa application to the appropriate visa or consulate, for the fastest possible processing.
