Perhaps you’ve heard about the 10-year China visas that became an option following in late 2014. Most people, however, don’t quite understand what this new 10-year visa means. I’d like to answer the most commonly asked questions about the China 10 year tourist visa.
*Note: For complete information on getting a visa for China, please see the TravelChinaCheaper Comprehensive China Visa Guide.
The China 10 year visa has been a bit confusing since the moment it was first introduced. I’ve received countless emails over the past few years specifically about this topic.
While I normally suggest people just work with a professional visa service (I personally recommend Passport Visa Express), I thought it might be helpful if I took some time to answer these questions for all to see.
So if you’re interested in obtaining a 10-year visa (or curious as to why you would even want one), here are a few FAQ’s that might help.
It’s worth noting that this information is taken out of a chapter of my China travel handbook, a book available on Amazon as both an ebook and a paper back.
It’s basically everything you need to know before you step foot in China and if you read the reviews on Amazon, you’ll know that it truly is a helpful travel resource.
So continue reading here about the 10-year China visa and then go grab a copy of the book titled Travel to China | Everything You Need to Know Before You Go. I promise you won’t regret it!
*Note* Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may be compensated if you choose to use a service listed here.
Why Get a 10 Year China Visa?
The way this particular policy for China visas has been named is actually a bit deceptive. This doesn’t mean that you can stay in China for 10 years
This visa means that your visa is valid for 10 years.
Because this is a multiple-entry visa, this could save you quite a bit of money if you plan on visiting China more than once over the next decade.
A 10-year visa could save you quite a bit of money if you plan on visiting China more than once over the next decade.
If you’ll be traveling to China frequently for business, this 10-year travel visa will keep you from having to apply for a new visa every single time you make a trip.
And finally, it will save you money. That $140+ fee will only have to be paid once and then you’re good for 10 years.
What if My Passport Expires in Less Than 10 Years?
You’re fine. They’ve already thought about this and there are two solutions that work fine.
If your passport is only recently expired, all you have to do is bring your expired passport that has the visa and show it along with your new passport.
As long as all the information is the same on both passports they’ll allow it. In other words, if you get married and your name changes, this won’t work for you.
After a little while, though, you’ll have to get the visa transferred from your old passport to your new one.
This will involve sending your passports to a Chinese consulate through a visa agency (such as Passport Visas Express) or in person.
How Long Can I Stay in China per Entry?
As with most Chinese visas, your stay limit can be anywhere between 30-120 days.
Most of the time you can request and be granted a 60-day stay per entry (for tourists this is the max) but if you need something longer you can make a special request. These requests aren’t usually granted unless you’re coming in on a business or family visit visa.
More than likely they’ll make you give a reason for this special request and it’s entirely up to the consulate to determine whether or not they give you an extended stay visa.
Can I Work on a 10 Year China Visa?
Technically no, you can’t. Nor should you.
If you get caught there will certainly be punishment both for you and the company that has hired you.
And for those of you with a 10-year China business visa who are confused, when I say “work”, I mean coming into China and getting directly paid by a Chinese company for doing work in China.
You can conduct business for your foreign company on a business visa, but you cannot work here as an employee.
This is more of a warning for tourists who come to China with a school on the promise of a work visa. They are told to work on their tourist visa until all the paperwork comes through.
This is a BAD idea.
Any legitimate business or school should provide you with a work visa. If they ask you to make “visa runs” on your 10-year visa, get the heck out of that situation as quickly as you can!
Is a 10 Year China Visa More Expensive?
No! The fee for a 10-year China visa is exactly the same as the prior 1-year visas.
More than likely, you’ll actually save money since you won’t have to pay for another visa the next time you come to visit China.
Once I get the Visa, What Requirements Are There?
I’ve been asked by some people whether they still have to submit documents (ie proof of round trip tickets, hotel reservations, etc.) every time they visit China on a 10-year China visa.
The answer is a simple no. The only time you need to provide those documents is when you’re first applying for the visa. Once you actually get the visa, you have the right to enter China at any time for the duration of the visa, no questions asked.
Just don’t overstay your limit…that could easily get you in trouble!
How do I Apply for a 10-Year China Visa?
It’s simple. When you fill out your visa application, just tick the box that says “10 Year Visa”. If no such option exists, find section 2.2 where it says “Other” and write “10 Years” in that space.
Unless you live in Houston, LA, San Francisco, Chicago or New York you’re going to need to use a passport agent to apply for a visa. I’ve used Passport Visa Express and they made it quite simple to apply for a 10-year visa (look for the option for a “3650 day stay”…ha!).
If you want some other good options for Visa Services, you can check out this comparison of the best China visa services.
I’m from Chicago and got a 10 year Visa for China without using any agency, all you need to do is goto the Chinese embassy and fill out the forms, easy as 1-2-3
Sure, it’s easy if you live in Chicago. If you don’t live in a city with a Chinese embassy, though, it’s not as easy as 1-2-3…trust me 🙂
VT, how long did it take in the embassy?
One thing you didN’t ADDRESS is when you leave china After two months, how long/ when can you reTurn to CHINA again after exiting each 2 months on a 10 year ChInese visa ?
What if you live in maryland near DC? Why would there be any problems obtaining a visa by yourself other than Having to travel far?
There isn’t, you just have to be willing to drive to the embassy multiple times and make sure that you fill out all the documentation correctly. A visa service is helpful for everybody else who doesn’t live near the embassy and others who would like to have an expert look over their application to make sure it’s done correctly and isn’t rejected (I’ve had mine rejected once).
I do live in Houston and applied for my visa myself in 2016 anD received a 10 year visa. I hadn’T read your recommendations at the time and in section 2.2, i chose “one entry valid for 3 months from the date of issue” on my application. Now i’m going back to china next month. Do i need a new visa?
Hey Lisa, it doesn’t matter what you selected on your application, only what you received in your passport. Read all the details of your actual visa page and that will tell you what you’ve been allowed.
Hi Josh. Thanks for the info. My daughter has a 10-year visa because she went to china last year as a tourist. This summer, she’s been accepted to a summer semester at a Chinese university, but it’s only five weeks long. Will there be any negative consequences if she goes to China for the university program on her tourist visa? Because I’d hate to have to buy yet another visa and relinquish her 10-year tourist visa so soon. Thanks for the info on this site. It’s much appreciated.
Hey Erin, great question. The truth is that she probably won’t have any problems, although technically she’s supposed to apply for a student visa. I would speak with her university and if they don’t have an issue with her being on a tourist visa, then go with it.
dear sir, in 1984 during a time of mental illness which I donot suffer from any more, I was convicted of 2 counts of indecent liberties, a felony will this prevent me from getting a ten yr visa and what are the requirements for back ground checks in general? Thank u so much for all the great info. yours, Jack Carleson
Hi Jack, if I remember right, you don’t have to submit a background check for a tourist visa, only for visas that turn into residence permits (student, work, business, etc.).
If I leave China and go to Hong Kong on Saturday May,25th and arrive at the Kowloon station, go through immigration, can I then turn around and go back to China at 22:50 on the same day?
Yes, you can. We call it a “visa run” and there’s no set period of time that you have to be out of the country. You just have to leave and return.
Josh
DOes the 10 year visa require that you enter China for the first time within 90 days of the issuance of the visa?
Does Hong Kong count as entering China?
Thanks
Sj
Yes, it usually does require that you enter within 30 days and no, Hong Kong does not count.
Hi Jack, we are going on an Asian cruiSe in OctobEr the last feW ports Are in China how soon should we apply for tourist visas?
Usually between 1-3 months in advance of your departure date.
Hello! i think This has already been answered. I have a 10 year business visa that i used last july (2018), going back to do some more business in shenzhen in a moNth and was hoping to do day trips to macau and hong kong. WOuld immigration have any issue with me leaving and coming back. My period of business there is only a month either way so im guessing multiple entries wouldnt be an issue as im not reaching anywhere near the 60 day mark
hi! thanks for writing this. I have a question. If i want to visit shenzhen for 60 days, then hop to hong kong, spend a weekend, then hop back for another 60 days, is that ok?
As long as your visa allows for a 60-day stay, then yes, that is ok.
I have a passport I got at the Magnolia , Texas Post Office . I want to get a 10 Visa to China , do I have to get a China Passport to enter China too ?
No, you only need a Chinese visa in your U.S. passport to enter China.
I went to China a couple years ago. Im pretty sure i got a 10 year visa but im not certain. My passport has since expired, and i’ve gotten a new one, but i cannot find my old pasSport. I need to go to china in December for three weeks for school. Will i be aBle to reapply with my new passport?
Yes, you can reapply with the new passport. If you can find your old passport, though, it would be easier to transfer the old visa to the new passport (although the Chinese consulate would still have to do that for you).
I want to clarify a response you gave earlier about how soon you need to travel to china after receiving a tourist visa. I am going to the CONSULATE myself in chicago to apply fpr a ten year tourist visa. i was thinking of just going ahead and applying for my husband as well even though he is NOT traveling to china now. Our daughter is moving there so he will be going there but does not have a date in mind. Just thought we could avoid the fee of going thru an agency later as we do not live in Chicago and would have to use a service. so bottom line, is there a timeline by which you have to travel to China after the visa is issued. thank you
In order to get the visa, you will need proof of travel. This could be either an invitation letter or flight/hotel booking confirmations.
If you really want to get the visa for your husband, you could go so far as to book refundable flight/hotels just for the sake of the visa. You wouldn’t be the first person to do it!
I’m a bit confused.
I have the same question as S. johnson and Patricia Benham above. Yesterday I emailED the consulate in DC–“I …travel internationally almost full time. I wish to visit The People’s Republic of China on a tour next year, July 26-August 17, 2020… I will ONLY be in the USA March 20, 2020 until April 17, 2020,…Will it be possible to obtain a visa more than 90 days before my intended arrival into China, with a valid ‘Enter Before’ date for my planned tour?”
Their response today: “You may request 10 years multiple entry.” From that response, I would assume the ten year did not have this “Enter Before” qualification.
can you clarify?
Thanks
Mark
Usually they do have the “Enter Before” for the first time use. What may be helpful to know is that you don’t have to go to the DC consulate to get the visa. If you’re in Thailand, you can go to the Chinese embassy in Thailand to get the visa, or if you’re in the U.K., you can go to the Chinese embassy in London.
Hi,
I have a question about a 10-year multiple entry visa. My boyfriend got this tourist visa and he is now with me here in China, I am also a foreigner that resides here in china in a working visa. been working here for 2 years now. can he stay here with me if he is just always going outside china every 60 days of entry? can he use that visa every time? I plan to continue to work here for a year or two and he plans to stay with me and we will just always go outside china every 60 days to renew his entry in china. he will not ilegally work in china but he does online jobs so he got paid from outside china. do you think what we are doing is ok? I just hope we never violate any Chinese rules and not get in trouble for him staying with me every 60 days.
NevEr tell the chinese GOVERNMENT you are working in china other than a work visa! They could send you (your boyfriend) pacKing and fine your boyfriend and blaCk list him forever from entering china again. I have lived in China 18 years- lived in several provinces and worked aT primary, middle , high school and two universities! As long as your BOYFRIEND does his visa run every 60 days and the school is ok With your BOYfriend living with you in a schOol apartment, then it’s ok! Don’t think you are safe in china because you got work and an apartmenT from the school . Ask the school beFore you assume anything. Remember, the school pays for your apartment and not youR boyfriend ! i haved work on a marriage visa at a private school in ningbo, but the school had no problem as im making them money everyday! I don’t suggest that! My Chinese wife works for the government and is a member of the communist party! I have also registered with the Local police as they require it with any move. Its qUite easy! Best of luck to you !
You can also easily get a visa WITHOUT a passport SERVICE if you live in the WASHINGTON DC area
Of course you can. You can apply to get a visa even if you DON’T live in the Washington D.C. area.
CaLifornia has two chinese embassies and i go to the one in los angeles, californiA. You don’t have to use a visa service! Some people drive several hours from another state to a chinese embassy. It’s perfectly okay! Beware of the san francisco chinese embassy as in the past the have turned me down several times and i had chinese documentation from the chinese schoOl that invited me to china. They might have changed. Bring identification, 4 passport photos and your passport. If your PASSPORT NEEDS more pages the us government won’t add pages anymore! You have to pay to get a new one. I just got my new passport in shanghai at the us EMBASSY on nanjing road. Best of luck! Always present yourself at the chinese embassy window with a GOOD attitude! BelieVe me it can heLp !
Hello, because my family has an apartment in Shanghai I am able to make frequent trips to china on my 10 year visa. i saw that you mentioned it is not allowed to seek employment with a company with this visa. I am wondering are there any small exceptions or is this quite strict? i am asking because 3 neighborhood kids here in shanghai are interested in some tutoring. obviously this is very little money and not affiliated with any company. Would something like that still be a violation?
Hey Kat! Technically, it’s against the law. In practice, it happens all the time. As long as you’re not making a big deal of it and not making tons of money, it’s usually overlooked.
Be careful I say! I haved also tutored chinese in my aPartment through “word of mouth” and expats do this. Just don’t advertise on wechat on another chinese site. You can make extra money! But, beware of making too much! I have taught children in my home for a few hundRed rmb a week.
Hi Josh, we are planning to visit Beijing (From Dubai) with our kids for 4 days on the way to manila, then stop by beijing again for a day on the way back to Dubai (from manila). Do you recommend we apply for a double entry Visa or will we be eligible to apply for a 10 year visit Visa?
Since we booked the flight end of next week, want to make sure we apply for the proper visa.
Depending on your passport and what kind of visa you’re applying for, you can get both a multi-entry and a 10-year visa.
Hello,
my 3 young children and i were to travel to china over spring break this march. We have flights, hotles, and have started the visa process. We fly to Washington DC to complete the visa APPLICATION in February with hopes to be granted the 10 year muLti-entry. My fear iS that we may need to POSTPONE our trip due to the coroNavirus. ShoulD i proceed forward with the visa application anyway So we have them of/when we reschedule or if we do not use it for the first time before a certain date will it be INVALID? Thanks!
You’ll probably want to consult with the nearest Chinese consulate to be sure. My initial thought is that you should get the visa if you already have your tickets and hotel booked. It will be good for 10 years no matter when you get it!
I was issued a 10 year visa on Jan10,2020. I am being told that it is no longer valid, is that true? I have a cruise on 9/4/21 leaving Shanghai . I will arrive 9/3/21 leave 9/4 and be back in Shanghai on 9/12. departing on that day back to us. Cruise is to Japan. Is the 144 hour exemption applicable
With Covid, probably not, Paul. You’ll likely be subject the 14-day quarantine and I don’t even think cruises are still running.