How to Get a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong: Step-by-Step Guide to Application, Requirements, and Travel Tips
Updated: November 17 , 2025
How to get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong
While it’s good news that you can enjoy Hong Kong without the concern of arranging a visa, if your travel plans take in anywhere else in China, you will need a visa. Apart from ordinary passport holders from 28 countries signed the bilateral agreements with China (including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand), who can enjoy visa-free access to China for up to 30 days, every other visitor is required to make arrangements for the relevant China visa.
The latest news in Nov 2025 confirmed that China has extended the unilateral visa-free policy to 48 countries.* Until December 31, 2026, ordinary passports holders from the specified 48 countries (Russia – September 14, 2026) can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes.
| * Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Bazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia and Sweden. |
Our big tip on this? We strongly recommend travelers make tour arrangements well in advance of their visit to China and apply for a Chinese visa from the Chinese embassy or consulate in their country of origin.
Now the caveat on applying for a China visa is this: If you are a citizen from one of 54 countries around the world (check out the list below), and plan to take advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy (that applies to 65 eligible ports in 24 provinces), then you don’t need to apply for a Chinese visa.
| 40 European countries | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway |
| 6 countries in North and South America | United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile |
| 2 Oceania countries | Australia, New Zealand |
| 7 Asian countries | Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia |
Let’s explain how that would work with a few sample itineraries. Hint: These examples do not require a Chinese visa.
Hong Kong – Shanghai – USA
Hong Kong – Beijing – Tianjin – Japan
Hong Kong – Guangzhou – Australia
To make things clearer – and show how you can optimize the flexible travel policy available by making Hong Kong the start point for your holiday – we’ve put together this table that shows 240-hour visa-free transit accessible ports in 24 provinces, cities and popular destinations you can visit.
| Provinces (Autonomous Regions and Municipalities) | Eligible Ports | Permitted Stay Areas | Main Cities / Popular Destinations you may visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEIJING | Beijing Capital International AirportBeijing Daxing International Airport | Beijing Municipality | Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Place, Hutongs |
| TIANJIN | Tianjin Binhai International Airport Tianjin Port (Passenger) | Tianjin Municipality | Tianjin Eye (Ferris wheel), Ancient Culture Street, Tianjin Museum, Five Great Avenues |
| HEBEI | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International AirportQinhuangdao Port (Passenger) | Hebei Province | Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Chengde, Zhangjiakou(Jinshanling Great Wall, Chengde Mountain Resort, Shanhai Pass, Beidaihe, Zhangbei Grassland, Wanlong Ski Resort) |
| LIAONING | Shenyang Taoxian International AirportDalian Zhoushuizi International AirportDalian Port (Passenger) | Liaoning Province | Shenyang, Dalian, Benxi, Dandong Anshan (Mukden Palace, Dalian Xinghai Park, Anshan Jade Buddha Palace) |
| SHANGHAI | Shanghai Hongqiao Internatioanl AirportShanghai Pudong International AirportShanghai Port | Shanghai Municipality | The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, Shanghai Disneyland Park |
| JIANGSU | Nanjing Internatioanl AirportSu’nan Shuofang International AirportYangzhou Taizhou International AirportLianyungang Port (Passenger) | Jiangsu Province | Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Lianyungang, Xuzhou, Nantong, Zhenjiang (Purple Mountain, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming dynasty city wall and gates, Classical Gardens of Suzhou, Zhouzhuang, Yangzhou Slender West Lake) |
| ZHEJIANG | Hangzhou Xiaosha Internatioanl AirportNingbo Lishe International AirportWenzhou Longwan International AirportYiwu AirportWenzhou Port (Passenger)Zhoushan Port (Passenger) | Zhejiang Province | Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Yiwu, Zhoushan (West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Tianyi Pavilion, Mount Putuo, Wuzhen, Xitang, Baoguo Temple, Thousand-island lake, Lan Ting, Nanxun, Mount Mogan, Yandang Mountains) |
| ANHUI | Hefei Xinqiao Internatioanl AirportHuangshan Tunxi International Airport | Anhui Province | Hefei, Huangshan, Wuhu, Anqing (Mount Huangshan, Tunxi, Xidi, Hongcun, Jiuhua Mountain) |
| FUJIAN | Fuzhou Changle Internatioanl AirportXiamen Gaoqi International AirportQuanzhou Jinjiang International AirportWuyishan AirportXiamen Port (Passenger) | Fujian Province | Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou (Gulangyu Island,Fujian Tulou Cluster,South Putuo Temple, Danxia Landform in Taining, Wuyi Mountains) |
| SHANDONG | Jinan Yaoqiang Internatioanl AirportQingdao Jiaodong International AirportYantai Penglai International AirportWeihai Dashuipo International AirportQingdao Port (Passenger) | Shangdong Province | Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Qufu, Tai’an, Weifang (Temple and Cemetery of Confucius in Qufu, Mount Tai, Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, Laoshan Mountain, Penglai Pavilion) |
| HENAN | Zhengzhou Xinzheng Internatioanl Airport | Henan Province | Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang (Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, Mount Song, White Horse Temple, Yinxu, Yuntai Mountain) |
| HUBEI | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Hubei Province | Wuhan, Yichang, Jingmen, Shiyan (Three Gorges of the Yangtze, Shennongjia, Yellow Crane Tower, Mount Wudang) |
| HUNAN | Changsha Huanghua International Airport Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport | Hunan Province | Changsha, Hengyang, Zhuzhou, Yueyang, Zhangjiajie (Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yueyang Tower, Fenghuang ancient town, Mawangdui) |
| GUANGDONG | Guangzhou Baiyun Internatioanl AirportShenzhen Bao’an International AirportJieyang Chaoshan International AirportNansha Port （Passenger)Shekou Port (Passenger) | Guangdong Province (Exits available at all open ports across the province) | Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Chaozhou (Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island, Danxia Mountain, Window of the World) |
| HAINAN | Haikou Meilan Internatioanl AirportSanya Phoenix International Airport | Hainan Province | Haikou, Sanya, Yalongwan, Wenchang, Qionghai (Yalong Bay, Nanshan Temple, Tianya Haijiao, Luhuitou Park, Wuzhizhou Coral Island) |
| CHONGQING | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing Municipality | Three Gorges of Yangtze River, Ciqikou, Hongyadong, Fengdu Ghost City, Baiheliang Underwater Museum, Dazu Rock Carvings |
| GUIZHOU | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport | Guizhou Province | Guiyang, Zunyi, Anshun, Liupanshui, Kali (Huangguoshu Waterfall, Mount Fanjing, Kaili Miao Villages, Zhenyuan Ancient Town, Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area) |
| SHAANXI | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport | Shaanxi Province | Xi’an, Xianyang, Baoji, Hanzhong, Yan’an (Terracotta Army, Xi’an City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Mount Hua, Famen Temple, Hukou Waterfall, Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor) |
| SHANXI | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport | Taiyuan City, Datong City | Taiyuan (Shanxi Museum, Twin Pagoda Temple, Jinci Tempel, Tianlongshan Grottoes) Datong (Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Monastery, Shanhua Temple, Huayan Monastery) |
| HEILONGJIANG | Harbin Taiping Internatioanl Airport | Harbin City | Harbin Ice and Snow World, Central Street, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Sun Island |
| JIANGXI | Nanchang Chengbei International Airport | Nanchang City, Jingdezhen City | Nanchang (Pavilion of Prince Teng, Bayi Square, Bada Shanren Memorial Hall, Qiushui Square) Jingdezhen (China Ceramic Museum, Jingdezhen Ancient Kilns and Folk Customs Museum) |
| GUANGXI | Nanning Wuxu International AirportGuilin Liangjiang International AirportBeihai Fucheng AirportBeihai Port (Passenger) | 12 cities – Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin | Nanning (Guangxi Museum, Mount Qingxiu, People’s Park, Yangmei Ancient Town) Guilin (Li River, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park) |
| SICHUAN | Chengdu Shuangliu Internatioanl AirportChengdu Tianfu International Airport | 11 cities — Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, Ziyang | Chengdu (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda, Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley, Jinli Street, Wenshu Yuan Monastery, Wuhou Shrine, Mount Qingcheng, Dujiangyan) Leshan (Mount Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha) |
| YUNNAN | Kunming Changshui Internatioanl AirportLijiang Sanyi International AirportMohan Railway Port | 9 cities – Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, Lijiang | Kunming (Stone Forest, Yuantong Tempel) Dali (Erhai Lake, Chongsheg Temple, Dali Ancient Town) Lijiang (Old Town of Lijiang, Shuhe Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) |
What if I’m a expat? How do I get a China visa in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong continues to operate as an important commercial hub in Asia and it’s no surprise that it still draws workers who want to experience the city as a working professional. If you fall into this category, you can apply for a China visa at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Hong Kong. Just be aware that applicants must reside in Hong Kong when submitting an application.
And if you’re a tourist? How do you arrange a visa for China if you’re in Hong Kong?
If you are eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy and just visit China for a short trip in the specified regions and no more than 10 days, you don’t need to apply for a visa. Or you can take advantage of visa-free policy during Nov 30 2024 to Dec 31 2026, if you are the ordinary passport holder from the certain countries, and come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 30 days. Otherwise, travelers who are staying in Hong Kong temporarily can submit a China visa application in Hong Kong by visiting the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in person. Alternatively, you can apply through an agency, such as China Travel Services Hong Kong Ltd. Keep in mind you will need an authorized letter enclosed with copies of photo identification, and if it’s your first time applying for a China visa, you will definitely have to make your application in person. Turnaround times on visas are relatively quick – just four days in most cases – however, an express service (two-day turnaround) is available.
What supporting documents are needed?
As with all visa applications, supporting documentation is required. Here are the basic requirements you’ll need:
- Original passport with a minimum of two blank pages and valid for at least six months.
- A copy of the passport and data page
- Completed visa application form with a recent color passport photo taken against a which background and showing a bare head and full face
- Proof of a legal stay or residence status, or various valid certificates relevant to the visa
- Birth certificate and parents’ passport copies if the first-time applicant is under 18 years.
For an L Visa, that is, travelers visiting China as a tourist, there are some additional requirements:
- Documents showing your travel itinerary, including air ticket booking record (showing a round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation
- An invitation letter that contains:
- Applicant information (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
- Details of the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
- Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, and signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
Be sure you take the time to prepare your application correctly because an inadvertent omission or mistake will mean your travel plans could be delayed.
Where do I get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong?
Here are the best locations for organizing your Chinese visa if you’re in Hong Kong.
| Agency | Address | Telephone | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTS Hong Kong China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd | CTS House 78-83 Connaught Road, Central Hong Kong (head office) | +852 2315 7171 +852 2853 3533 | Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 6:00pm |
| FBT China Visa Agency Forever Bright Trading Ltd | Room 916-917 New Mandarin Plaza Tower B, 14 Science Museum Road, East TST, Kowloon, Hong Kong | +852 2369 3188 | Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 6:00pm Saturday: 8:30am – 1:30pm |
| Chinese Visa Application Service Center | 20/F Capital Cernter 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong | +852 2992 1999 | Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm |
Has this information been helpful? Are you looking to travel to Hong Kong and mainland China but unsure how to create an itinerary you’ll love? The team at ChinaTours.com can help. Helping people create China travel adventures is what we do and we’d welcome the opportunity to show China to you. Let us design a tour you’ll remember long after you’ve arrived home so you can enjoy beautiful travel memories that last a lifetime. Reach out to our team today – We’re here for you.