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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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View Comments
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.