How to apply for a China Tourist (L) Visa

This is a simple guide for individuals seeking to apply for a China Tourist/Family (L) Visa. Just to clarify, I am not in anyway connected to the China Embassy and the information I am posting here are based from my experience when I applied for the same visa together with my parents. 

I am a Philippine passport holder employed in the Philippines. Here's what I submitted when i applied for a Tourist or Family Visa (L):

1. Applicant's passport with blank pages and 6 months validity

2. Completed application form (2011a) affixed with 1 passport or 2x2 colored photo with white background (photo must be glued on the application form. stapled and scanned photo will not be accepted)

3. Copy of round trip plane ticket

4. Hotel reservation

5. Previously issued China Visa in old or new passport

6. Photocopy of passport, 1st page of passport (where your personal/passport information is) and last page (where your emergency contact information is)

7. For first time applicants, additional requirements is as follows:

a. Original NBI clearance valid for travel abroad (make sure your NBI clearance has a dry seal)

b. Original bank certificate updated within the month you are applying (at least Php50,000)

c. For employed persons, also provide employment certificate, company ID, SSS ID and contributions (online printout from SSS website is accepted), TIN ID and latest ITR (or BIR form 2316)

Applicable visa fees for Philippine passport holders are:

Single entry - Php1,400

Double entries - Php2,100

6-month multiple entries - Php2,800

12-month multiple entries - Php4,200

Applying for a China visa is pretty straightforward. Just complete all the requirements above and submit them at the China Embassy. If you complied, they will get your passport and the submitted requirements. Then they'll give you a stub of when your passport and China visa will be ready for pickup. You will pay the visa fees upon pickup. Regular processing time is 4 working days. For express service, additional fees of Php1,700 for next working day releasing will be charged and Php1,100 for a 3-day releasing time.

China Embassy Consular Section is located at 2F The World Center 330 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (near Mapua Makati). Application is from 930am to 1130am but applicants normally start to line up as early as 7am. They do not accept applications in the afternoon. They also do not require authorization letters if you apply on behalf of someone else.

Lastly, just make sure that your NBI clearance has a dry seal. This was the only problem I encountered because the new system adopted by NBI does not provide a dry seal. You have to personally ask for one.

For more information on other types of China Visa visit their website here.

Hope this helps,

shla