How Can I Extend My China Visa

Generally speaking, it is not possible to renew, extend a China visa or change it into another type once it is issued. However, if you want to spend more time there, want a multiple-entry visa, or need to have a different type of visa, you can - in many circumstances - apply within China.

Currently, it seems that one month is the standard period for regular tourist visa extension. However, the accumulated length of the extended stay cannot exceed the duration of stay on your original visa.

How to I Renew My Chinese Visa - Essential Procedures to Know

Step 1: Locate the PSB office or Police Station where you temporarily live in.

Step 2: Visit the office, explain your situation and ask for help, get the application form and know application processes and other requirements.

Step 3: Submit all required documents and pay the application fees.

Step 4: Accept inquiries from the Exit & Entry Administration Department of PSB, cooperate with the verification by phonecalls or other ways. Personal appearance to the interview at appointed time, if requested

Step 5: Pick up your passport and new Chinese Visa.

Note: Normally, the applicant should apply appear in person. But the submission can be done by other person, the relatives, the inviting unit or agent, if the applicants is in one of the following situations: under 16 years old, or over 60 years old, has mobility difficulties or other illness; non-first entry visitors with good residence record; all foreigner’s living expenses are guaranteed by the inviting units or individual. Some big cities, like Beijing, Guangzhou, etc, has adopted an online system to complete application form and appointment.

China Visa Renewal Fees The application fees differ from cases and number of entries, ranging from CNY 160 to CNY 672. The following visa fees schedules are listed for reference only. You can contact and visit the local Public Security Bureau for updated costs. (Zero Entry Chinese Visa is a one-time exit visa for visitors stayed longer that the permitted time. )

How to extend or renew my China visa?

The required documents you must prepare in advance include your passport, a recent passport style photo, a registration form of temporary residence, and proof about reasons for extending or renewing your China visa, for example, if you apply for tourist visa extension, you need to submit a travel itinerary.

In normal cases, the applicant should come in person to the PSB Exit and Entry Administration office to submit the application. Upon arrival, complete a visa application form and attach your photo onto it. Then submit the application.

In the following situations, the applicant can have others or an agency submit the application:

1) The applicant is under 16 or more than 60 years old, or with mobility difficulties.

2) The applicant is not a first-time visitor to China and has a good stay record for the past visits.

3) There is an inviting entity or individual funding the applicant’s visit.

How to get the registration form of temporary residence for overseas visitors

The residency registration comes from the regulation that all foreigners must register their accommodation details within 24 hours after entering China.

If you are staying in a hotel certified to accommodate foreigners, it can provide you with a hotel accommodation registration slip. If not, you must obtain an accommodation registration printout from the police station for the area you are living in and where you should already have registered. So if you are staying in a non accredited hotel or with friends or in an apartment but have not registered, you should either register or stay in an accredited hotel for one night in order to get the slip.

How much does it cost to extend a China visa?

For nationals of most countries, the fee is CNY 160. For some countries, the fee may differ. US citizens need to pay CNY 760 for an extension while UK citizens need CNY 469.

Foreign travelers who want to stay longer in China need to apply for an extension. To get an extension on your L visa, you need to submit a form to the Local Public Security Bureau 7 days before the expiration date of your visa. Most visas are issued for 90 to 120 days.

The materials required for extending your L visa are as follows:

Valid passport and your current L visa

Application form for a visa extension

Color photo (35mm x 45mm)

Registration Form of Temporary Residence

Bank account records proving savings of at least 21,000 yuan for a 30-day stay

Reason for the extension

How long you can get an extension for depends on the type of your visa. Multiple entry visas cannot be extended.

72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Visitors from 45 countries can benefit from the policy:

28 countries in the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Three other European countries: Russia, Romania, and Ukraine.

Six countries in the Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

Two countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.

Six countries in Asia: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Travelers who fly to the designated airports and have a flight ticket to a third country can enjoy a 72-hour visa-free service since January 1st, 2013.

These airports facilitate the 72-hour visa-free stopover:

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)

Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE)

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL)

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)

Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX)

Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)

Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN)

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)

Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB)

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Shanghai and some cities nearby allows travelers from 51 countries stay in certain cities for up to 144 hours (6 days) without applying for a Chinese travel visa to experience local culture and life. You can enjoy a journey in China easier.