Visa Requirements for Chinese Citizens

Chinese citizens can visit approximately 80 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. Popular visa-free destinations include Thailand (30 days), Singapore (30 days), Malaysia (15 days), Indonesia (30 days), Maldives (30 days), UAE (30 days), Serbia (30 days), Georgia (30 days), Kazakhstan (30 days), and Qatar (30 days). Mutual visa-free agreements with Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia have made Southeast Asian travel particularly convenient for Chinese tourists.

The US B1/B2 tourist and business visa costs $185 (approximately ¥1,350) for Chinese applicants. This is a non-refundable application fee paid before scheduling your visa interview at the US Embassy in Beijing or US Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, or Shenyang. Processing typically takes 3 to 5 working days after the interview.

The UK Standard Visitor Visa costs £127 (approximately ¥1,170) for Chinese citizens applying for stays up to 6 months. VFS Global charges an additional service fee of around ¥220. Priority processing is available for £500 extra (5 working days) or £1,000 for Super Priority (next working day). Applications are processed through VFS Global centers in major Chinese cities.

Schengen visa processing for Chinese applicants typically takes 15 to 30 calendar days from the date of application. During peak travel season (June to September and Chinese New Year), processing can extend to 45 days. The Schengen visa fee is €80 (approximately ¥620) and allows travel to all 29 Schengen member countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Standard visa requirements for Chinese citizens include: valid passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds, employment certificate with salary details, confirmed flight itinerary and hotel bookings, travel insurance (mandatory for Schengen), hukou (household registration) copy, and cover letter explaining travel purpose.

The US B1/B2 visa approval rate for Chinese applicants is approximately 75% to 82% based on recent fiscal year data. Approval rates are higher for applicants with strong ties to China, previous international travel history, stable employment, and clear documentation of funds. First-time applicants and younger travelers may face additional scrutiny.

No, Chinese citizens cannot get a visa on arrival in Japan. A visa must be obtained in advance through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in China. However, processing is relatively quick at 5 to 7 working days, and the tourist visa fee is approximately ¥200 to ¥400 depending on single or multiple entry. Japan remains one of the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists.

Chinese applicants face higher rejection rates for Schengen visas from certain countries, particularly France (rejection rate around 12%), Germany (10%), and Netherlands (11%). Common rejection reasons include insufficient financial documentation, unclear travel purpose, weak ties to China, and incomplete applications. The UK has a rejection rate of approximately 12% to 15% for Chinese tourist visa applications.

To maximize visa approval chances: apply at least 4 to 8 weeks before travel, provide 6 months of bank statements showing consistent income and savings, include proof of property ownership or other assets in China, document previous international travel stamps (especially to developed countries), provide a detailed day-by-day travel itinerary with hotel bookings, show stable employment with a company letter stating your position, salary, and approved leave dates, and ensure all documents are properly translated where required.