Your Guide to Applying for a 10-Year Visa for Chin

If you make multiple trips to China every year, a 10-year visa can be a convenient option to consider. 

Let's take a closer look at what it is and how you can apply for one.

A 10-year visa doesn't permit you to stay in China for an entire decade; instead, it means that your visa remains valid for ten years. 

This type of visa allows short stays of up to three months for tourist or business visits. The duration of each trip varies from 30–120 days based on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.

1. Convenience: If you frequently travel to China for work or family purposes, having a 10-year travel visa can save you time and hassle by avoiding the need for a visa application process for each trip.

2. Cost-effective: For US citizens, the cost of a 10-year visa is the same as that of other short-term visas. Paying the $140+ fee just once will cover your visa expenses for the next ten years.

As of February 2018, citizens of five countries are eligible for a 10-year visa: The United States, The United Kingdom, Argentina, Canada, Israel. These visas only apply to those traveling for tourism (L), business (M), private visits (S2), or family reunions (Q2) purposes.

Here are the steps:

1. Download the visa application form and fill it out.

Note: when filling out the application form, select the “10-Year Visa” option if available. If not, go to section 2.2 and select “Other” before indicating that you need a visa for ten years.

2. Submit your documents (outlined below).

3. Pay the visa application fee and collect your visa.

- An original passport valid for six months with blank side-by-side visa pages

- A completed visa application form

- A recent passport photograph

- Proof of a round-trip flight ticket booking record and hotel reservation

If your purpose of travel is business, you will also require an additional set of documents: a written invitation from a host in China with an official stamp and a company business letter.

You do not have to submit these documents every time you visit China. You only need to provide them when applying for a 10-year visa for the first time.

Like other China visas, the processing time for a 10-year visa is usually two to four working days.