FYI, there’s more to the People’s Republic of China than The Great Wall in Beijing. China is a massive country blessed with abundant natural resources and geologic formations like Mt. Huangshan, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park. It’s historical and cultural sites aren’t to be taken lightly - The Terracotta Army in Xi’an, the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and the Forbidden City in Beijing would definitely refresh your old soul ❤

How To Apply For A Chinese Tourist Visa With Your Philippine Passport

Philippine Passport Holders need a China Tourist Visa if you want to go here. However, if you are going to specific regions, you can go without a visa. It’s pretty straightforward, so please read our guide to get yours.

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QUICK FACTS ABOUT CHINA TOURIST VISA

Validity: 3, 6, or 12 months

Number of Entries: Single, Double, Multiple

Processing Time: 4 working days

Embassy: Embassy of the People's Republic of China
Address: 2nd & 3rd Floor, the World Center, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila
Phone: 0063-2-8482386
Email: phchinaembassy@hotmail.com
Website: china-embassy.org

Consular Office: Chinese Consulate General in Cebu City, Philippines
Address: 7th Floor, Mandarin Plaza Hotel, Archbishop Reyes Avenue Corner Escario Street, Cebu City
Phone: (+63) 32-505 1037
Email: consulate_cebu@mfa.gov.cn, cebu@mofcom.gov.cn, cebu.china-consulate.org

Consular Office: Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Laoag City, the Philippines
Address: No.216 National Highway, Brgy. 1, San Francisco, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte 2901
Phone: (63 77) 772-1874 / 670-6355

CHINA TOURIST VISA EXEMPTIONS

Arriving at Santa (SYX), visa-exempt of 30 days but must stay only in Hainan Province. They must be in the stamped name list or invitation letter from a registered tourist agent of Hainan Province or a confirmed hotel reservation and onward ticket
Arriving at Haikou (HAK), visa-exempt of 30 days. They must be in the stamped name list or invitation letter from a registered tourist agent of Hainan Province
Arriving at Guilin (KWL), visa-exempt of 6 days. The holder must be part of a tourist group (no solo) and the tour is organized by a registered travel agent.
Traveling in a group organized by a Chinese tour operator, visa-exempt for 6 days. The holder must have a flight from Hong Kong or Macau and going to Zhujiang Delta (Guangdong) and is off to Dongguan (DGM), Guangzhou (CAN), Huizhou (HUZ), Shantou (SWA), Shenzhen (SZX) or Zhuhai (ZUH)
Going to Hong Kong (SAR), visa-exempt for 14 days
Going to Macao (SAR), visa-exempt for 30 days

PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS FOR CHINA TOURIST VISA

1. Original passport - valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's bio-page and emergency contact page, include old visa if applicable;

2. Visa Application Form - which should be legibly and truthfully filled out. It must be filled up in capital letters. Do not leave anything blank. Write N/A if the item is not applicable to you; and

3. 2 colored ID photos - must comply with the required photo specifications.

4. Visa Fee

Single Entry - Php 1400
Double Entry - Php 2100
Multiple Entry valid for 6 months - Php 2800
Multiple Entry valid for 1 year - Php 4200

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR CHINA TOURIST VISA

Supporting documents are those which prove your financial capacity to travel and to stay at the People’s Republic of China and those which show your intent to go back to the Philippines.

1. For First Time Chinese Visa Applicant

Bank Certificate - also bank statement for 6 months with receipt
BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form
Certificate of Employment - with salary and the length of employment
Business Registration Certificate - if the owner
Professional ID/Student ID (if applicable)
Other relevant documents proving the condition of the applicant or letter explaining the travel purpose (if applicable).

2. With Previous Chinese Visa

Photocopy of the visa
if the visa is on your old passport; submit the old passport

3. Tourists

Travel itinerary
Reservation of round-trip airline ticket
Hotel Reservation
Invitation Letter with a copy of the inviter's Chinese ID, Passport or Chinese Residence Permit (if applicable)

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: APPLYING FOR CHINA TOURIST VISA

1. Fill out the application form;

2. Complete ALL the requirements;

3. Submit it to the Embassy or Consulate of the People's Republic of China or through a travel agency. No need for an appointment;

4. Wait for the release of your passport and pray you’ll get it!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHINEA TOURIST VISA

1. How much is the tourist visa processing fee for China?

It depends.

Single Entry - Php 1400
Double Entry - Php 2100
Multiple Entry valid for 6 months - Php 2800
Multiple Entry valid for 1 year - Php 4200

2. How long is the processing time?

The regular processing time is 4 working days.

Express (3 days) - Php 1100
Rush (2 days) - Php 1700

Do note that the rush service is not applicable for first-time applicants.

3. When should I apply?

You can apply 2 or 3 weeks before your departure date.

4. Do I need to have a ‘show money’?

Definitely, as they are asking for a bank certificate. However, it is not clear how much it should be in your account. I think it really depends on the number of days you’re traveling. Make sure you have enough to cover all day-to-day expenses, flights, and hotels. (e.g. If you’re traveling for 15 days, you can’t just have 20,000 in your bank account).

5. What if my visa gets denied?

Visa denial for China is very rare and it is not clear on what the remedy is. But definitely, you can always reapply.

6. Can somebody else submit my visa application for me?

Yes! Just make sure all your requirements are complete.

7. Is there an interview?

None, unless the consular officer has some questions with your requirements.

8. Do I need a visa to travel to Hong Kong and Macau?

Hong Kong and Macau are considered as Special Administrative Region of China. With your Philippines Passport, you can visit Hong Kong up to 14 days and Macau up to 30 days without the need of a visa.

9. What if I do not have an ITR?

This is very hard, especially if you’re of age. I’m telling you, pay your taxes because it’s very important. Anyway, you can provide information on why you don’t have an ITR, provide payslips/certificate of employment or explain that someone is going to finance for your travel. You can then submit their financial documents.

10. Do I need to have travel insurance?

It is not mandatory but I always recommend getting one for your trip. You’ll never know what will happen along the road so getting one is a MUST for me. Better safe than sorry :)

11. Is it advisable to avail of the services of a tour agency?

For me, it doesn’t make any difference if you avail of their services. I got ALL my visas without their assistance. I did it all by myself! Aside from being very expensive, it doesn’t guarantee approval.

12. What if I’m out of the country, how can I apply?

You can let a travel agency help you with the process. However, if you won’t, I suggest going to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate in the country you are in.

Here’s my final advice: Traveling around China could be pretty difficult due to the language barrier. Shall we start practicing mandarin now? ❤

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Please do note that the Visa Application Tips that I am posting are all for free. But if you need a little more assistance, I can give you a one-on-one travel coaching for a minimal fee - it’s a lot cheaper than getting it through a travel agency. Together, we can go through your documents, fill in what’s missing, practice for the interview, and work together for you to get that visa!