From 10 May 2021, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines will start the online visa application system and appointment system: 1, All visa applicants are required to fill in the online application form on the website of China Online Visa Application (COVA): https://cova.mfa.gov.cn. After completion, please print out the online application forms and sign the confirmation page, which shall be brought along with other visa application documents to our consular office.   2, Ordinary passport holders are required to book appointments on the website of Appointment for Visa Application Submission (AVAS): https://avas.mfa.gov.cn and submit the applications to our consular office on the date of appointment. The Embassy will cease accepting applications without appointments.  Diplomatic, official passport holders could complete and print out the online application forms and make appointments via email in advance.  

Starting from 17 September 2021, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines will collect 10 fingerprints of all applicants and issue biometric visas accordingly. Please be noted that visa applicants applying for Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions of China are not included. From 17 September, when completing visa application forms and making online appointments, applicants will be kindly requested to submit all required application documents  to the Embassy in person and have their fingerprints collected. The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprints collection:

1. Applicants under the age of 14 or over 70; 2. Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, official and courtesy visas;  3. Applicants who already had their fingerprints collected within the past five years at the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines with the same passport；4. Applicants who suffer from 10 fingers mutilation or whose fingerprints cannot be collected. The Chinese Embassy kindly request that applicants shall have their fingerprints collected in person. Those forge fingerprints or use other people's fingerprints will be denied entry into China and bear all the consequences incurred.

Basic requirements

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page. The previous old passport, if available, is required to be submitted.

2) Visa Application Form – Please fill in the online application form on the website of China Online Visa Application (COVA): https://cova.mfa.gov.cn. After completion, please print out the online application forms and sign the confirmation page, which shall be brought along with other visa application documents to our consular office in person. Application form of minors must be signed by their parents or legal guardians.

3) Photo – Please provide 2 color photos. The photo should be recent(within 6 months), front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. (Specific photo requirements, please click here. )  Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.

4)Ordinary passport holders are required to book appointments on the website of Appointment for Visa Application Submission (AVAS): https://avas.mfa.gov.cn and submit the applications to our consular office on the date of appointment. The Embassy will cease accepting applications without appointments. Diplomatic, official passport holders could complete and print out the online application forms and make appointments via email in advance.  (Kindly reminder: During the epidemic, please email for consultation firstly).

5) Mail applications will not be accepted.

6) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

Visa categories and documents required

*Remarks of the Invitation Letter

The above mentioned invitation letter must contain the following information: 

1) Information on the applicant : full name, gender, date of birth, etc.
2) Information on the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.
3) Information on the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.

The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.

The proofs of kinship refers to marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Chinese Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship.

Additional requirements

1) First Time Chinese Visa Applicant – Please provide the following additional documents:

A) Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance(including the past 6 months bank statement) and the receipt for payment of this certificate;

B) BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form;

C) Certificate of Employment(detailing the salary and the length of employment );

D) Business Registration Certificate(if you are the owner);

E) Professional ID/Student ID (if applicable);

F) Other relevant documents proving the applicant's economic condition/ employment/study, or supporting the applicant's travel to China, or explaining the travel purpose (if applicable);  

2)Previous Chinese Visa – If you had obtained a Chinese visa before, you should submit a photocopy of the visa, and if the visa is on your old passport, you should also submit the old passport.

3) Non-Filipino Nationals – Please submit proof of residence permit, employment or study in the Philippines. Temporary visitors to the Philippines should apply for Chinese visas from the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in the countries in which they live, unless the applicant can provide proof of employment/study or other occupational status and the visa officer will make the final decision on a case-by-case basis. You must also submit a photocopy of the Philippine visa/immigration entry stamp on your passport.

4) Certificate of Name Change – If the name in the new passport is different from that in the original one, the official document (birth certificate/marriage contract) issued by authorities for name change must be submitted.

5) Original Chinese Passport – First-time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, or who was born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), need to submit the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page, and extension page (if applicable). You do not need to submit income tax return form and bank statement.

6) Visit Tibet – You may join a tourist group organized by Authorized Travel Agency. If you plan to visit Tibet individually, you may contact the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region (Tel: 0086-891-6834313; Fax: 0086-891-6834632) in advance and provide a Visa Notification issued by it.

7) Applicants applying for special tour to China (hiking, cycling, horse-riding, hot air balloon, or other expeditions) should provide an original of Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by Authorized Travel Agency.

Authorized Travel Agency refers to:

a) Tourism administration bureau of Chinese province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

b) CITS Group Corporation, CITS Head Office, CTS Head Office, CYTS, etc.

8) Seafarers from the Philippine shipping companies to join vessels in ports in China and stay in China for less than 10 days, should submit Letter of Guarantee from employers, and the original and copy of Seafarer's Registration Certificate, and should apply for "G" visa. Those who would stay in China for more than 10 days should also submit invitation letters from China, and should apply for "M" visa.

9) American passport holders may apply 10 years multiple entries L/M/Q2/S2 Visa, or 5 years multiple entries X1 Visa, only if his/her passport is valid over 1 year from the date of application.

Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

1) Regular processing time is 4 working days.(for example, apply on Monday and pick up on Thursday.)

2) Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

3) Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

4) Express and Rush service is not available to the First time Chinese visa applicant/ X1, X2 and Z visa applicant, please apply in advance.

5) Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

6) Only cash payment is accepted.

Other Important Information

1) The application materials must be authentic and complete. Forged and incomplete applications will be denied.

2) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

3) According to the relevant Chinese law and regulation, the consular officer is not required to give reasons for refusing the issuance of a visa.

4) Please check the visa after obtaining it. Should there be any discrepancy, contact the Visa Office immediately.

**Meaning of terms of Chinese Visa:

The number of entries specified in the visa means the number of times that the visa holder may enter China within the validity period of the entry specified in the visa;

The validity period of the entry specified in the visa means the valid period of time during which the visa holder may enter China. Unless otherwise specified by the issuing authority, a visa is valid from the date of issuance until Beijing time 24:00 on the expiring day;

The duration of stay specified in the visa means the period of time during which the visa holder is allowed to stay in China after each entry. It begins from the next day of entry.