Frequently
Asked Questions on Applying for
a
Chinese Visa
(Updated,
14 March 2023)
Question 1: What is the difference
for ordinary passport holder applying Chinese Visa before and after the
pandemic?
Answer: Besides visa application form,
photo, invitation letter, previous China visa record, there are two more new
requirements for ordinary passport holder applying for Chinese Visa: firstly,
applicants need to fill out the visa application form online and make an
appointment online; secondly, applicants need to submit the application in
person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center(CVASC) in
Kuching(hereinafter referred to as the Centre) for fingerprint collection.
The Consulate General of the People’s
Republic of China in Kuching launched the online form filling and online
appointment application system. Visa applicants (except Hong Kong and Macao SAR
visa applicants) need to log on to the Chinese Visa Application online form
website to fill in the visa application form and log on to the online
appointment website to make an appointment for the submission of documents. The
appointment information must match the applicant's information. The specific
websites are as follows:
Online form: https://cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn
Online Appointment: https://avas.cs.mfa.gov.cn
Applicants can also complete the online
form and make online appointment through the "Quick Access" section
of the Visa Application Centre's website. The website address of the Visa
Application Centre is:http://www.visaforchina.cn/KCH2_ZH/
Question 2: After completing the
online application form and online appointment, is it necessary to submit the
application at the Centre?
Answer: Yes. After making the online
appointment. please print out the confirmation page and the complete form (8
pages in total, preferable double sided), and sign the confirmation page and
item 9 of the form, and submit the application in person with all the required
documents (please refer to the Notice on the Latest Requirements for Visa
Applications for Foreigners to China, updated on 14 March 2023) at the
Centre at the appointment time and retain ten fingerprints.
Please make sure that you arrive at the
Centre on time. Upon arrival, please present your reservation slip and obtain a
queue number. When your number has been called, please submit your application
at the respective counter.The Centre address:2nd Floor, 2 ½ Miles, Wisma
Naim, Rock Road, 93200, Kuching, Sarawak.
Question 3: After completing the
online form and making an appointment online, can I appoint someone else to
submit the visa application documents for me at the Centre?
Answer: Applicants must present personally
to submit the visa application at the Centre on time and retain 10
fingerprints. Applicants who are exempted from fingerprint may entrust another
person to submit the visa application.
The applicant must be physically in
Malaysia at the time of submission of the visa application documents. If you
are not in Malaysia then, please submit your application to the Chinese Embassy
or Consulate-General or visa application centre in the country where you are
currently staying, or apply after you return to Malaysia.
Question 4: How applicant may be
exempted from fingerprint collection?
Answer: The following applicants are
exempted from fingerprints collection: Applicants under the age of 14 or over
70; Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for Diplomatic,Service and
Courtesy visas; Applicants who already had
their fingerprints collected within
the past five years at the Consulate General of the People’s
Republic of China in Kuching or the CVASC in Kuching with the
same passport; Applicants with all fingers uncollectible.
Question 5: What are the requirements
for visa invitation letter?
Answer: 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 invitation letter should contain:
1. Information of the applicant (full
name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
2. Information of the visit (purpose of
visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration
of stay, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the
inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
3. Information of the inviting individual
(name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of legal
representative or the inviting individual, etc.)
The content of the invitation letter needs
to be true and valid, and there should be no missing items, otherwise the
applicant will bear all the responsibilities caused by the return or rejection
of the application.
Question 6: How long is the
processing time after successfully submitting all the application documents
(how long in advance should I submit the visa application)?
Answer: Under normal circumstances, the
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching can process the
visa within 4 working days (in case of holidays, the processing time will be
postponed). For special cases, the Consulate General has the right to extend
the processing time of the visa (if it exceeds 4 working days, please e-mail
the Centre for inquiries). It is suggested that applicants fill in the form
online and make an appointment to submit the visa application online about one
month before the intended date of entry. If there is no urgent or special
reason to go to China recently, it is recommended to avoid the current peak of
visa applications and arrange the application time appropriately.
Question 7: Is expedited service
available for visa application?
Answer: After the visa application
materials are successfully submitted, the visa processing time is: 4 working
days for regular applications, 3 working days for express applications, and 2
working days for urgent applications (in case of holidays, the processing time
will be postponed). If you require expedited service, please inform the front
desk staff at the Centre when submitting your visa and pay an additional
expedited fee.
Question 8: If I have an urgent
affair to travel to China, can I apply before the appointed submission time?
Answer: You can send an e-mail to the
consultation mailbox (kuchingcenter@visaforchina.org) of the Centre, explain
the situation, attach corresponding supporting materials and Visa Appointment
Confirmation Form to the email. The Centre will reply in time after a
comprehensive assessment of the recent visa application volume.
Question 9: What is the visa
procedures upon arriving at the visa centre?
Answer: Before proceeding to the Centre,
please make sure that you have all the required visa application documents
ready (please refer to the Notice on the Latest Requirements for Visa
Applications for Foreigners to China, updated on 14 March 2023). Arrive at the
Centre on time for your appointment and follow the steps below to complete your
visa application:
1. Preliminary review: Show the
appointment form, visa application form, original passport, copy of passport
information page and other application materials to the information counter
staff.
2. Obtain a queue number: After capturing
photo on the spot, scanning passport information, kindly obtain the queue
number at the information counter.
3. Submission: Submit the application to
the application counter (according to the regulations, the Centre will collect
the applicant's ten fingerprints on the spot. If an interview is required, the
Centre will contact the applicant. Please proceed to the Consulate General for
the interview at the designated time slot. After the application is accepted,
the counter staff will issue a Payment Notice to be paid at the cashier
counter.
4. Payment: After submitting the
application, you need to pay the visa fee and service fee in full amount on the
same day (bank card or cash payment), and will receive a pick-up form and a
Receipt. If the applicant fails to pay the full amount, the Centre will
terminate the application and the consequences thereof shall be borne by the
applicant.
5. Collection: Please keep the pick-up
form properly, and collect the passport on the appointed collection date in
person or entrust a third party to collect your passport with the original
pick-up form.
Question 10: Is payment to be done
upon submission or collection?
Answer: Payment shall be made upon
submission. After the visa application documents are successfully submitted,
the applicant will pay the fee at the cashier counter with the Payment Notice.
The fee includes the visa fee (express fee, if any) charged on behalf of the
Consulate General and the service fee charged by the Centre. If the visa
application is not approved by the Consulate General, or is refused, or
changed, the service fee will not be refunded.
Question 11: How to check the visa
application status after submission?
Answer: The Visa Application Centre
website provides 24-hour online visa application status service. You can check
in the "Quick Access" section under "Status" on the Visa
Application Centre website.
Question 12: Can I cancel my
submitted visa application?
Answer: Yes. Please note that in case of
cancellation of visa application, the service fee paid will not be refunded.
Question 13: What are working hours,
address, telephone number and e-mail address of the Centre? What should I do if
the consultation number cannot be reached?
Answer: the Centre working hours (working
days):
Submission of applications: 9:00 - 15:00.
Submission of express applications: 9:00 -
10:00.
Collection: 9:00 -16:00.
Address: 2nd Floor, 2 ½ Miles, Wisma
Naim, Rock Road, 93200, Kuching, Sarawak.
Call: 082-259885 (Weekdays 09:00am-16:00
pm)
Email: kuchingcenter@visaforchina.org
Due to the high volume of telephone
service on weekdays, if you fail to reach, it is recommended that you make
enquiry via e-mail.
Question 14: Is tourist visa open for
application:
Answer: the Consulate General of the
People’s Republic of China in Kuching resumed the issuance of tourist visas
from 15 March 2023.
Question 15: How to understand
"resuming the entry function of visas issued before 28 March 2020 which
are still valid for entry"?
Answer: According to policy adjustments
effective on 15 March 2020, if you hold a Chinese Visa issued before 28 March
2023 which is still valid, you may enter China without re-applying for a new
one. If the visa has expired, kindly apply for a new one.
Question 16: Does an APEC card holder
require to apply for a visa? Is it required to proceed to the Embassy to
complete any formalities?
Answer: Since 24 August 2022, traveler
with a valid APEC Business Travel Card physical card was allowed to enter
China, and does not need to re-apply for visas to China or go through
procedures at the Consulate General. The Consulate General does not accept APEC
card applications, please consult relevant government departments in Malaysia
for details.
Question 17: Is multiple-entry visa
applicable for Sarawak citizens?
Answer: Yes. Besides passport, application
form, photo, invitation letter and other visa application materials, Sarawak
citizens applying for multiple-entry visas are also required to provide the
previous record of Chinese visa issued or the record of corresponding number of
visits to China:
1. L-visa (Tourist visa)
(1) 3-month multiple entry L-visa:
Itinerary issued by the cruise company.
(2) 1-year multiple entry L-visa: Detailed
travel itinerary and corresponding irrevocable air ticket, hotel booking and
photocopies of previous Chinese visas and previous records of travelling to
China.
2. M-visa (Commercial Trade Activities)
(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry
M-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.
(2) 2-year multiple entry M-Visa:
A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or
photocopies of previous 3 times entry records or more within 5 years.
(3) 3-year multiple entry M-Visa:
A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entries Chinese visa within 5 years; or
photocopy of previous 2 visa granted for 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa
within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 5 entries records or more within
5 years.
3. Q2-visa (Family visit visa)
(1) 6-month to 2-year multiple entry
Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa issued within 5 years.
(2) 3-year to 5-year multiple entry
Q2-Visa: A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or
photocopy of previous 2 visas or more issued for 1-year multiple entries
Chinese visa.
4. S2-Visa (Personal matters visa)
For visiting family members for a short
period, you may apply for a multiple entry S2-visa with the validity period of
not exceeding the validity period of the inviting individual's residence
permit.
For private affairs such as inheritance,
litigation, having real estate in China, etc.:
(1) 6-month to 1-year multiple entry
S2-Visa: A photocopy of previous Chinese visa within 5 years.
(2) 2-year multiple entry S2-Visa:
A photocopy of previous 6-month to 1-year multiple entries Chinese visa; or
photocopy of previous 3 entries records or more to China within 5 years.
(3) 3-year multiple entry S2-Visa:
A photocopy of previous 2-year multiple entry Chinese visa within 5 years; or
photocopies of previous 1-year multiple entry Chinese visa for more than 2
times within 5 years; or photocopy of previous 5 entry records or more to China
within 5 years.
Question 18: Can foreign nationals
from third countries who come to Malaysia temporarily apply for multiple visas?
Answer: Unless otherwise specified in
bilateral agreements, foreign nationals of third countries who come to Malaysia
temporarily can only apply for a single-entry visa.
Question 19: How to consult the
visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, port visa, visa-free entry into Hainan,
visa-free for cruise ships in Shanghai, visa-free entry to Guangdong for
foreigners from Hong Kong and Macao, visa-free entry into Guilin, Guangxi for
ASEAN tour groups?
Answer: For details, please visit the
website of the National Immigration Administration of China or use the service
telephone consultation (https://www.nia.gov.cn/) of the provincial immigration
management offices.
Question 20: How to apply for a visa
to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR?
Answer: Malaysian passport holders who
visit Hong Kong SAR for less than 90 days are exempted from applying for visas;
Malaysian passport holders can travel to Macau SAR without a visa and the
duration of stay is determined by the Public Security Police Force of the Macao
SAR. If the purpose of the visit is for residence, work, study, receive
vocational training, performing, holding exhibitions, etc., you need to apply
for a visa in advance. For details, please visit the website of the Immigration
Department of the Hong Kong SAR: www.immd.gov.hk; Consultation telephone:
0085228246111; Website of the Public Security Police Force of the Macao SAR:
http://www.fsm.gov.mo/; Hotline: 0085328725488.
If you need to apply for a visa to the
Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR, you can submit application materials to the Visa
Application Center. In accordance with relevant provisions of the Basic Law of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Basic Law of the Macau
Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macau SAR have the
rights to carry out immigration control on their own. The final issuance of a
visa is at the discretion of the Embassy or the SAR Government, and the Visa
Application Centre is not involved in the approval process. Visa Application
Centre will charge visa fees, urgent fees, Hong Kong and Macau visa liaison
fees (if any), and service fees. The above service fee is non-refundable regardless
of visa approval or not.
Question 21: After obtaining a visa,
do I need to take a nucleic acid test before boarding? Do I still need to apply
for a health code? Do I still need to take centralized quarantine after
entering China?
Answer: From 1 March 2023, people on
direct flights from Malaysia to China can take antigen tests (including
self-tests with kits) instead of nucleic acid tests. If the result is negative,
you do not need to apply for a health code from the Consulate General. You
should just fill in the "People's Republic of China Exit/Entry Health
Declaration Card" through the WeChat mini program "Customs Passenger
Fingertip Service", the Pocket Customs APP or the web version
(https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn).
After arriving at the port, please
complete necessary customs clearance procedures with the customs health
declaration code. Customs will conduct sampling tests according to a certain
proportion and test people with abnormal health declarations or symptoms such
as fever. Those with positive test results shall be quarantined at home or in
residence or seek medical treatment in accordance with the requirements of the
notice. If the result is negative, the Customs will carry out routine
quarantine in accordance with the "Border Health Quarantine Law" and
other laws and regulations. Those whose health declaration is normal and there
is no abnormality in routine quarantine at the port may enter China with no
health related requirements .