Is there a visa on arrival for China? What a port visa is

A port visa is a way of applying for a visa at a designated port in China, not a separate kind of visa. The National Immigration Administration says it is open to foreign nationals with ordinary passports who have urgent needs to enter China and do not have enough time to apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.

What a port visa is

The administration's Q&A on port visas, question I, says: "China's port visas are similar to the 'visas on arrival' of some other countries. The term refers to a 'way' or 'method' to apply for visas, rather than a specific type of visa like 'business visa' or 'tourist visa'."

So the port visa answers the question of how you apply. The purpose of your trip still determines which visa class fits.

Who may apply

The same answer says: "foreign nationals holding ordinary passports, who have urgent needs to enter China but do not have enough time to apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad, can apply for port visas for entry."

How to apply

There are two routes. The administration's Q&A says: "Foreign nationals applying for port visas can submit applications in advance to the port visa authorities by themselves or through inviting parties, or apply on site upon arrival at ports in China."

The administration recommends applying in advance. It says: "it is recommended that foreign nationals submit their applications in advance to the port visa authorities in the intended destinations, obtain preliminary approval from the port visa authorities, and then go to the corresponding ports for applying for visas."

For foreign tourist groups, the same answer says: "the Chinese travel agencies responsible for the reception should apply for them in advance at the port visa authorities."

Ports

As of 26 February 2024, the date printed on the administration's bilingual Q&A page, the page states that "port visa services have been provided at 99 ports in 73 cities nationwide." The Q&A gives no list of the ports. It refers readers to the administration's website for the major port visa authorities and their contact details.

We checked this page on 11 October 2026. Confirm the current number of ports and cities on the official page before you travel.

Urgent situations that qualify

The administration's Q&A, question II, states the qualifying situations. Under its answer, a foreign ordinary passport holder may apply for a port visa if they have an urgent need to travel to China for:

• business cooperation;
• visits and exchanges;
• investment and entrepreneurship;
• visiting relatives and handling private affairs, or similar matters;
• humanitarian reasons, such as attending a funeral or visiting a critically ill patient;

and they cannot obtain a visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad in time.

The answer says such a person "can apply for a port visa at a port visa authority in China."

What the Exit and Entry Administration Law says

The English text published by the National Immigration Administration gives the legal basis. Law, Article 20 has four paragraphs, and each one sets a separate rule.

First, Law, Article 20 says: "Foreigners who need to enter China urgently for humanitarian reasons, or are invited to enter China for urgent business or rush repair work, or have other urgent needs, and hold materials that prove the competent departments' approval of their applying for visas at port, may apply for port visas with the visa-issuing authorities entrusted by the Ministry of Public Security at the ports (hereinafter referred to as 'port visa authorities') which are approved to issue port visas by the State Council."

Second, Law, Article 20 says: "Travel agencies that organize inbound tourism in accordance with relevant State regulations may apply for group tourist visas from port visa authorities."

Third, Law, Article 20 says: "Foreigners who apply to port visa authorities for visas shall submit their passports or other international travel documents, as well as relevant information of specific application matters. They shall go through relevant formalities in accordance with the requirements of the port visa authorities, and enter China at the ports where they apply for visas."

Fourth, Law, Article 20 says: "Visas issued by port visa authorities shall be single entry and the duration of stay shall not exceed 30 days."

Read together with the third paragraph, the port you apply at is the port you enter through. Read the fourth paragraph as a separate rule: a port visa is single entry, and the stay may not exceed 30 days.

Sources

• Q&A on China's port visas (National Immigration Administration)
• Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (National Immigration Administration, English text)

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre. It is not legal or immigration advice. If the official text differs from this summary, the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail.