Chinese Visa Policy and Requirements for Citizens of Iran

1. Visa Types for Iranian Citizens

 

  • Tourist Visa (L Visa):
    • Validity: Typically 3 months (single/multiple entries).
    • Stay Duration: Up to 30 days (non-extendable).
    • Requirements:
      • Passport valid for ≥6 months.
      • Two recent passport-sized photos (white background; women must wear a headscarf).
      • Hotel reservation or invitation letter.
      • Round-trip flight itinerary.
      • Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements).
      • For employed applicants: Employer’s leave letter, 6-month bank statements, income tax returns.
      • For students: School enrollment letter and no-objection certificate.
  • Business Visa (M Visa):
    • Requires a Chinese invitation letter from a registered company/organization.
  • Work Visa (Z Visa):
    • Must obtain a work permit and invitation letter before applying.
  • Study Visa (X1/X2):
    • X1 for long-term study (JW201/JW202 form + admission letter).
    • X2 for short-term study (enrollment certificate).

2. Visa-Free Policies

 

  • Tourist Group Visa Waiver:
    • 15-Day Visa-Free Entry: Available for groups of ≥2 people organized by a Chinese travel agency, entering via designated ports (e.g., Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou).
  • Transit Visa Waivers:
    • 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit: All airports except Urumqi, Fuzhou, and Yanji.
    • 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Valid in 53 cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu), excluding the same three cities.

3. Application Process

 

  1. Online Application:
  2. Document Submission:
    • Submit documents to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in Iran or a visa center (e.g., VFS Global).
    • Include invitation letters (for business/study) or travel agency confirmation (for group tours).
  3. Fingerprint Collection: Required for applicants aged 14–70.
  4. Processing Time: 4–6 weeks; expedited services available for an extra fee.

4. Required Documents

 

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Passport, photos, hotel booking, flight itinerary, bank statements.
  • Business Visa:
    • Above + Chinese invitation letter.
  • Work/Study Visas:
    • Additional permits (e.g., work permit, JW201 form).

5. Fees

 

  • Tourist Visa: Approximately USD 120 (single entry).
  • Business Visa: USD 145 (single entry).
  • Transit Visas: Free if eligible.

6. Key Notes

 

  • Entry Requirements:
    • Passport must have ≥6 months validity and 2 blank pages.
    • Carry invitation letters, travel itineraries, and proof of funds for immigration checks.
  • Health: No COVID-19 testing/vaccination mandates (as of 2025).
  • Cultural Norms:
    • Follow local regulations, especially regarding photography and public behavior.
  • Policy Updates: Verify the latest rules via the Chinese Consular Service (http://cs.mfa.gov.cn).

 

Note: Always check entry requirements before travel, as policies may change. For urgent travel, consider applying for a tourist e-visa (if available) or 落地签 at select airports.

 

Chinese Embassy in Iran: