Frequently asked questions

According to the identity of the foreign applicant, motive of the travel to China, and with reference to the type of the passport hold by the applicant, a Diplomatic/Courtesy/Service/Ordinary visa will be issued to the applicant.

2: Should I apply for a visa to visit the mainland China?

A: Foreigners including South African citizens to visit China are generally required to apply for visas in advance, but ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan can gain access to China without applying for visas for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, or transit. They can enter and exit from the ports that are open to foreigners.

3. Where can I apply for a visa?

A: For entry into China, foreigners shall apply for visas from Chinese Embassies or Consulates. Chinese Embassies or Consulates usually provide rush or express visa service, but an extra rush /express service fee should be paid in addition to the regular visa fee. Foreigners who are already in China can apply for an extension of duration of visa or re-entry visa at a local county level Public Security Bureau.

4.What kind of visa should I apply for?

A: Type of visa depends on the motive of the travel, type of the passport, etc. Type of visa and the duration of stay will be decided by the consul.

5. Can I apply for a visa at the port of entry?

A: Yes, South African citizens can apply visas at the port of entry in emergency cases, but they will be charged with an extra fee in addition to the regular visa fee.

6. What documents should I submit when I apply for a visa?

A: Visa applicants are generally required to submit: 1) One completely filled out Visa Application Form. 2) One recently taken 2*2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. 3) Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application. 4) Other documents in accordance with the type of visa you apply for (refer to relevant instructions please).

7. How far in advance before my planned trip to China should I apply for a visa?

A: Single entry visa is generally valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. Double entry visa is generally valid for 6 months. You are suggested to apply for the visa 1 month before your departure date. If you apply for the visa too late, you may not have enough time for the application. If you apply for the visa too early, the visa may become invalid before you depart for China. It's suggested to apply for the visa before buying the air tickets.

8. How long will the visa process take? Do you have express service?

A: If your application meets all requirements, you may pick up the visa on the fourth working day after you submit your application for regular service. For example, If you submit the application on Monday, you can pick up the visa on Thursday. But if Tuesday was holiday, then you could pick up the visa on Friday. If you need the visa to be issued urgently on the following working day, besides the normal visa fee, an extra R250 rush fee per visa will be charged. An extra R170 will be charged for the third working day collection.

9. Can I apply for the visa by mail or via email? Could you mail the visa back to me after I submit the application in person?

A. We do not accept any applications by mail or via email. Neither could we provide the service to mail your visa back. Visa applications should be submitted and picked up by the applicant or someone else entrusted, and any responsibilities aroused should be born by applicants.

10. I am far away from the Consulate General, how can I apply for the visa?

A: Applicants may entrust someone else (relative, friend or travel agent) to submit the application. The entrusted should appear in person.

The Consulate General does not suggest any agents for visa application. Please be noticed that the applicants should hold all responsibilities for their decisions.

11. Should I need an appointment for the application?

A: You don't need any appointment. You are welcome at the public opening hours of the Consulate General. The Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Cape Town opens every Monday to Friday, from 8:30 to 12:00, except public holidays.

12. What is Entries? What should I do if the entries permitted becomes invalid?

A: Entries means the number of entries permitted during the period the visa is valid.

Visas become invalid after the applicants fully use the Entries permitted. Entries permitted can not be added or changed. Applicants should apply for another visa after that. Visa becomes invalid if it goes beyond the date of Entry before even if there are some Entries left. Applicants should check if there are valid Entries permitted before they depart for China.

13. I am an South African citizen. I intend to visit Beijing and then Hong Kong for a short trip. After that I want to go back to Guangzhou. How many entries is suitable for my tour?

A: SA citizen does not need a visa to Hong Kong for a short trip less than 30 days. SA citizen should have a valid visa for the mainland China. From SA to Beijing is one entry, and from Hong Kong to Guangzhou is another entry. So you should apply for a double-entry visa. If you have got a single entry visa, you may need to change a double-entry visa by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-general where you applied or you can apply for another single entry visa at the Consular Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong.

14. What is "Enter Before"? What should I do if the visa becomes invalid?

A: "Enter Before" means that you should enter into China before the date printed on the visa if the visa has valid Entries permitted. Visas become invalid and cannot be extended after the date of "Enter Before" even if there are Entries left. You should apply for another visa. All visas come into effect on the date of issuance. Applicants should take all responsibility if they decided to change their journey causing the visas invalid. Applicants should check the "Enter Before" on their visas before they depart for China.

15. What is Duration of Each Stay ? What should I do if I want to stay in China longer than the duration?

A: Duration of Each Stay after Entry means the longest period the applicants are permitted to stay in China. Duration of Each Stay is counted from the date of entry. Applicants should apply for an extension of the duration at a local county level Public Security Bureau if they wish to stay in China longer than the Duration of Each Stay printed on the visa. Visa holders of type Z/J-1/D/X should apply for resident permit at a local Public Security Bureau no later than 30 days after they enter into China lest they become an illegal resident. Visa holders should frequently check the duration during the time they are in China.

16. Can I apply for renewal of my visa at the Consulate General?

A: Chinese visa cannot be renewed. Applicants should arrange their journeys before they apply for visas and fill out the application forms completely and truthfully. Applicants have the responsibility to check their visa when picking it up.

In case of visa expired, applicants should apply for a new visa.

17. What should foreigners bear in mind in China?

A: According to the Law of Foreigner's Entry and Exit of the People's Republic of China, foreigners should abide by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and are forbidden to conduct any activities unassociated with the motive of travel applied. Corresponding punishment will be executed for the abuse of the relative laws and regulations. Besides, foreign citizens should note the duration of stay of their own visa. If needed, the application for the extension of visa is required to be submitted to the local public security authority before the expiration of the duration of stay.