Requirements for China Visa Application
（As of 3 April 2026）
China Online Visa Processing System will be officially launched on October 13th, 2025. Applicants could enjoy convenience of filling out the form and uploading materials online. After passing the online review, you can then proceed to the Chinese Consulate in Cebu to submit your materials (applicants for diplomatic, official, and courtesy visas should still submit the documents to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines when the online review is approved).
Important Notice:To further facilitate visa applicants, starting from April 6, 2026, the types of physical materials required for offline submission will be reduced. Specific requirements are detailed below.（Applications submitted online before April 6th still require the submission of all uploaded paper materials offline as per the original requirements.）
SECTION I: Application Procedures
After the launch of the online visa application, the visa application process will be as follows:
STEP 1: ONLINE SUBMISSION
This website is for those who are going to apply for a Chinese Visa in CEBU.
Please make sure you have chosen the correct location.
1. Visit the China Online Visa Application Website (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA), register an account（Currently only email registration is supported）. After completing registration, you may log in at any time to submit applications and check progress. Each account can be used to submit applications for multiple individuals with no limit on the number of people. Each person receives one application with a unique number.
2. On the homepage, click “Start My Application”, select Philippines, CEBU
3. Complete the Online Visa Application Form
4. Upload the visa application requirements, including passports, photo, previous Chinese visa (if applicable), required supporting documents
5. Click submit button
6. Wait for the preliminary check and online approval. (Only after approved online should the passport and supporting documents be submitted at the Consulate)
STEP 2: FOLLOW UP ONLINE
Please log in to your account promptly to check the “Track the status of my application” section and take corresponding actions based on the application status.
1.Ensure you have selected the correct form submission date; otherwise, the system will display “No Data.”
2.If supplementary documents or corrections are required, the system will notify you with messages such as “Supplementary Materials to be provided” or “Rejected and to be modified”.
3.When the status changes to “Passport to be Submitted”, applicants should submit the following physical documents in person (you may also entrust someone else or an agency to submit the application on your behalf):
STEP 3: OFFLINE SUBMISSION AT THE CHINESE CONSULATE IN CEBU
The applicant or authorized representative shall submit the following physical documents to the Consulate General for re-examination:
1. Submission at the Consulate
（1）Printed screenshot of application page with barcode (as shown below）
（2）Original Passport;
（3）Other required physical documents requested by the Consulate (please refer to II. Required Documents)
Important Reminder:
（1）Submit within 30 days, or application will be canceled
（2）Additional documents or interview may be required
（3）Fingerprints are waived for short-term visas (≤180 days)
（4）Certain visa types (D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, Z) still require fingerprints
（5）Applicants must appear in person if fingerprints are required
（6）It is strongly recommended that you plan your trip in advance and submit your visa application online at least two weeks ahead.
2.PAYMENT
Once you submit your passport and documents in the Consulate, the Visa Officer will give you a pick-up form and instructionson how to pay for the Visa Fees. (Please keep the payment slip securely, as you will need it to collect your visa later)
STEP 4: COLLECT VISA OR RETURNED PASSPORT
When the status changes to “Passport to be Collected” the applicant or their authorized representative must present the Pick-up Form and original bank payment slip at the consulate to collect the visa.
When the status changes to “Review Failed” , the applicant or their authorized representative can retrieve the returned passport.
SECTION II: VISA CATEGORIES AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Visa categories and documents required
Category | Document Requirements | Submission Method | ||
Upload | Physical Submission | |||
Basic application materials for Category A | Passport (valid for at least 6 months with at least 3 blank visa pages) | Upload required | Submission Required | |
One photo (taken within 6 months, front-facing, no head covering, color, 48mm × 33mm) | Upload required | Not required if successfully uploaded | ||
All previous Chinese visa | Upload required applicants who have previously held a Chinese visa or residence permit | Not required | ||
Applicants under 18 must provide: 1. Birth certificate (with parents’ information) copy Parents’ passport copies 2. Consent letter from non-accompanying parent(s)
If parents are non-Filipino: valid visa/residence/work/study permits in the Philippines (original + copy)
For children of Chinese-Filipino marriages applying for the first time: proof of Chinese parent’s residence/visa status at time of birth | Upload Required | Submission Required (Original PSA Birth Certificate Required for the first time applicant) | ||
Original Chinese passport (applicable to those who previously held Chinese citizenship but later acquired foreign citizenship) | If you previously held Chinese citizenship and this is your first Chinese visa application after acquiring foreign citizenship, you need to upload | Submission Required (Original Chinese passport) | ||
Proof of legal stay and residence in the Philippines is required, along with photocopies of the Philippine visa and entry stamp in the passport.
Third-country citizens temporarily visiting the Philippines should obtain their Chinese visas in advance in their home country; applications from these individuals will not be accepted by this consulate. | Third-country citizens in the Philippines need to upload | Not Required | ||
Basic application materials for Category B | Tourist Visa (L) | Submit your travel itinerary, round-trip airfare and hotel bookings, or an invitation letter from an organization or individual in China and Chinese National ID of Invitor. | Upload Required | Not Required |
Business Visa ( M) | Invitation Letter issued by a business partner, or by the organizer of a competition or event in China | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Non-Commercial Visit/Exchange/study tours (F) | An invitation letter issued by the relevant entity or individual in China | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Work (Z) | Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners or Work Permit for Foreigners (English and Chinese Version) | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Long-term study more than 180 days(X1) | Submit the original and a copy of the admission notice issued by the university in China and the visa application form (JW-201 or JW-202) | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Short-term study more than 180 days(X2) | Submit the original and a copy of the admission notice issued by the university in China | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Family reunion more than 180 days to a relative who is a Chinese citizen residing in China, or family members of foreigners with Chinese permanent resident status , and for those who intend to enter and stay in China for the purpose of foster care(Q1) | An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China
| Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Front and back of the inviter's Chinese ID card or foreign passport and permanent residence permit | Upload Required | Submission Required | ||
Proof of kinship between the applicant and the inviter (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) | Upload Required | Submission Required (Original PSA Certificates) | ||
For those applying for entry due to foster care, a notarized and authenticated foster care authorization letter, the principal's passport, proof of kinship, a letter of consent from the foster care trustee and a copy of the trustee's ID card, and if both or one of the child's parents are Chinese citizens, a copy of the proof that the Chinese parents were settled abroad at the time of the child's birth is also required. | Upload Required | Submission Required (original copy) | ||
Short-term family visit no more than 180 days to a relative who is a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with Chinese permanent resident status residing in China(Q2) | 1. Invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreign citizen with permanent residency in China.
2. Front and back of the inviter's Chinese ID card or foreign passport and permanent residence permit | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Long-term family visit more than 180 days to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a spouse, parent, son or daughter under the age of 18, or parent-in-law, or long-term stay in China for other private affairs(S1) | 1. Invitation letter issued by a foreigner residing in China
| Upload Required | Submission Required | |
2. Passport and residence permit of the inviter | Upload Required | Submission Required | ||
3. Proof of kinship between the applicant and the inviter (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) | Upload Required | Submission Required (Original PSA Certificates) | ||
Short-term family visit no more than 180 days) to a foreigner working or studying in China, to whom the visitor is a family member, or short-term stay in China for other private affairs(S2) | For family visits: 1. An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China) 2. Inviter’s passport and residence permit 3. Certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter
For other private affairs: relevant documents as required
| Upload Required | Submission Required | |
High-level foreign talents or foreigners whose skills are urgently needed in China(R) | Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talents | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Foreign crew members(C) | A guarantee letter issued by a foreign transportation company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity in China. | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Permanent Residence (D) | Confirmation Form for Foreigner’s Permanent Resident Status | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Transit (G) | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date to the destination country or region | Upload Required | Not Required | |
Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China(J1) | The visa notification letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the official letter issued by the media outlet to which the journalist works. | Upload Required | Submission Required | |
Foreign journalists who intend to enter China for short-term news coverage(J2) | Visa notification letter from the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or relevant authorities, and an official letter from the media outlet to which the journalist works. | Upload Required | Submission 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 Applicants for L, M, and Q1 visas traveling to China：
– Please provide the following additional documents (no need to submit physical copies):
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);
(Note: If children, students, housewives, etc. are unable to provide Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance and BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form, they can provide Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance and BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form of their parents or spouses, and please also provide proof of relationship.)
2) 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.
3) 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.
4) Visit Xizang(Tibet) – You may join a tourist group organized by Authorized Travel Agency. If you plan to visit Xizang individually, you may contact the Tourism Administration of the Xizang Autonomous Region (Tel: 0086-891-6834313; Fax: 0086-891-6834632) in advance and provide a Visa Notification issued by it.
5) 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.
6) 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.
SECTION III: Visa Application Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time
Preliminary Review:
The processing time for the online preliminary review depends on the volume of visa applications. Applicants are advised to plan their travel accordingly and submit their applications at least two weeks in advance.
Final Review:
The processing time is counted from the date the passport is submitted in person at the Consulate.
1) Regular processing time is 4 working days
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.
Attention: During the review process, Consular Officials may find that there are doubts about the application materials that require further verification, which may result in an extension of the processing time, even if you have applied for express or rush services and paid the fees.
For visa type M, F, X1, X2，Z, and first-time applicants express or rush service is not available. Please apply in advance.
SECTION IV: Other Important Information
1) The application materials must be authentic and complete. The Consulate General will verify the authenticity of the applicant's materials through various channels. Those who forge or incomplete materials will be rejected and will affect future applications.
2) Please be polite during on-site processing. Any language or behavior that offends the staff of the Consulate General may result in visa rejection and affect future applications.
3) 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.
4) Please pay the prescribed fees at the bank. Applicants who overpay will be held responsible by themselves. Regardless of whether your visa is obtained or not, the visa application fee must be paid.
5) According to the relevant Chinese law and regulation, the consular officer is not required to give reasons for refusing the issuance of a visa.
6) Please check the visa after obtaining it. Should there be any discrepancy, contact the Visa Office immediately.
SECTION V: Contact us
Address of the Consular Section: 25th Floor, Mandarin Plaza Hotel, Archbishop Reyes Avenue Corner Escario Street, Cebu City.
Opening Hours: 9AM to 11AM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Email: cebu@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Tel: 032-5051035 or 032-5051040 ( 9AM-11AM&3PM-5PM, Monday to Friday)