Start through the China Online Visa Processing System at bio.visaforchina.cn, then follow the CVASC Cairo/Alexandria instructions for submitting the passport and supporting materials.

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Egypt to China visa requirements

Q: How much does a China visa cost in Egypt?

For Egyptian passport holders using regular service at CVASC Cairo, current totals are LE 2,580 single entry, LE 2,770 double entry, LE 2,970 six-month multiple entry and LE 3,370 twelve-month multiple entry.

Q: How long does processing take?

The embassy lists Cairo regular collection on the fourth working day and Alexandria regular collection on the fifth working day. Cairo express service may collect on the third or second working day if accepted.

Q: Do tourist visa applicants need fingerprints?

Short-term visa applicants with a stay period under 180 days are exempt from fingerprint collection through 31 December 2026. Residence-category visas such as D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z still require fingerprints.

Q: Do I need an arrival card for China?

Yes unless exempt. Since 20 November 2025, foreign nationals may fill the NIA arrival card online before travel, through NIA 12367 or WeChat/Alipay mini programs, or at the port if not completed in advance.

Egyptian ordinary passport holders need a visa for mainland China. Apply online through China's visa processing system and submit through CVASC Cairo/Alexandria; diplomatic and service (special) passports are visa-free for 30 days. Egyptian ordinary passport holders need an appropriate Chinese visa before travelling to mainland China for tourism, business, study, work, family visits or other non-exempt purposes. The China National Immigration Administration's mutual visa-exemption list shows Egypt only for diplomatic passports and service (special) passports, effective 27 January 2007, with a 30-day visa-free stay; ordinary passports are not covered by that bilateral exemption. The Chinese Embassy in Egypt launched the China Online Visa Processing System on 17 April 2025 at bio.visaforchina.cn, and CVASC Cairo recommends submitting the online review application about 30 days before travel, then submitting the passport and materials at the center within 14 working days after online review approval. For a tourist L visa, the embassy asks for a passport valid at least six months with blank visa pages, a completed application form and photo, and itinerary documents such as round-trip ticket and hotel booking or an invitation letter. Reduced visa fees for Egyptian passport holders run through 31 December 2026: LE 400 single entry, LE 590 double entry, LE 790 six-month multiple entry and LE 1,190 twelve-month multiple entry, excluding the CVASC service fee. CVASC Cairo's regular service fee is LE 2,180, making regular totals LE 2,580 / 2,770 / 2,970 / 3,370 respectively. Cairo regular collection is on the fourth working day; Alexandria regular collection is on the fifth working day. Short-term visa applicants with stays under 180 days are exempt from fingerprint collection through 31 December 2026, while residence-category visas such as D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z still require fingerprints.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21

Visa type

Visa required (usually L for tourism)

Maximum stay

As printed on the issued visa

per entry

Entries

Single, double, 6-month multiple or 12-month multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

LE 2,580 regular total for single entry at CVASC Cairo

consular fee only

Processing time

Cairo regular: 4th working day; Alexandria regular: 5th working day

standard track

Validity

Consular officer decides validity, entries and duration of stay

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm visa category

Choose the correct Chinese visa type: L for tourism, M for commercial/trade activities, F for exchanges/visits, X for study, Z for work, Q/S for family or private affairs.

· pick category

/02

Check passport validity

Use an Egyptian passport valid for at least six months with blank visa pages and prepare copies of the passport data/photo page.

· 6+ months· blank pages

/03

Submit online review

Use bio.visaforchina.cn for the China Online Visa Processing System. CVASC Cairo recommends starting about 30 days before travel; after approval, submit at the center within 14 working days.

· bio.visaforchina.cn· 30 days before

/04

Prepare supporting documents

For an L tourist visa, prepare the completed form and compliant photo plus round-trip ticket and hotel reservation, or an invitation letter with applicant, itinerary and inviter details.

· ticket + hotel· or invitation

/05

Submit at CVASC

Follow the online review result and submit the passport and materials at CVASC Cairo or Alexandria. The consular officer may request extra documents or an interview.

· Cairo· Alexandria

/06

Pay and collect

Pay the visa fee and CVASC service fee in Egyptian pounds, then collect on the pickup date. Before entering China, complete the NIA arrival card online unless exempt.

· LE payment· arrival card

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Egypt -> China · Visa required (usually L for tourism)

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredEgyptian passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid at least 6 months with blank visa pages

RequiredOnline application / review approval

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Submitted through bio.visaforchina.cn / CVASC workflow

RequiredVisa photo

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

Recent passport-style color photo meeting Chinese visa photo rules

RequiredRound-trip ticket and hotel booking

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Required for L visa unless using an invitation letter

ConditionalInvitation letter, if applicable

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

Must list applicant details, visit dates/places and inviter contact/address/signature

ConditionalLegal stay proof in Egypt

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Required if applying in Egypt while not applying in the country of citizenship

ConditionalPrevious Chinese visas/passports, if any

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Provide copies when relevant to the application history

RequiredFee payment

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Cash, debit card or credit card in Egyptian pounds at CVASC

RequiredNIA arrival card

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Fill online before arrival or at the port unless exempt

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesChinese Embassy in Egypt — Introduction to Chinese Visa Chinese Embassy in Egypt — How to Apply Chinese Embassy in Egypt — China Online Visa Processing System launch

Application link included: Chinese Embassy in Egypt — Introduction to Chinese Visa

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Single-entry visa, regular serviceLE 2,580LE 400 visa fee + LE 2,180 CVASC service fee

Double-entry visa, regular serviceLE 2,770LE 590 visa fee + LE 2,180 CVASC service fee

Multiple-entry visa, 6 months, regular serviceLE 2,970LE 790 visa fee + LE 2,180 CVASC service fee

Multiple-entry visa, 12 months, regular serviceLE 3,370LE 1,190 visa fee + LE 2,180 CVASC service fee

Cairo express surcharge, if acceptedLE 430 / LE 630Embassy fee page lists third-working-day and second-working-day express fees

CVASC VIP service, optionalLE 2,180 extraOptional no-queue service listed by CVASC Cairo

Total estimateLE 2,580 — LE 3,370incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Online review

Start about 30 days before travel

CVASC Cairo recommends online review before the trip; after approval, submit at the center within 14 working days.

Cairo regular service

Collection on the 4th working day

Regular processing at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Cairo.

Alexandria regular service

Collection on the 5th working day

Regular processing at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Alexandria.

Cairo express service

2nd or 3rd working day if accepted

Subject to availability and additional express fee.

Diplomatic/service (special) passport

Visa-free up to 30 days

NIA lists Egypt for diplomatic and service (special) passports only, effective 27 Jan 2007.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Wrong visa category

Tourism, trade, exchange, study and work use different visa categories and supporting documents.

Medium

/02

Online photo or form issue

CVASC warns that an invalid ID photo in the online application can cause rejection or entry problems.

Medium

/03

Missing itinerary or invitation details

L visa applications need round-trip ticket and hotel booking or a properly detailed invitation letter.

Medium

/04

Extra review requested

The embassy states consular officers may request supplementary documents or an interview and decide validity, entries and stay duration.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.

/02

Registration

Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.

/03

Connectivity

Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-21

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-21 · major

Codex fact-check against official China sources

Re-verified visa-required status for Egyptian ordinary passport holders, corrected diplomatic/service visa-free effective date to 2007-01-27, updated online application, fees, processing, arrival-card and fingerprint guidance from Embassy, CVASC and NIA sources.

2026-05-27

Egypt to China route verified

Confirmed visa required for ordinary passport holders; diplomatic/service remain visa-free.

2007-01-27 · major

China-Egypt diplomatic/service passport visa-free agreement effective

NIA lists Egypt diplomatic and service (special) passports as visa-free for 30 days from this date; ordinary passports are not included.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Egyptian citizens need a visa for China?—

Yes. Egyptian ordinary passport holders need the appropriate Chinese visa before travel. Only diplomatic and service (special) passports are covered by the 30-day bilateral visa-free exemption.

Where do I apply?+

How much does a China visa cost in Egypt?+

How long does processing take?+

Do tourist visa applicants need fingerprints?+

Do I need an arrival card for China?+

/11 — Passport tools