🇵🇭PHILIPPINES

🇨🇳CHINAPH-CN

Do Philippines passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Q: How much does the China visa cost for Filipinos?

PHP 1,400 for a single-entry L Visa, PHP 2,100 for double-entry, or PHP 2,800 for a 5-year multi-entry visa. Add a CVASC service fee of PHP 1,400 per applicant.

Q: How long does the China visa take?

4-7 working days for standard processing at CVASC Manila. Express (3 days) and rush (next-day) options available with additional fees.

Q: Can I visit Hainan Island visa-free?

Yes — Filipinos can visit Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, but only through approved group tours organised by Chinese travel agencies. Independent travel still requires a visa.

Q: What is the 240-hour transit visa-free?

Travellers in transit to a third country can stay up to 10 days at 60+ ports of entry (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc.) without a visa. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a different country than where you entered from.

Q: Can I get a multi-entry visa?

Yes — 5-year multi-entry L Visas are available, typically for travellers with prior China visits. Each stay is capped at 30-60 days. The fee is PHP 2,800.

Visa required. L Visa for tourism, PHP 1,400 (single-entry). Hainan and 240-hour transit are visa-free options. Philippine ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter mainland China — Philippines is not on China's unilateral visa-free list. The standard tourist visa is the L Visa (single, double, or multi-entry) costing PHP 1,400 for single-entry. Hainan Island offers 30-day visa-free entry for group tours, and the 240-hour visa-free transit policy (10 days) applies at 60+ ports for travellers continuing to a third country. The 5-year multi-entry L Visa is available for travellers with prior visit history (PHP 2,800). Stays under standard L Visas are typically 30-60 days per entry, depending on the consular officer.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27

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.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27

Visa type

L Visa (tourist; single, double, or multi-entry)

Maximum stay

30-60 days per entry typical

per entry

Entries

Single, double, or 5-year multi

from issue date

Visa fee

PHP 1,400 (single); PHP 2,100 (double); PHP 2,800 (multi)

consular fee only

Processing time

4-7 working days

standard track

Validity

3-6 months (single) or 5 years (multi)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival with at least 1 blank page.

· 6-month rule

/02

Prepare documents

Application form (online + printed), passport, photo (33×48mm), invitation letter or flight + hotel bookings, bank statements (last 3-6 months), employment certificate, ITR, PSA documents.

· full document set

/03

Submit at China Visa Center

Submit at China Visa Application Service Center in Manila (Makati). Pay PHP 1,400+ visa fee + PHP 1,400 service fee.

· CVASC Manila

/04

Wait for decision

4-7 working days standard. Express (PHP 1,400 extra) and rush (next-day) options available.

· 4-7 working days

/05

Travel to China

Collect passport with visa sticker. On arrival, register with local police within 24 hours if not at a hotel.

· police registration

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 12 complete

Philippine passport

Valid 6 months on arrival, 1 blank page

Visa application form

COVA online + printed

Passport photo

33×48mm, white background, recent

Flight booking

Round-trip itinerary

Hotel bookings

Confirmed for entire stay

Invitation letter (if business/family visit)

From Chinese host or organisation

Bank statements

Last 3-6 months

Employment certificate

With salary and leave approval

ITR (Income Tax Return)

Last 1-2 years

PSA birth certificate

Original copy

Police registration (in China)

Within 24 hours if not at hotel

Mobile payment app

Alipay TourCard / WeChat Pay for foreign visitors strongly recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Single-entry L VisaPHP 1,400Tourist; 30-60 days stay

Double-entry L VisaPHP 2,100Two entries within 3-6 months

Multi-entry L Visa (5 years)PHP 2,800Requires prior travel history; 30-60 days per entry

Service feePHP 1,400China Visa Application Service Center

Express servicePHP 1,400 extra3 working days

Rush servicePHP 2,100 extraNext working day

Hainan visa-free (group)Free30 days tourism on Hainan Island via approved tour

240-hour transit visa-freeFree10 days at major ports en route to third country

Total estimatePHP 2,800 — PHP 6,300incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Single-entry L Visa

4-7 working days

Standard processing at CVASC Manila.

Multi-entry L Visa

4-7 working days

Requires evidence of prior China visits; 5-year validity.

Express

3 working days

Additional PHP 1,400 service fee.

Rush

Next working day

Additional PHP 2,100 service fee. Subject to availability.

Hainan visa-free (group)

On arrival

Up to 30 days tourism on Hainan via Chinese-approved travel agency.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Insufficient funds shown

Bank statements should show stable income and reserves; sudden lump-sum deposits raise concerns.

Medium

/02

Weak travel history

First-time international travellers may need stronger supporting evidence.

Medium

/03

Inconsistent itinerary

Mismatched dates, vague plans, or contradictions between forms and bookings can lead to refusal.

Medium

/04

Previous overstays

Any prior China, Hong Kong, or other overstay heavily affects future approvals.

Medium

/05

Incomplete documents

Missing PSA documents, employment letter, or ITR is a common cause of returned applications.

Medium

/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

2026-05-27

Philippines to China route verified

Confirmed L Visa required, PHP 1,400 single-entry, PHP 2,800 multi-entry, Hainan + transit options.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Filipino citizens need a visa for China?—

Yes — Philippine ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter mainland China. The Philippines is not on China's unilateral visa-free list, unlike Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia.

How much does the China visa cost for Filipinos?+

How long does the China visa take?+

Can I visit Hainan Island visa-free?+

What is the 240-hour transit visa-free?+

Can I get a multi-entry visa?+

/11 — Passport tools