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🇹🇷TÜRKIYE
🇨🇳CHINATR-CN

Do Türkiye passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Turks need a Chinese visa. Apply at CVASC Istanbul or Ankara. Turkish ordinary passport holders need a Chinese visa to enter China — Turkey is not on China's unilateral visa-free list. Turkish travellers must apply for a regular L (tourist), F (business), Z (work), X (student), or Q (family) visa from the Chinese embassy in Ankara or the consulate in Istanbul, with submissions handled via the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in Istanbul or Ankara. The standard L tourist visa is valid up to 90 days from issue with single or double entry, allowing 30-60 days per stay. Turkish Airlines, China Southern, and Air China operate direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi'an — Istanbul is a major hub for Asia-bound traffic. The standard fee is USD 30 (single entry) or USD 60 (multi-entry) plus CVASC service fee in TRY. China-Türkiye trade has grown steadily under the Belt and Road Initiative — but as of 2026 no mutual visa-free agreement is in place for ordinary passport holders.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE 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
Tourist (L) visa application required
Maximum stay
Up to 30-60 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Single/double/multiple available
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 30 (single) / USD 45 (double) / USD 60 (multi)
consular fee only
Processing time
4-5 business days standard
standard track
Validity
3-12 months from issuance
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
Turkish passport valid 6+ months beyond intended departure with at least 2 blank pages.
· 6 months validity
/02
Complete COVA online form
Fill the China Online Visa Application (COVA) at visa.csm.mfa.gov.cn, print and sign.
· COVA online
/03
Gather documents
Passport, photo (33x48mm white background), itinerary (flight + hotel), bank statement, employment letter, COVA form.
· full documents
/04
Submit at CVASC Istanbul or Ankara
Visit CVASC in person. Biometrics may be required (14+ years).
· biometrics 14+
/05
Pay fees
USD 30 (single), USD 45 (double), USD 60 (multi-entry) plus CVASC service fee in TRY.
· pay fees
/06
Collect & travel
Pickup after 4-5 business days. Use the visa within validity window for travel.
· 4-5 days
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 8 complete
Turkish passport
Valid 6+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages
Completed COVA form
Printed and signed from visa.csm.mfa.gov.cn
Visa photo
33x48mm color, white background, recent (6 months)
Confirmed return/onward ticket
Within visa validity window
Hotel booking or host invitation
Full stay accommodation proof
Bank statement
Recent 3 months showing sufficient funds (~USD 100/day)
Employment letter or business license
Showing ties to home country
Previous Chinese visa (if any)
Copy of older China visas if applicable
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Single entry L visaUSD 30Up to 30 days per stay, valid 3 months from issue
Double entry L visaUSD 45Two entries within 6 months, 30 days each
Multi-entry L visa (6 months)USD 60Each stay up to 30 days, valid 6 months
Multi-entry L visa (1 year)USD 90Each stay up to 60 days, valid 1 year
CVASC service feeTRY 1,000-1,500Plus VAT, varies by service level
Express processing surchargeUSD 25Reduces processing to 2-3 days if available
Overstay penaltyCNY 500/dayPlus possible detention and re-entry ban
Total estimateUSD 30 — USD 90incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard L visa
4-5 business days
Via CVASC Istanbul or Ankara. Most common for tourists.
Express L visa
2-3 business days
Pay USD 25 surcharge, subject to embassy availability.
F business visa
4-5 business days
Business meetings, conferences, trade fairs. Invitation letter from China required.
Z work or X student visa
1-2 weeks
Requires work permit notification or admission letter from Chinese institution.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Incomplete COVA form
Missing fields, unsigned, or wrong format are common reasons for delay.
Medium
/02
Insufficient itinerary detail
Vague or unconfirmed flight/hotel itinerary may trigger questions.
Medium
/03
Weak financial proof
Bank statement showing low balance or no recent activity raises concerns.
Low
/04
Photo doesn't meet requirements
33x48mm, white background, recent - mistakes cause resubmission.
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
Türkiye to China route verified
Confirmed visa required - Türkiye not on China's unilateral visa-free list as of 2026.
2024-11-30
China visa-free expansion (Türkiye excluded)
China added 9 countries on 30 Nov 2024; Türkiye not included.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Turks need a visa for China?—
Yes - Türkiye is not on China's unilateral visa-free list. Turkish ordinary passport holders need an L (tourist), F (business), or other appropriate visa.
How much does the visa cost?+
How long does processing take?+
Where do I apply?+
Can I extend my visa in China?+
Are direct flights from Türkiye available?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Türkiye passport

🇹🇷⇄
Compare the Türkiye passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇹🇷◐
Türkiye visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇹🇷▤
Türkiye passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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