Do You Need a Visa to Visit Beijing? Latest 2026 Update

Do You Need a Visa to Visit Beijing?This is a common question for many people when planning a trip to explore the vast city of Beijing. In fact, Vietnamese citizens are required to have a visa to enter China, but if you understand the regulations and prepare properly, the visa application process is not complicated at all. In this article, SimPM will help answer the question “Do You Need a Visa to Visit Beijing?” in full, while also providing detailed instructions and practical tips so you can prepare for your trip as easily as possible.

Do Vietnamese travelers need a visa to visit Beijing?

The shortest and most accurate answer is: Yes. According to current regulations from the Embassy of China, Vietnamese citizens using a regular passport are required to apply for a visa to enter the capital city of Beijing for purposes such as tourism, business, or visiting relatives.

However, when learning about Do You Need a Visa to Visit Beijing, you should also note that the visa type and procedure will vary depending on the purpose of your trip. Therefore, identifying the correct visa type from the start will save you a lot of time and effort.

Cases exempt from visa when arriving in Beijing

Many people wonder whether they need a visa to visit Beijing when only transiting; the answer is no if you fall into the following cases:

• Transit for 144 g hours (Visa-free Transit): If you fly from Vietnam and transit in Beijing on your way to a third country (for example, the US, Japan, Europe), you may be exempt from a visa for up to 144 g hours to visit the capital.
• Holders of diplomatic or official passports: Under the agreement between the two countries, these individuals are exempt from a visa for a certain period of time.
• APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): If you have this “powerful” card, you can enter China multiple times without a visa, with each stay of up to 60 – 90 days.

See also: When is the best time to visit Beijing? Suggested ideal timing

Detailed step-by-step visa application procedure for Beijing

If you are preparing for a trip to Beijing, understanding the visa application process is a step you cannot skip. From choosing the right visa type, preparing your documents, to submitting and tracking the result, the section below will guide you through the entire procedure clearly so you can save time and minimize mistakes.

Common visa types

Typically, tourists will apply for Visa type L, a visa for people traveling to China independently or as part of a group tour, with a typical validity of 3 months 1 entry.

Common China visa types

What documents do you need to prepare for a Beijing visa application?

Based on the latest guidance from the China Visa Application Service Center, the complete set of documents you need to prepare includes:

1. Personal documents (Required)

• Original passport: Valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages, and accompanied by 1 photocopy of the photo information page.
• Standard passport photo: 02 photo sized 4.8 x 3.3 cm, white background, clear face (no glasses, ears visible), taken within the last 6 months.

• Identity documents: Notarized copy of Citizen ID/ID card and Household Registration Book (or CT07 residence confirmation).

2. Travel supporting documents

• Flight booking confirmation & Hotel: Provide round-trip flight tickets and hotel booking confirmation in Beijing that matches your itinerary.
• Detailed itinerary: An itinerary in English or Chinese, clearly stating where you will go and what you will do in Beijing each day.
• Invitation letter (if any): Applicable for family visit or business purposes. The invitation letter must be written in Chinese (recommended) or bilingual Chinese-English, clearly stating the inviter’s and invitee’s information.

3. Financial and employment proof

• Financial capacity: Bank statement for the last 3 months, ensuring a minimum balance of 50 million VND.
• Employment proof: Employment contract (for employees) or business registration certificate (for business owners).

4. Important notes for special cases

• Children under 18 years old: Must have a birth certificate. If not traveling with parents, an authorization letter certified by the local authority is also required.
• Additional documents: Student visa (X) requires an admission letter; work visa (Z) requires a work permit.

5. Small tips from SimPM:

• Regarding language: You do not need notarized translation if your documents are already in English or Chinese. However, for documents only in Vietnamese, it is best to attach a translation so the consular officers can compare them quickly, helping your application get approved sooner!
• Accuracy is absolutely essential: Be sure to double-check that your flight itinerary, hotel confirmation, and application form all match each day. Even a small discrepancy can easily cause your application to be marked with a question mark and be regrettably rejected.
• Organize your documents carefully: A file arranged in the exact order instructed by the Center not only makes you look professional but also helps the counter check-in process go super fast, saving time for both you and the person after you.

Where to apply for a visa?

At present, you do not submit visa applications directly to the Embassy of China, but instead at the China Visa Application Service Center at the following addresses:

• Hanoi:Floor 7, Truong Thinh Building, Trang An Complex, No. 1 Phung Chi Kien.
• TP. HCM: Floor 16, Saigon Trade Center Building, 37 Ton Duc Thang, District 1.
• Da Nang: Floor 8, Indochina Riverside Towers Building, 74 Bach Dang.

Visa fees and processing time

Visa fees and processing time are two important factors you need to understand so you can proactively plan your trip. Below is detailed information on the fees and processing time for a Beijing visa so you can prepare and choose the most suitable option.

Detailed visa fee and processing time table

Fees: The total cost usually includes the consular fee (collected in USD) and the service fee of the Center (collected in VND). The total usually ranges around 2.000.000VND -3.000.000d depending on the visa type.

Time: It usually takes from 4 to 7 working days. If you need it urgently, you can make an appointment with the China Visa Application Service Center and use the expedited service (additional fee applies).

Note: This fee schedule is referenced from the posted fees at the Visa Application Service Center. However, the final total fee may change depending on when you submit your application and the service type you choose.

Practical experience applying for a Beijing visa from SimPM

Applying on your own is not as hard as you think, but there are some small “traps” that can easily get your application returned. To make your trip smooth, don’t miss the practical tips that SimPM has summarized below:

• Notes when filling out the online form: Passport photos are the most common thing for the system to flag as an error. Remember to take a photo with a white background, no glasses, and absolutely do not wear a white shirt that matches the background.

• Book an appointment early: Application slots in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are often fully booked. Be proactive and schedule your appointment on the website at least 1 months before your departure date. Don’t forget to print the appointment slip on paper to present at the center gate.
• Fingerprint rules: Starting from 2023, according to the announcement from the Chinese Consulate General, biometric data collection (fingerprints) is mandatory for most visa categories, and you must be present at the center to have your fingerprints taken once. If your hand is injured or has ink marks, wait until it heals completely before submitting so the scanner can recognize it faster.
• Organize documents smartly: Arrange the documents in the correct order as instructed. A neat application set always creates a good impression on the reviewing officer and helps you avoid confusion during document checks.
• What to wear when submitting: No need to be too formal, but you should dress neatly (collared shirt). A polished appearance always helps the fingerprinting and photo verification process go quickly.

See also: Self-guided travel cost in Beijing: Necessary expenses from A to Z

Besides the visa, what else do you need to prepare for a trip to Beijing?

After answering the question “Do You Need a Visa to Visit Beijing?”, you should still pay attention to some important elements:

• Download payment app & Map: China is almost cashless. Link your card to Alipay to scan and pay for everything from milk tea to taxis. Don’t forget to download Amap for accurate navigation, because Google Maps does not work well here.
• Clothing & Medicine: Beijing’s weather is quite dry and changes by season. Bring moisturizer and some basic medicine to make sure you stay healthy throughout the trip.
• Prepare an internet connection before flying: This is something many people often overlook but is extremely important. You should prepare a China travel eSIM in advance so you can use it immediately upon arrival, avoiding dependence on public WiFi. In addition, if you travel internationally frequently, SimPM also offers many travel eSIM plans for popular destinations such asThailand eSIM, Korea eSIM, Japan eSIM,… helping you stay connected throughout every journey.

Through this article, you should now have the answer to the question “Do You Need a Visa to Visit Beijing?” as well as a solid understanding of the process so you can prepare well. Although applying for a visa may take a little time, the amazing experiences at the Great Wall or the Forbidden City will surely be well worth it.

Before you depart, check all the necessary information again and don’t forget to prepare your internet connection in advance with SimPM travel eSIM so you can easily handle procedures and stay in touch throughout the trip. Wishing you a complete and memorable Beijing adventure!