China is a vast and diverse country with a rich history, vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and modern developments. Not to mention the fact that the country has its own diverse, flavorful, and delightful cuisines. From Peking duck and dim sum to spicy Sichuan dishes, each region has its culinary specialties. It’s no wonder that China is a must-visit destination, as it boasts a lot of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Great Wall of China. Thus, China is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those seeking awe-inspiring landscapes.
On the other hand, if you’re a Philippine passport holder, you need to obtain a Chinese visa to enter China, may it be Shanghai or Beijing. With that, here’s how you can apply for a Chinese visa with or without an Income Tax Return (ITR).
Table of Contents
How to Apply for a Chinese Visa for Filipinos
Create an account on their website.
This is the first thing that you need to do when applying for a Chinese visa. You need to create an account and log in to their website to start the process of Chinese visa application. Once you’re logged in, you need to fill in the form provided by their website, and make sure to have your digital picture (must meet the photo requirement) prepared. Then, once you’re done with the form, you need to download and print it upon submission to the embassy.
Determine the type of visa you need.
Before you begin the application process, identify the type of visa that suits your travel purpose. Common visa types include tourist, business, and student visas.
Prepare all the necessary documents.
- Passport
- Photocopy of Bio page and Emergency contact page
- Old passport
- Visa application and the confirmation page with Signatures
- One photo (Taken within 6 months) 48mm x 33mm size with a white background
- Proof of legal stay or residence status in the Philippines
- Photocopy of previous Chinese Visa
- Roundtrip ticket
- Hotel Accommodation
- Travel Itinerary
Additional Requirements for First-time Chinese Visa Applicants
- Bank Certificate (including 6 months bank statement) and the receipt for payment of this certificate
- BIR-Stamped Income Tax Return Form
- COE (detailing the salary and the length of employment)
- Business Registration Certificate (if you are the owner)
- Professional ID/Student ID (if applicable)
- Other relevant documents proving the applicant’s economic condition/employment supporting the applicant’s travel to China or explaining the travel purpose (if applicable)
Visit the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
If you’re applying for a Chinese visa, the Chinese Embassy is located on the 6th floor, Noble Square, 6762 Ayala Ave, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1226 Metro Manila.
Submit your application.
Visit the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in person to submit your application. Check the operating hours, and be prepared to pay the visa fee. Visa processing times may vary, so apply well in advance of your planned travel date. Please take note that the Chinese Embassy only accepts applicants from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Pay the visa fee.
Pay the required visa fee, which can vary depending on the type and duration of the visa. Payment is typically in cash, so be sure to have the exact amount. For your reference, here are the Chinese visa fees:
- Single entry: PHP 2,898 (Regular), PHP 4,922 (Express), PHP 6,446 (Rush)
- Double-entry: PHP 3,448 (Regular) PHP 5,472 (Express), PHP 6,996 (Rush)
- Multiple entries (6 months): PHP 3,948 (Regular), PHP 5,972 (Express), PHP 7,496 (Rush)
- Multiple entries (over 6 months): PHP 4,998 (Regular), PHP 7,022 (Express), PHP 3,150 (Rush)
Claim your passport.
Once your visa is processed, return to the embassy or consulate to collect your passport with the attached visa. Double-check the details to ensure accuracy. The processing time is just 3-4 business days. For example, if you applied on Monday, you could go back to the embassy on Thursday to get your passport and approved visa!
Essential Travel Guide & Tips
- Make sure to fill out the visa application form accurately and truthfully. The form can be downloaded from the official website of the Chinese Embassy or obtained at the embassy or consulate.
- Your Philippine passport must be valid for six months. It must have at least one blank visa page. If your old passport is available, you need to submit it as well.
- You must fill out the Chinese Visa Application form correctly and truthfully. Fill out the form on a computer. Handwritten is not allowed. You need to write in capital English letters in the space provided. If the item does not apply, type N/A, or Not Applicable. Do not leave any blanks.
- The passport photo must be in a 48mm x 33mm size without a head covering. It should be the recent, front-view, white background. Make sure to paste your photo on the application form. Stapled, taped, or detached photos will not be accepted.
- Your itinerary should match according to your budget.
Where to apply for a Chinese Visa?
Chinese Embassy in the Philippines
6th floor, Noble Square, 6762 Ayala Ave, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1226 Metro Manila
How much should I have in my bank account for a Chinese visa application?
There’s no specific amount that you must have in your bank account. But here’s an example scenario: if you’ll be traveling to Beijing for four days, at least a Php 10,000 budget per day is the most ideal amount.
Let’s say you’ll be in Shanghai or Beijing for 3 days or 4 days. The total ideal amount that you must have in your bank account is around Php 60K to Php 70K. I believe that is reasonable enough. As long as you can sustain your China trip, then that kind of amount will do. I only had around PHP 60K in my bank account when I applied for my Chinese visa.
How to apply for a Chinese visa without an ITR?
If you can’t provide an Income Tax Return (ITR), you can still apply for a Chinese Visa. All you have to do is make an explanation letter or cover letter explaining why you can’t provide an ITR with your application.
In my case, I am a freelancer and have just resigned from my previous company. That means I couldn’t submit an ITR or COE yet. That being said, I had to provide a cover letter.
Do I need to submit the same documents for my second Chinese visa application?
No. If you’re applying for a Chinese visa for the second time, you don’t need to submit a bank certificate and bank statement. All you need is your old Chinese visa and the other documents mentioned above.
How long is the process for a Chinese visa application?
If all the supporting documents meet the requirements:
- Regular: 4 working days
- Express: 3 working days
- Rush: 2 working days
Take note:
- The counter accepts rush applications until 11:30 AM.
- Express and rush service is not available to first-time Chinese visa applicants / F, M, X1, X2, and Z visa applications.
How much is the Chinese visa application for Filipinos?
For Philippine Passport holders:
- Single entry: PHP 2,898 (Regular), PHP 4,9222 (Express), PHP 6,446 (Rush)
- Double-entry: PHP 3,448 (Regular) PHP 5,472 (Express), PHP 6,996 (Rush)
- Multiple entries (6 months): PHP 3,948 (Regular), PHP 5,972 (Express), PHP 7,496 (Rush)
- Multiple entries (over 6 months): PHP 4,998 (Regular), PHP 7,022 (Express), PHP 3,150 (Rush)
Is it easy to apply for a Chinese visa for Filipinos?
Obtaining a Chinese visa is much easier than getting any other visa. I believe this is much easier than applying for any other visas, such as Korean or Japanese visas. It is so easy that you can even apply it to yourself!
Whether you want to tick off your Disneyland around the world bucket list or want to complete the UNESCO World Heritage Sites on your list, the Chinese visa application for Filipinos is not as tough as you think! I hope this guide helps you!
Where is the Chinese Embassy Manila located?
6th floor, Noble Square, 6762 Ayala Avenue Makati City, 1226
- Telephone: (+63) 962-721-8061; 02-5322-6888
- Email: mnlcenter@visaforchina.org
- Website: www.visaforchina.cn
- Working days: Monday to Friday (Except for holidays)
- For application submission: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Rush service before 11:30 AM)
- For visa collection: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Hey, my name is Ara Patria—a solo female traveler who is in her quest of traveling the world. I write and learn about life through the lenses of my camera, personal experiences, and adventures. Join me as I unravel the mystery of life through exploring the wanders of the world.
){kind=link}