If you’re a UAE resident planning to visit China, obtaining the correct visa is essential for a smooth experience. China offers several visa types, including a tourist visa for those exploring the country’s cultural landmarks and a business visa for those visiting on official work or professional matters.
The standard tourist visa typically grants a 30-day stay, but in some cases, UAE residents may receive a two-year, multiple-entry visa. This decision, however, rests with the Chinese embassy and can vary based on individual circumstances.
For Dubai residents, understanding the visa application process is key to ensuring approval. Important details, like which visa is faster to obtain, what documents are required, and which visa type best supports your travel plans, often come up in consultations.
Additionally, applicants frequently look for efficient, affordable ways to complete the process, with many wondering which visa type may add value to their travel history.
In this guide, I will share with each step of applying for a China visa from Dubai, helping you make informed choices tailored to your travel goals.
Document Requirements for China Visa For UAE Residents
Applying for a China tourist visa (L visa) as a UAE resident requires careful attention to document requirements to ensure a successful application.
Passport: Your original passport must be valid for at least six months from your intended arrival date in China. Additionally, it should have at least two blank visa pages to accommodate the visa stamp.
China Visa Application Form: You’ll need to complete and sign a visa application form, which can be easily downloaded from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate website. Ensure all information is accurate to avoid any delays.
Recent Passport-Style Photograph: A recent photo that meets the embassy’s specifications is required. Ensure it’s a clear, passport-sized image for proper identification.
Flight Itinerary: Provide a confirmed round-trip flight itinerary, indicating your arrival and departure dates. This helps establish your travel plans and duration of stay.
Hotel Reservations: You must present confirmed hotel reservations for your stay in China. This is important for the embassy to verify your accommodation during your visit.
Financial Proof: Demonstrating financial stability is crucial. Include recent bank statements or other financial documents to show that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in China.
Travel Itinerary: A detailed travel itinerary is essential, outlining the places you plan to visit and the corresponding dates. This provides clarity on your travel plans and helps in the visa approval process.
Invitation Letter: Generally, an invitation letter is not required for a tourist visa. However, if you plan to visit family or friends in China, you may be asked to provide one.
Additional Documents: Depending on the purpose of your trip, you may need to submit additional documents. This could include:
Marriage Certificate: If visiting a spouse.
Birth Certificate: If traveling with children.
Other documents proving your relationship with your host in China.
No Objection Certificate (NOC): If you are sponsored in the UAE, an NOC from your sponsor may be necessary. If the applicant is under 18, both parents must provide an NOC along with copies of their passports.
How to Apply China Visa From Dubai as UAE Resident?
Here’s a step by step guide on how to apply for a China visa from Dubai.
Step 1: Check Visa Requirements
Before you begin, it’s crucial to check the specific visa requirements based on your purpose of travel—whether it’s for tourism, business, or any other reason.
Visit the official website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Dubai to find detailed information regarding visa types, eligibility, and any additional documents you may need.
Step 2: Complete the Visa Application Form
Once you have the necessary information, download the China visa application form from the embassy or consulate’s website. Take your time to fill out the form accurately and completely. Incomplete or incorrect forms can lead to delays in processing or even rejection of your application. Make sure to double-check all the information before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all the required documents for your visa application. The essential documents include:
Your passport: Ensure it is valid for at least six months beyond your intended arrival date in China and has at least two blank visa pages.
Recent passport-sized photograph: This should meet the specific requirements set by the embassy.
Flight itinerary: Include a confirmed round-trip flight itinerary.
Hotel reservation: Provide proof of your accommodation during your stay.
Financial proof: Bank statements or other documents that demonstrate your financial ability to cover your travel expenses.
Travel itinerary: Outline your planned activities and places to visit while in China.
Additional documents: Depending on your purpose, such as an invitation letter for family visits or business.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
With your completed application form and all required documents in hand, visit the Chinese Visa Application Center in Dubai to submit your application. You must submit your application in person, allowing the staff to check your documents for completeness.
Step 5: Pay the Visa Fees
At the time of your application submission, you will need to pay the visa fees and any associated service charges. Keep in mind that the visa fees can vary based on the type of visa you are applying for and the duration of your stay in China. It’s advisable to confirm the exact fees beforehand to ensure you are prepared.
Step 6: Collect Your Visa
Once your application is processed and your visa is approved, you will receive a notification to collect your visa. You can pick it up in person at the visa application center in Dubai or choose to have it delivered to your address, depending on the options provided by the center.
How to Fill Chinese Tourist Visa Application Form
I will now guide you through the step-by-step process of filling out the tourist visa application form for China. To make it easier for you, I will also include images for each important step. This will help ensure that your application is completed accurately.
Start by visiting the official Chinese visa application website at cova.mfa.gov.cn. Once you open the site, you will see a language selection option. Choose your preferred language (e.g., English) to proceed.
Select “I’m applying from Asia,” then choose the Abu Dhabi Embassy from the list. This ensures you’re accessing the correct application portal based on your location.
After selecting the Abu Dhabi Embassy, you will be directed to the application section where your application number will be generated. It’s essential to print this number for your records in case you need it later.
You’ll need to upload a recent passport-sized photo that meets the specific requirements set by the embassy. Make sure your photo adheres to the guidelines, as failure to do so could result in processing delays.
Fill in your personal details accurately:
Family Name and Given Name: Enter your last name in the first box and your first name in the second. Avoid including any middle names or Chinese names.
Date of Birth: Input your year, month, and day of birth.
Gender: Select your gender.
Place of Birth: Provide your place of birth, including your country, province, and city.
Select your marital status (married, single, etc.) and indicate your nationality and permanent residence nationality. Also, include your national ID number (this should not be your passport number).
Next, provide details about your passport:
Type of Passport: Indicate whether it’s an ordinary, special, official, or diplomatic passport.
Passport Number: Enter your passport number.
Issuing Country: Specify where your passport was issued, and mention the place of issue.
Expiration Date: Fill in the date your passport expires.
Choose the appropriate visa type based on your travel purpose. For tourism, select “L” (for tourism). Also, specify the purpose of your visit (e.g., tourism, business, etc.).
Decide whether you want to select normal service (4-5 working days) or express service (3 working days) for visa processing.
In this section, you’ll need to provide your intended travel details:
Number of Entries: Choose between single, double, or multiple entries.
Duration of Stay: Specify how many days you plan to stay in China.
Visa Validity: Indicate how long you want the visa to be valid (1-12 months).
Provide details about your current occupation, including:
Work Experience: List your employment history over the past five years.
Employer Details: Mention your employer’s name, address, phone number, position, duties, and supervisor’s name.
Fill in your highest level of education, including the name of your school, degree, and major. This information is required to assess your application fully.
Provide your current residence address, phone number, mobile number, and email address for communication.
You will need to provide details about your parents and any children you may have. If applicable, fill out their names, nationalities, and dates of birth. If any parent is not alive, you can select “not applicable.”
Enter your planned date of arrival in China and city of arrival. You also need to fill in your departure date and city.
If someone is inviting you, include their details in the application. This information is essential for processing your visa.
Provide an emergency contact’s details. This should be someone close to you, including their relationship to you and contact number.
Indicate who will be responsible for your trip expenses. If you’re funding it yourself, select that option.
Answer questions about your travel history, including:
Previous trips to China
Any issued Chinese visas
Valid visas from other countries
You will face a series of questions related to your visa history and any potential health concerns. Answer these truthfully, as they are crucial for your application.
Before submitting, review all the information provided in your application. Ensure everything is accurate. Once confirmed, you will generate two forms: the application confirmation and the application form.
Print out all the required documents, including your invitation letter, application forms, and passport. Visit the Abu Dhabi Embassy in person to submit your application without needing an appointment.
China Visa Fee For UAE Residents
Chinese visa fees vary based on several factors, including the type of entry you require and the processing speed. Below is a detailed breakdown of the visa fees for UAE residents:
Visa Fees for Citizens (UAE and Others)
It’s important to note that visa fees may differ for citizens of other countries. Here’s a quick overview for citizens applying for a visa:
Citizen (Regular Fees)
Single Entry: 360 AED
Double Entries: 435 AED
Multiple Entries (6 Months): 510 AED
Multiple Entries (12 Months): 660 AED
Citizen (Express Fees)
Single Entry: 525 AED
Double Entries: 598.5 AED
Multiple Entries (6 Months): 673.5 AED
Multiple Entries (12 Months): 823.5 AED
Fees Charged by Chinese Consulates-General
For those applying directly through Chinese consulates-general in the UAE, the fees can vary. Here’s how they break down:
I'm Haris Ali. I am resident of United Arab Emirates. I've been working with identification documents in UAE for over 8 years. I've gained valuable experience from working with various government authorities in the region, especially with documents like the Emirates ID.
In my free time, I enjoy playing cricket and exploring new destinations around the world.
