The tourist visa (L) is the one most U.S. travelers need — for sightseeing, visiting friends, or any personal trip to China. The good news: for U.S. citizens, it's usually issued as a 10-year, multiple-entry visa, and the requirements got simpler in 2024.
What you need for a China tourist visa
A passport valid for at least six more months, with a blank visa page
For the L visa you’ll need either confirmed bookings or a letter from someone hosting you — our China visa invitation letter guide covers exactly what it must say, with free templates.
A recent white-background photo (China has specific specs)
Your completed COVA application
Basic trip information
Two things you no longer need for a tourist visa, as of 2024: an invitation letter, and flight or hotel bookings. That's a real simplification from a few years ago.
The 10-year multiple-entry default
Under the U.S.-China reciprocity arrangement, most U.S. citizens receive a 10-year, multiple-entry L visa — even first-timers — at the same $140 government fee as a single-entry. You can stay up to 60 days per visit, with unlimited entries over the decade. Read more about the 10-year visa.
How to apply
Complete the COVA application, then your passport is submitted in person at the Chinese consulate that serves your state — we handle that part. Start your application, see what it costs, or compare all visa types.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides China visa application assistance. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency, and all visa decisions — type, validity, entries, and approval — are made solely by the Chinese consulate. Requirements can vary by consulate and change over time; confirm the current rules before you apply.