How to Fill Out the China Visa Application Form Correctly 2026
The China visa application form (Form V.2013) is the official document you must complete to apply for any Chinese visa. It’s available to download from your local Chinese embassy or consulate website, or from the VASC. The form must be completed fully — every field — and signed. Leaving any section blank, even questions that seem irrelevant, is a common reason for rejection. This guide walks through the most confusing sections and tells you exactly what to write.
Table of Contents
Where do I get the China visa application form?
Official sources (use only these):
- Your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate website — search “[your city] Chinese consulate” and look for the visa section
- visaforchina.cn — the official Chinese government visa portal (also where you apply for the eVisa)
- Your nearest Visa Application Service Centre (VASC) — they can provide printed forms at the counter
Do not use: Third-party websites that offer to “pre-fill” the form for a fee. Always download from an official source to ensure you have the current version (V.2013). Using an outdated version will result in rejection.
Print or type? The form can be completed online and printed, or printed blank and filled in by hand in black ink. Typed/printed is preferred by most consulates as it’s more legible. If handwriting, print clearly — cursive handwriting is often rejected.
How do I fill out each section of the China visa form?
Section 1 — Personal Information
- Name: Enter exactly as it appears on your passport — surname first if your passport uses that format, or given name first if that matches your passport. Be consistent throughout the form.
- Date of birth: Use the format DD/MM/YYYY (or as specified on the form version you’re using).
- Nationality: Your current passport nationality.
- Occupation: Be specific — “Software Engineer”, “Teacher”, “Retired”, “Student”. Avoid vague terms like “professional” or “worker”.
Section 2 — Passport Information
- Passport number: Copy digit-for-digit from your passport. Double-check this — errors here cause significant problems.
- Place of issue: The city/office where your passport was issued (usually printed inside the passport).
- Date of issue and expiry: Copy exactly from passport.
Section 3 — Application Information
- Visa type: Write the letter code — “L” for tourist, “M” for business, etc.
- Number of entries: “Single”, “Double” or “Multiple”
- Intended date of entry: Your planned first entry date. Don’t put a date too far in the future — the visa is typically valid for 3 months from issue, so don’t plan more than 2.5 months ahead.
- Duration of stay requested: Usually 30 or 60 days. Don’t request more than you genuinely need.
Section 4 — Travel Itinerary This is where many applications fall short. Be specific:
- List the cities you plan to visit in order
- Provide hotel names and addresses for every night
- “Travelling around” or “various hotels” is not acceptable
Section 5 — Previous Visits and Visa History Answer all questions honestly. If you’ve had a previous visa rejection from China, you must declare it here. Providing false information is grounds for a permanent ban.
Section 6 — Emergency Contact A contact person in your home country. Fill this in completely.
What are the most common mistakes on the China visa application form?
- Leaving fields blank — Write “N/A” for any question that doesn’t apply to you. Never leave a blank.
- Name mismatch — Your name on the form must match your passport exactly, including middle names and hyphens.
- Wrong passport number — Transposing even one digit causes your visa to be invalid. Check three times.
- Vague occupation — “Business” or “self-employed” without detail is a flag. Give your specific job title.
- Generic itinerary — “Sightseeing in China” without specific locations and hotels will get your application queried or rejected.
- Not declaring previous rejections — The system will already show this. Lying about it is worse than the rejection itself.
- Wrong signature position — Sign and date in the correct boxes, as indicated. Some forms require initials in multiple places.
- Using an outdated form — Always download fresh from the official source.
How do I fill out the China visa application form?
Download Form V.2013 from your local Chinese embassy website. Complete every field — leave nothing blank (write N/A if a question doesn’t apply). Include a specific day-by-day itinerary with hotel names. Your name and passport number must match your passport exactly. Sign and date where indicated.
Can I fill out the China visa form online?
Yes — Form V.2013 can be completed online through the official visa portal (visaforchina.cn) or downloaded as a PDF and typed into before printing. If you apply for an eVisa, the entire form is online. For traditional embassy applications, you print the completed form and bring it in person.
What do I put for occupation on a China visa application?
Give your specific job title — “Marketing Manager”, “Primary School Teacher”, “Retired Civil Servant”, “University Student”, etc. Avoid vague terms like “professional”, “employee” or “business person”. If you’re between jobs, write “Unemployed” or “Job Seeker” — don’t leave it blank or write something inaccurate.
Do I need to print the China visa form double-sided?
Check the specific instructions from your consulate or VASC. Many consulates require the form to be printed on a single page (front and back on one A4 sheet). Do not staple — use a paperclip if multiple documents need to be kept together.
→ How to Apply for a China Visa: step-by-step