China visa for Nepali
- Original passport, valid 6 months from date of travel, with 2 blank pages (emergency or identity documents require 12 months' validity; damaged, torn, or incomplete passports are not accepted)
- Photo, 33x48mm, color, white background, front-facing, neutral expression
- Personal details form covering name, permanent and current address, contact information, email, education, 5-year work history, and details of father, mother, spouse, and children, provided by Gomayu once the application is initiated
- Photocopy of any previously issued Chinese visa, if applicable
- Confirmed return flight tickets or travel dates
- Confirmed hotel booking covering the full stay
- Cover letter describing the purpose of visit, travel dates, and planned itinerary
- Bank statement for the last 4 months, with a minimum closing balance of NPR 3,00,000
- Original passport, valid 6 months from date of travel, with 2 blank pages
- Photo, 33x48mm, color, white background, front-facing, neutral expression
- Personal details form, same as for the tourist visa
- Photocopy of any previously issued Chinese visa, if applicable
- Invitation or commercial activity letter from the Chinese trade partner or inviting entity, including applicant details, purpose and dates of visit, places to be visited, financial source, and the inviting party's details with official stamp and signature
- Recommendation letter from the sending Nepali company
- Company registration certificate and PAN registration
- Confirmed return flight tickets
- Bank statement for the last 3 months, required for first-time applicants, showing sufficient personal or company funds
The Chinese government visa fee has been waived for Nepali citizens since May 1, 2024. Prices shown reflect the visa centre service charge and Gomayu handling fee only, and are subject to change without notice. Please confirm the current rate at the time of application.
Travelling on a non-Nepali passport?
Our visa guidance is prepared for Nepali passport holders. If you hold a different passport, our team is happy to help, or check the official rules for your nationality.
China visa ā common questions
Do Nepali citizens need a visa to visit China?
Yes, Nepali citizens need a China visa arranged in advance. There is no visa-free entry and no visa on arrival for Nepali passport holders visiting mainland China. Most travellers apply for the tourist L visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Kathmandu before departure.
Can Nepali travellers get a China visa on arrival?
No, a China visa on arrival is not available to Nepali citizens for mainland China. Nepali passport holders must apply and receive the visa before flying. The visa is a sticker placed inside your passport, so your original passport is submitted during the application.
How do Nepali citizens apply for a China visa?
You start the application online on the official China visa portal, then submit your original passport and documents at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Kathmandu, on the 1st Floor, Rising Mall, Kamaladi. After processing, you collect the passport with the visa inside.
What documents are required for a China tourist visa from Nepal?
You need your original passport with 6 months validity and 2 blank pages, a 33mm by 48mm white-background photo, a completed personal details form, confirmed return flights, a hotel booking for your full stay, a cover letter, and a bank statement showing sufficient funds.
How long can Nepali citizens stay in China on a tourist visa?
A China tourist visa commonly allows a stay of up to 30 days per entry and is usually single entry. It typically must be used within about 90 days of the date of issue, and the stay is often aligned with your booked flight dates.
How long does China visa processing take for Nepali applicants?
China visa processing for Nepali applicants commonly takes about 12 to 15 working days from start to finish, covering document preparation, submission at the visa centre and return delivery. Apply at least three to four weeks before departure, and earlier during the Dashain and Tihar peak.
Is the China visa an e-visa or a sticker in the passport?
A China visa is a printed sticker placed inside your passport, not an electronic visa. This is why your original passport must be submitted to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre and collected again once the visa has been issued and checked for correct details.
Do Nepali applicants need to give fingerprints for a China visa?
Fingerprinting for a China visa has been waived for many short visits. When the waiver does not apply, applicants aged 14 to 70 must attend the visa centre in Kathmandu in person to provide fingerprints. Many visitors also give fingerprints at the border on arrival.
Can a Nepali traveller extend a China visa after arriving?
In some cases a China visa can be extended or converted to another type from within China through the local Exit and Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau. Extensions are granted at the authorities' discretion and are not automatic, so never rely on extending and avoid overstaying.
Do children need their own China visa?
Yes, each traveller including children and infants needs their own China visa in their own passport, as China does not add children to a parent's passport. Prepare a separate application, photo and supporting documents for every child travelling with the family.
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China visa ā complete guide
Do Nepali citizens need a visa for China?
Yes. Nepali passport holders need a Chinese visa arranged in advance, because there is no visa-free entry and no visa on arrival for Nepali citizens travelling to mainland China. Most holidaymakers apply for the tourist visa, known as the L visa, which covers sightseeing, visiting friends or family, and passing through the country. Business travellers apply for the M visa. Every application is made through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Kathmandu, and the approved visa is a printed sticker placed inside your passport.
Because a China visa is not an electronic visa, your original passport must be submitted and then collected once the visa is issued. This means you should plan ahead and keep your passport free during the processing window. The sections below walk you through the visa types, documents, the CVASC application steps, how long you can stay, the arrival process, and practical tips so that your first trip to China goes smoothly.
China visa types compared
The table below compares the main visa categories a Nepali traveller usually considers. The Chinese authorities decide entries, length of stay and validity on a case by case basis, so treat this as a planning guide rather than a fixed guarantee. Always confirm the correct category before you apply, because choosing the wrong type is a common reason for delay or refusal.
| Visa type | Purpose | Entries | Stay per visit | Validity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist (L) | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends or family | Usually single entry | Commonly up to 30 days, often aligned with your booked flight dates | Typically used within 90 days of the date of issue | Holidaymakers, honeymooners, families and solo travellers |
| Business (M) | Trade visits, trade fairs, meetings and commercial activity | Single or multiple, depending on approval | Set by the visa officer based on your invitation | Set on the visa, confirm on issue | Traders, company staff and exhibition visitors |
| Transit (G) | Passing through China on the way to a third country | Usually single | Short, limited to the transit period only | Short, tied to the specific journey | Travellers only changing flights or continuing onward |
For a normal holiday, the tourist L visa is almost always the right choice. If your reason for travel involves signing contracts, attending a trade fair or meeting a Chinese company, you will need the business M visa with a supporting invitation. If you are only stopping over in China between two international flights, ask about the transit route before you assume the tourist visa is needed.
Documents required for a China visa
Prepare a complete, consistent set of documents before submission. Mismatched dates, missing pages or an unclear purpose of travel are the usual causes of delay, so double-check everything against your flight and hotel bookings.
Tourist visa (L) documents
- Original passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity and 2 blank pages. Emergency or identity documents need 12 months of validity, and damaged, torn or incomplete passports are not accepted.
- One recent colour photo, 33mm by 48mm, on a white background, front facing, with a neutral expression.
- A completed personal details form covering your name, permanent and current address, contact number, email, education, a five-year work history, and details of your father, mother, spouse and children. Your agent can share this form once the application is started.
- A photocopy of any previously issued Chinese visa, if you have travelled to China before.
- Confirmed return flight tickets or clearly stated travel dates.
- A confirmed hotel booking that covers your full stay.
- A cover letter describing the purpose of your visit and your travel dates.
- A bank statement for the last few months showing sufficient funds, clearly displaying your name, account number, dates and closing balance.
Business visa (M) documents
- Original passport with 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages.
- One recent colour photo, 33mm by 48mm, white background, front facing, neutral expression.
- The same personal details form used for the tourist visa.
- A photocopy of any previously issued Chinese visa, if applicable.
- An invitation or commercial activity letter from the Chinese trade partner or inviting company. It should include your details, the purpose and dates of the visit, the places to be visited, the financial source, and the inviting party details with an official stamp and signature.
- A recommendation letter from the sending Nepali company.
- The company registration certificate and PAN registration.
- Confirmed return flight tickets.
- A bank statement, usually for the last three months for first-time applicants, showing that personal or company funds are sufficient.
How to apply: the CVASC process and biometrics
China visa applications for Nepali citizens follow a set order. The application begins online, and then your physical passport is handed in at the visa centre in Kathmandu. Working with an experienced agent means the online form, document check, submission and collection can all be handled for you.
- Start the application online on the official China visa portal and complete the electronic application form accurately.
- Assemble the supporting documents listed above and make sure every date matches your flight and hotel bookings.
- Submit the original passport and documents at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, located on the 1st Floor, Rising Mall, Kamaladi, Kathmandu.
- Provide biometrics if required. Fingerprinting has been waived for many short visits, but if the waiver does not apply, applicants aged 14 to 70 must attend the centre in person to give fingerprints.
- Wait for processing, which commonly takes about 12 to 15 working days end to end, including document preparation, submission and return delivery.
- Collect the passport once the visa sticker has been placed inside, and check that all the printed details are correct before you travel.
The Chinese Embassy may occasionally ask for additional documents during assessment, sometimes with a short response window, so stay reachable while your application is being processed.
How long can you stay, and can you extend?
A China tourist visa commonly allows a stay of up to 30 days per entry, and it is usually a single-entry visa that must be used within about 90 days of the date it is issued. The exact stay printed on your visa can be aligned with your booked flight dates, so book realistic travel dates that give you enough time in the country.
If your plans change once you are inside China, the visa can, in some cases, be extended or converted to another type through the local Exit and Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau. Extensions are granted at the discretion of the authorities and are not automatic, so never rely on being able to extend. Overstaying your permitted period is treated seriously and can lead to fines, deportation or other legal consequences.
What happens on arrival in China
On arrival, keep your passport, visa, hotel address and return ticket easy to reach. Complete any arrival card handed out on the flight or at the airport. At immigration, present your passport with the valid visa, and be ready to answer simple questions about the purpose and length of your visit.
Many foreign visitors have their fingerprints captured at the border on entry, which is a separate step from any biometrics given during the application. If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel normally registers your stay with the local police for you. If you are staying privately with friends or family, that accommodation should be registered with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking non-refundable flights or hotels before the visa is approved, which is risky if the timeline slips.
- Choosing the wrong visa type, for example applying for a tourist visa when the purpose is clearly business.
- Submitting a passport with less than 6 months of validity or without 2 blank pages.
- Using a photo that does not meet the 33mm by 48mm white-background specification.
- Providing travel dates on the form that do not match the flight and hotel bookings.
- Carrying out paid or profit-making activity on a tourist visa, which is not permitted.
- Leaving the application to the last minute and not allowing for the full 12 to 15 working day processing window.
Tips for the Nepali diaspora and NRNs
The requirements are the same for Nepali passport holders whether you apply from Nepal or live abroad as part of the Nepali diaspora. Only your starting point differs. If you hold a Nepali passport but reside in another country, you generally apply through the Chinese visa centre that serves the region where you legally live, and you may be asked for proof of residence such as a residence permit or long-term visa for that country.
Non-resident Nepalis planning to meet family inside China should keep supporting details, such as the host address and relationship, ready in case they are requested. If you hold a passport from a country other than Nepal, the rules for your nationality may differ, so confirm the correct process for your specific passport before you apply.
When to apply for your China visa
Apply once your travel dates are firm but with enough lead time for the full processing window. Because processing commonly runs to 12 to 15 working days and your passport is held during that period, aim to submit at least three to four weeks before departure. For peak Nepali travel seasons around Dashain and Tihar, apply even earlier, ideally two to three months ahead, as centres are busier and any request for extra documents can add time.
Remember that a tourist visa usually has to be used within about 90 days of issue, so do not apply so early that the visa validity expires before your trip. Balancing these two windows is the key to timing your application well.
Prepare these before you book
- Check that your passport has at least 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages, and renew it early if it is close to expiry.
- Decide your travel dates and the cities you plan to visit so your documents tell one consistent story.
- Keep a bank statement ready that shows sufficient funds to support your trip.
- Confirm whether your purpose is tourism or business so you apply for the correct visa type.
- Have a recent compliant passport photo taken to the correct specification.
- Hold refundable or flexible bookings where possible until the visa is approved.
Travel tips for your China trip
- Carry your passport at all times, as it is your main form of identification while in China.
- Set up a mobile payment option or carry a suitable card, since cash is used less widely in Chinese cities.
- Download offline maps and a translation app before you go, as some familiar apps and services may not work as expected.
- Keep digital and printed copies of your visa, hotel bookings and return tickets.
- Respect local rules, stay within the purpose of your visa, and never overstay your permitted period.
- Save your agent and accommodation contact details so help is easy to reach if plans change.
With the right visa type, complete documents and enough lead time, a China trip from Nepal is very manageable. Prepare early, keep every detail consistent, and let an experienced team guide the CVASC process from application to a passport returned with the visa inside.