Asia
China visa
Beijing
The rule most people get wrong here is that China's 30-day visa-free entry is for UAE *citizens*, not UAE residents — if you hold an Emirates ID but an Indian, Pakistani, British or Filipino passport, it does not apply to you and you will need a visa. Applications are lodged in person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Dubai, because biometrics are taken there; this is not an online process. Worth knowing separately: if China is a stop on the way somewhere else, the 240-hour visa-free transit rules may cover you without any visa at all, provided you hold a confirmed onward ticket. We check the transit route first — it is often the cheaper answer.
How the process works
Free eligibility check
We confirm which visa applies to your nationality and residency.
Document preparation
Your file is reviewed and corrected before anything is submitted.
Appointment & submission
We book the appointment and guide you through biometrics.
Tracking & collection
We track the application and hand back your passport.
Documents you'll usually need
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages
- UAE residence visa copy (valid at least 3 months)
- Emirates ID copy (front and back)
- Recent passport-size photographs to embassy specification
- Bank statements for the last 3-6 months
- Employment contract or NOC letter from your employer
- Confirmed flight and hotel reservations
- Travel medical insurance for the trip duration
Requirements vary. China may ask for additional documents depending on your nationality and purpose of travel. Send us your details and we'll confirm the exact list before you start.
Guides for China
Written by our visa desk in Dubai, and kept current.
Other Asia destinations
