China Visa Requirements for Philippine Passport Holders

Are you ready to cross the Great Wall of China off your bucket list? This country is a treasure trove full of iconic sights and cities both ancient and modern. Once you’ve got a taste, you’re sure to come back for seconds! But before you can visit all these marvellous places, you need to take care of your Chinese visa for Filipinos.

This article will cover which Chinese destinations Philippine citizens need a visa for, how long you can stay, what documents you need to apply and how to prepare and submit your application. There’s also a section that gives answers to frequently asked questions to give you all the details you need ahead of your trip.

Everything is explained clearly step by step to make it simple and easy to understand. These instructions are intended for Philippine passport holders, so if there are people of other nationalities in your travel group, you may also want to check out our general China visa information here.

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Does China Require a Visa for Filipino Visitors?

In most cases, yes, Philippine citizens need to get a Chinese visa before travelling to this country. However, there are some exceptions.

Visa-Free Chinese Destinations for Filipinos

• Macao. Visit for up to 30 days visa-free.
• Hong Kong. Visit for up to 14 days visa-free.
• Hainan Province. Visit for up to 30 days by getting a Visa on Arrival upon landing at the airport. You must apply through a local travel agency beforehand.

You do need to get a visa if you want to visit the Chinese mainland to see the Great Wall, the giant pandas of Chengdu and the capital city of Beijing, to name just a few top sights.

It is not currently possible to get your China visa online with Byevisa, but this guide will walk you through the details of how to get your authorisation by applying in person at the embassy.

China Visa Requirements for Filipino Tourists

Here are the documents you need to gather to get your tourist visa:

• Your Philippine passport.
  • Must be valid for at least 6 months.
  • Must have at least 1 blank page.
• A photocopy of your passport’s biodata page (with your photo and personal details).
• A photocopy of your passport’s emergency contact page.
• 2 colour passport-style photos of you.
  • The photo size must be 33 mm wide by 48 mm high.
  • The photo requirements are quite strict, so make sure to check the official embassy page here before you get yours taken.
• Your completed application form (more about this below).
• Your planned travel itinerary.
• Your reserved roundtrip airplane ticket.
• Your hotel reservation.
• If you will be visiting somebody, an invitation letter and a copy of the Chinese passport, residence permit or ID of the person inviting you.
• Your application form (more about this below).

If this is your first Chinese visa as a Filipino citizen, you also require:

• A bank certificate and a bank statement for the past 6 months and receipt for payment of the bank certificate.
  • You must have sufficient funds to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and daily expenses.
• A BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form.
• If you have one, your professional or student ID.
• A Certificate of Employment that specifies your salary and duration of employment.
• Your Business Registration Certificate if you are the business owner.
• If applicable, any other relevant documents you can use to prove your economic stability or employment or study, or a letter explaining your reason for travelling.

If this is not your first time, you also require:

• A copy of your previous Chinese visa.
• If the expired visa is in your expired passport, you will also need that passport.

China Visa Application for the Philippines

Here we walk you through the entire application process:

1. Reserve your roundtrip flight tickets and hotel accommodation for the entirety of your stay.
Tip: look for hotel options with free cancellation and simply reserve your flights rather than buying them. You can do this directly with some airlines, or with a travel agency.

2. Gather the necessary documents listed in the section above.

3. Download the visa application form from the embassy website.

4. Fill out the application form (more details below).

5. Go in person to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines (no appointment required).

• Address: 2nd Floor, the World Center. 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue. Makati City, Metro Manila.
• You can submit your application any day Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 11 am only. It’s best to get there before 9 am as people will already be lined up outside.
• Wait in line to enter the building. When you enter, you will receive a number on a slip of paper. Wait for your number to be called. You may be waiting for more than an hour, so take a book or something to keep you occupied.
• When your number is called, you’ll go up to the window, present your documents, and answer any questions you may be asked. You will leave your passport and other documents, and you will receive a pink slip of paper that says when to come back and pick up your documents. This is usually in 4 working days.

6. Go back to the embassy to pick up your documents.

• You’ll get a number to make your payment of the processing fee. Wait until your number is called, make the payment and get a receipt.
• Line up to receive your passport and visa. (Hope you brought that book again!)

Tips for Filling Out Your China Visa Application Form From the Philippines

• Download the form from the embassy website.
• Open the downloaded document on your computer and fill it out by typing in capital English letters. DO NOT fill out the form by hand.
• Make sure not to leave any of the fields blank. If necessary, type N/A for ‘not applicable’.
• Paste one of your passport-style photos to the form as indicated. Use glue; do not use tape, staples or paper clips.
• Make sure to read the complete list of photo requirements as they are very strict (see link above). For example, you can’t wear earrings, necklaces or a white shirt in your picture.

How Much Is the Chinese Visa Fee for Filipinos?

The price depends on the type of authorisation you are issued. This will depend on the documents you turn in, such as your itinerary detailing your plans.

Single-Entry document: 29 USD

Double-Entry document: 44 USD

Multiple-Entry document valid for 6 months: 58 USD

Multiple-entry document valid for 1 year: 87 USD.

Philippines Embassy and Consulate in China

Should you need assistance during your time abroad, you can contact the embassy in Beijing, located on Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue, a major street in the urban city centre.

The consular hours are 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. There is also a 24-hour emergency number for Philippine nationals to use in the case of medical or legal emergencies only: +86 139 1118 0495.

For other issues, for example if your passport has been lost or stolen, you can write to the email address beijing.pe@dfa.gov.ph or call by telephone during office hours. That number is +86 138 1112 0334.

Travelling to China as a Filipino

When you fly to China from the Philippines, your flight time will depend on your origin and destination cities. To give an example, it takes between 4 and 5 hours to fly from Manila to Beijing.

Depending on your itinerary, you may want to compare flight times and prices in different destination cities, like Shanghai, Shenzhen or Chengdu.

What about time zones? Both countries use the same time zone (UTC+8), so there is no time difference to worry about. This makes it easy and convenient to stay in touch with your friends and family back home during your trip abroad.

China Visa FAQs for Filipinos

Have you still got some additional questions about your trip? You are not the only one! Check out the answers to commonly asked questions from other travellers.

Can I Submit My Application by Mail?

No, you have to go to the embassy in person. If you cannot go, another person can go in your place as long as they take all of your documents.

How Long Does It Take to Get the Visa?

The regular processing time is 4 working days. It may be possible to get yours faster if you pay an additional fee, but this option is only open to you if this is not your first time applying.

Is There an Electronic Visa for China from the Philippines?

No, there is no e-visa at this time. If one becomes available in the future, Byevisa will provide instructions on how to apply online.

Do I Need a China Transit Visa for Filipinos?

There is a 24-hour transit visa exemption available for foreigners of all nationalities when travelling through China to reach another country. You must plan to be in the country for less than 24 hours. Confirm your eligibility with your local Chinese embassy, and be sure to inform your airline of your intention to obtain an exemption before your travel date.

Can All Filipinos Travel to China?

Yes, as long as you fulfil the requirements and get your visa. You have to prove that you can financially afford the trip and that you plan to return to the Philippines. That’s why you have to submit the documents about your employment or studies and explain the purpose of your trip.

Is It Safe for Filipinos to Travel to China?

Yes, this is considered a safe destination. However, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind when you travel. These include not drinking the tap water, keeping an eye out for pickpockets, checking pollution alerts and staying inside or wearing a mask on high pollution days. Also, always be careful when crossing the street, even when the pedestrian light is green.

How Many Filipinos Are in China?

According to the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, about 230,000 Filipinos call China home. This includes Hong Kong, which is a popular destination for immigrants.

More Information About Visiting China

To learn more about this destination ahead of your trip, have a look at our collection of articles about travelling to China here.