If you come to Shanghai on holiday, you might need to apply for an L (tourist) visa before you arrive. Work out what you need to do to apply.

Who can apply

Foreigners coming to the Chinese mainland for travel. 

How to apply 

You can apply for the visa online at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

Documents required:

• Original passport 
• One Visa Application Form completed online, printed and signed by hand 
• A color passport photo taken within 6 months
• A round-trip flight ticket booking confirmation and itinerary in China
• Proof of a hotel reservation or an Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by a relevant unit or individual in China.

How to extend your visa

If you are in Shanghai and want to extend your tourist visa, you can submit an application to the Exit-Entry Administration of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau

Address: No 1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area

Business Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

You can make an appointment at the website of Government Online-Offline Shanghai. 

Required documents 

• Original, valid passport and visa;
• A completed Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form for Foreigners, and then go to the exit-entry administration of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau in person to take a free photograph;
• Travel itinerary and, if with a group tour, a certification letter from the travel agency.

Service hotline

If you have problems with your visa application, call 021-12367, the service hotline of the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. 

Click here for more information about applying for an L-visa extension.