Chapter 01
China visa at a glance (2026)
| Visa | Official fee | Processing | Stay | Apply via |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist (L), group of 5+ | PKR 0 (exempt) + Gerry's service fee | About 4 working days | As stated on the visa | bio.visaforchina.cn + Gerry's centre |
| Family visit (Q2 / S2) | PKR 0 (exempt) + Gerry's service fee | About 4 working days | Up to 180 days | bio.visaforchina.cn + Gerry's centre |
| Airside transit up to 24 hours | No visa needed | — | Stay in the airport area | Onward ticket with confirmed seat |
Chapter 02
Is China visa free for Pakistanis in 2026?
No. China is not visa free for Pakistani ordinary passport holders in 2026. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan lists visa exemption for Pakistanis only for diplomatic and official passports (up to 30 days in mainland China and Hong Kong). China's widely reported 30-day visa-free policy covers other nationalities.
The one exemption most Pakistani travellers can use is a direct transit of up to 24 hours, if you have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country and stay within the port area. China's separate 240-hour visa-free transit is published by the National Immigration Administration; we do not believe Pakistan is on that list.
Chapter 03
How much is the China visa fee for Pakistanis?
The China visa fee for Pakistani ordinary passport holders is zero. The Embassy's Visa Processing Time and Fee notice states that ordinary passports from Pakistan are exempt from all types of visa fees. Third-country nationals living in Pakistan pay from PKR 7,200 (single entry).
Gerry's Chinese Visa Application Service Center charges its own service fee, which the Embassy says is not associated with it.
| Cost item | Official amount (as of 13 Oct 2026) | Our service fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| China tourist (L) visa | PKR 0 (exempt) | Quote on WhatsApp | Gerry's fee + service fee |
| China family visit (Q2/S2) visa | PKR 0 (exempt) | Quote on WhatsApp | Gerry's fee + service fee |
| Gerry's centre service fee | Set by Gerry's, paid at the centre | — | — |
More on the China visa fee for Pakistanis and our fees page.
Chapter 04
Can a Pakistani get a China tourist visa as an individual?
The Embassy's published rules describe the tourist (L) visa for Pakistan only as a group visa for at least five people, supported by an "Invitation Letter for Tourist Group" from a Chinese tourism authority, usually requested by a travel agency in China (Embassy instructions). In practice, this means a sightseeing trip to China is planned through a licensed tour operator that works with a Chinese partner agency.
If you are visiting relatives, you apply for a different category:
- Q2: family of a Chinese citizen or Chinese permanent resident, up to 180 days.
- S2: family of a foreigner (including a Pakistani) who lives in China for work or study, up to 180 days.
Do not apply for a business (M) visa for a holiday. The purpose on the form must match your real plans.
Chapter 05
What documents do Pakistanis need for a China visa?
Every Pakistani applicant needs the Embassy's common documents:
- Passport valid for more than 6 months with a blank visa page, plus a copy of the photo page
- Copy of the front and back of your CNIC
- Police character certificate covering "since birth till now", for applicants aged 10 and above, apostilled by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs if it has no verifiable QR code
- Recent white-background digital photo (uploaded on the online form)
Tourist group (L): the Invitation Letter for Tourist Group issued by the Chinese tourism authority.
Family visit (Q2/S2): an invitation letter from your relative in China; a copy of their Chinese ID or passport and residence permit; and proof of relationship such as a birth certificate, nikah nama or FRC, apostilled by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Financial proof (where required): the Embassy's standard is a personal bank statement for the last 6 months with a closing balance of at least USD 100 per day of your stay.
If you are employed
- Salary certificate and employer NOC with leave dates; bank statement showing salary credits
If you run a business
- Business NTN, Chamber of Commerce or SECP registration; business and personal bank statements
If you are a student
- Enrolment letter; parent's sponsorship letter, CNIC and bank statement; police certificate if aged 10+
If you are a housewife or dependent
- Spouse's sponsorship letter, CNIC and bank statement; nikah nama and FRC
If you are retired
- Pension or savings statements; property documents if available
If you are a freelancer
- Bank statement showing regular foreign remittances; FBR tax return; client contracts
Tip: tap an item to tick it off. Your ticks stay on this device.
Chapter 06
How do you apply for a China visa from Pakistan, step by step?
- Find your consular district. Residents of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab apply under the Embassy in Islamabad (the Lahore consulate does not accept applications). Residents of Sindh and Balochistan apply under the Consulate General in Karachi.
- Complete the online form at bio.visaforchina.cn and upload all documents. Gerry's and the Embassy pre-check them online and return incomplete cases.
- Wait for the "Online Visa Approved" email, then submit your passport and originals at Gerry's: Islamabad (Gerry's Building, Park Road) or Lahore (20 Ex American Centre Building, Queen's Road), 9:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday. Karachi applicants use the Chinese Visa Application Service Center Karachi.
- Fingerprints: not needed for short-term visas of 180 days or less from 17 December 2025 to 31 December 2026 (Embassy notice).
- Collect your passport on the date on your pick-up form and check the visa details at the counter.
Chapter 07
How long does a China visa take?
The Chinese Embassy generally needs 4 working days after receiving your passport and does not provide urgent service (Embassy). Add time for the online pre-check and any document requests. A returned application counts as a new one, so the clock restarts. Apply three to four weeks before travel; police certificates and apostille take time too.
Chapter 08
Why do China visas get refused or returned (and how to avoid it)?
China visa applications from Pakistan are most often returned for document problems that the Embassy lists publicly (Most Common Reasons for Returned Applications):
| Problem | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Fake invitation letters or fake bank documents | Use only genuine letters; the Embassy verifies them |
| Police certificate QR code shows nothing or someone else's record | Scan the QR code yourself before submitting; contact MOFA if it fails |
| Funds below USD 100 per day of stay | Show a real 6-month statement with enough closing balance |
| Form details differ from passport or inviter's documents | Copy names, numbers and company names exactly |
| Blurry photo or no personal mobile number | Upload a clear 2-inch photo and your own number |
See also China visa refusal reasons.
Chapter 09
What happens at the airport? (FIA and arrival checks)
FIA immigration in Pakistan checks visit-visa travellers before departure. The FIA FAQ lists a valid passport, return ticket, confirmed hotel booking, sufficient funds and a sound profile; government employees need a departmental NOC. Dawn reported over 66,000 travellers offloaded in 2025 (Dawn, 18 December 2025). Group tourists should carry the tour itinerary and the operator's contact details. Follow our offloading checklist. Nobody can promise you will not be stopped; a complete, genuine file is the best preparation.
The Embassy also published a notice on online submission of China's arrival card (28 November 2025); read it on the Embassy visa page before you fly.
Chapter 10
Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia
Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia apply at the Chinese visa centre in their country of residence, not in Pakistan. Fees and documents there follow that mission's rules, so the Pakistani fee exemption may not apply. Bring your Emirates ID or iqama and residence visa.
Chapter 11
China vs. similar destinations
Chapter 12
Frequently asked questions
Is China visa free for Pakistanis in 2026?
No. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan lists visa exemption for Pakistanis only for diplomatic and official passports (up to 30 days). Ordinary passport holders need a visa, except for a direct airside transit of up to 24 hours.
What is the China visa fee for Pakistanis?
There is no consular fee. The Chinese Embassy states that ordinary passports from Pakistan are exempt from all types of visa fees. Gerry's Chinese Visa Application Service Center charges its own separate service fee.
How long does a China visa take from Pakistan?
The Chinese Embassy generally needs 4 working days after receiving the passport and does not offer urgent or express service. Document requests or an interview can add time.
Can a Pakistani get an individual China tourist visa?
The Embassy's published rules list the tourist (L) visa only for groups of at least 5 people, with an Invitation Letter for Tourist Group from a Chinese tourism authority. Pakistanis visiting relatives use the Q2 or S2 visa instead.
Is a police character certificate required for a China visa?
Yes. Applicants aged 10 and above must submit a police character certificate covering the period since birth, apostilled by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs if it has no verifiable QR code.
How much bank balance is needed for a China visa?
For visas that need financial proof, the Embassy's standard is at least USD 100 per day of stay, shown as the closing balance on your last 6 months' personal bank statement.
Are fingerprints needed for a China visa in Pakistan?
Not for most short visits until 31 December 2026. The Embassy says applicants for short-term visas of 180 days or less are exempt from fingerprinting from 17 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
Where do I apply for a China visa in Pakistan?
Residents of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab apply under the Embassy in Islamabad; residents of Sindh and Balochistan apply under the Consulate General in Karachi. You submit at the Gerry's centre for your area.
Can I work in China on a tourist visa?
No. Working on a visit visa is illegal in China and in Pakistan can lead to prosecution under the Emigration Ordinance.
Chapter 13
How Visit Visa Specialists helps
We confirm the right category (group L, Q2 or S2), help you obtain and check your police certificate and apostille, fill the online form with you, review invitation letters for the details the Embassy checks, and prepare you for FIA checks. There is no consular fee for Pakistanis; Gerry's fee is paid at the centre. Our service fee is separate: tourist file Quote on WhatsApp, family visit file Quote on WhatsApp. The Chinese Embassy makes the decision.
Every fact, checkedSources+
- Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: Visa Processing Time and Fee (28 Apr 2025): Pakistani ordinary passports exempt from all visa fees; 4 working days; no urgent service; Gerry's service fee separate (pk.china-embassy.gov.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: Instruction for Chinese Visa Application (28 Apr 2025): visa types incl. group L, Q2, S2; police certificate; USD 100/day; consular districts; Gerry's process (pk.china-embassy.gov.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: Eight Circumstances for Chinese Visa Exemption (24-hour transit; Pakistani diplomatic/official passports only) (pk.china-embassy.gov.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: fingerprint exemption for short-term visas, 17 Dec 2025 to 31 Dec 2026 (pk.china-embassy.gov.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: Most Common Reasons for Returned Visa Applications (pk.china-embassy.gov.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center Karachi (official centre site) (visaforchina.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- China National Immigration Administration: 240-hour visa-free transit and other visa-free policies (linked by the Embassy) (nia.gov.cn, checked 13 October 2026)
- FIA official FAQ: conditions for visit-visa travellers at Pakistani airports (fia.gov.pk, checked 13 October 2026)
- News (Dawn, 18 Dec 2025): over 66,000 offloaded in 2025 (dawn.com, checked 13 October 2026)
We are an independent private agency, not affiliated with any government. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant authority.
