A 2026 double-entry China visa costs 1.5 to 2 times the price of a single-entry visa, and a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa costs 2.5 to 4 times the single-entry rate. Both are worth purchasing if your confirmed travel itinerary includes exiting and re-entering mainland China within the visa’s validity window. All information in this guide is reviewed and updated on October 23, 2026, by the HXXC Travel visa processing team, which has supported more than 12,000 international inbound travelers to China since 2015.
Key facts at a glance
- All policy details in this guide are verified as of October 23, 2026, by HXXC Travel’s in-house visa team based in Jiangmen, Guangdong
- Standard 10-year multiple-entry tourist visas for eligible nationalities allow stays of up to 90 days per visit, with no limit on total number of entries
- Double-entry tourist visas issued as of 2026 allow a maximum stay of 30 days per entry, with two total entries permitted within 90 days of the visa issue date
- Single-entry 30-day China tourist visa fees range from $30 USD to $140 USD depending on your country of citizenship, as of November 2026
- Eligibility for 12-month and 10-year multiple-entry visas is limited to citizens of 57 pre-approved countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most EU member states
- All visas listed in this guide apply to mainland China only; separate entry arrangements are required for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan
Double-entry China visa: use cases and value
A double-entry visa grants two separate, full entries to mainland China, each with the maximum 30-day stay allowance printed on the visa sticker. It is the lowest cost option for travelers who have a confirmed, non-refundable itinerary that includes a single international exit from mainland China during their trip. Common valid use cases include a multi-stop tour that leaves Shanghai for a 3-day layover in Seoul before returning to Chengdu for a panda base tour, or a traveler based in Guangzhou that takes a 2-day side trip to Macau before flying home out of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.
US citizens currently pay US$140 for any ordinary China visa — single, double or multiple entry — under the temporary fee reduction that runs to 31 December 2026 (the standard fee is US$185). UK applicants pay £64 for a single, double or six-month multiple-entry visa, £128 for a five-year multiple-entry visa and £191 for a ten-year one, again under the reduced schedule. Because the reduction is time-limited, check your local mission’s current fee table before budgeting.
Multiple-entry China visa: eligibility and cost breakdown
Multiple-entry tourist visas allow unlimited entries to mainland China for the full validity period printed on the document, making them a cost-saving option for travelers who plan to visit China more than once over the next 1 to 10 years.
12-month multiple-entry tourist visa
This visa grants unlimited entries over a 12-month window, with a maximum 30-day stay per entry. As of November 2026, eligibility requires proof of at least one prior entry to mainland China on a valid tourist, business, or family visit visa within the last 5 years. The fee for a 12-month multiple-entry visa is typically 2 to 3 times the standard single-entry tourist visa rate for your nationality. It is most popular with travelers who visit China 2 to 3 times per year for short leisure trips or to meet with local suppliers for small business operations.
10-year multiple-entry tourist visa
Only citizens of countries that hold reciprocal visa fee agreements with China qualify for this 10-year document, including the US, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. It allows a maximum 90-day stay per entry, with no cap on total number of entries over the full 10-year validity period. For US citizens the fee is the same US$140 whether you apply for a single, double or ten-year multiple-entry visa during the current reduction period, so the ten-year option costs no more than a single trip’s visa. If you expect to visit China more than twice in ten years, the multiple-entry visa is the obvious choice..
We do not recommend purchasing a 10-year multiple-entry visa if you only plan to visit China one time, as the longer validity period does not grant any extra benefits for a single short trip.
Scenarios where these visas are not worth buying
There are three common situations where paying extra for a double or multiple-entry visa delivers no practical value. The first is if you are only visiting mainland China one time, with no confirmed plans to cross an international border or visit a Special Administrative Region during your trip. A standard single-entry tourist visa will cover all your entry needs at the lowest possible cost.
The second scenario is if you qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit. As of November 2026, 240-hour visa-free transit is available at 37 Chinese ports of entry, including Guangzhou Baiyun, Shanghai Pudong, and Beijing Capital Airport, for citizens of 57 countries. This policy allows you to stay in China for up to 6 full days without any pre-applied visa, as long as you can show a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within the 6-day window. Travelers using this scheme do not need to pay any visa fee at all.
The third scenario is if your passport is set to expire within the next 12 months. Multiple-entry China visas are tied directly to your passport, and the entire 10-year visa becomes invalid the moment your old passport expires. Travelers with less than 18 months of remaining validity on their passport should renew their passport first before applying for a long-term multiple-entry visa.
How to apply for double and multiple-entry China visas in 2026
Most applicants can submit their applications directly via their local Chinese consulate, with standard processing times of 8 to 10 working days as of November 2026. HXXC Travel offers certified visa processing support for international inbound clients, which typically cuts approval time to 4 working days for eligible applicants, for a small service fee on top of the consulate’s official visa cost.
Required base documentation for all visa types includes a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity, a fully completed official visa application form, one recent 2-inch color passport photo with a white background, and a confirmed travel itinerary showing proof of your exit flight from mainland China within your permitted stay period. For multiple-entry visa applicants, you will also need to submit clear copies of all previous Chinese visas in your passport to prove your prior travel history to China.
All travelers should re-check official Chinese consulate entry rules for their specific nationality no less than 2 weeks before their scheduled departure date, as visa policies are subject to periodic adjustment.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in China on a multiple-entry visa?
As of November 2026, standard 12-month multiple-entry tourist visas allow a maximum stay of 30 days per entry, while 10-year multiple-entry tourist visas for eligible nationalities allow a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. There is no mandatory waiting period between entries, but border control officers may ask to see proof of your onward travel plans if you enter China again within 7 days of leaving.
Do I need a double-entry visa if I am traveling from mainland China to Hong Kong then back to mainland China?
Yes. Hong Kong is a separate Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls, so exiting mainland China to visit Hong Kong counts as a full international exit for the purposes of your China visa. A single-entry visa will be fully used up the moment you clear mainland immigration to leave for Hong Kong, and you will not be allowed to re-enter mainland China on that same visa.
Can I upgrade my single-entry China visa to a double-entry visa after I arrive in China?
No. You cannot modify the type or number of entries on your China tourist visa after you enter the country. If you hold a single-entry visa and decide mid-trip that you want to leave mainland China and re-enter, you will need to apply for a new visa at a Chinese consulate in a neighboring country before you can return.
Are multiple-entry China visas valid for work travel?
No. All tourist class visas, including multiple-entry 10-year visas, only allow you to conduct leisure travel, visit friends and family, and attend business meetings that do not involve paid work or formal employment. Any type of paid work, volunteer work longer than 30 days, or formal commercial activity requires a separate work or business visa.
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