# China visa requirements for ZA passport holders

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Passport | ZA |
| Destination | China (CN) |
| Requirement | visa required |
| Fee | Varies by nationality (reciprocity) — commonly US$140; standard rate US$185 |
| Processing time | 4–5 working days standard; 2–3 express; same-day rush at some posts |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens?action=render |
| Verification | category and stay length from public references, not yet government-verified |

## Documents required
- Passport with adequate remaining validity and blank pages
- Online application completed via the COVA system
- Photograph meeting China's specification (33 × 48 mm, white background) — photo non-compliance is a leading rejection cause
- Submission in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre or consulate (biometrics may be required)
- Supporting documents for the trip; flight and hotel bookings are no longer required as of January 2024

## Notes
24-hour visa-free transit through any international airports of China, allows domestic travel through different airports.[Note 1] 5-day Shenzhen Visa on Arrival available at the Shenzhen border if travelling from Hong Kong or Macao. Visa holders must stay within the Shenzhen City and surrounds, not travel to other cities and leave at the end of the 5 day permission. Travelling to Guangzhou would b

## Can this stay be extended from inside the country?
- Possible inside: **yes**
- Must leave the country: **no**
- Cost: CNY 160–200

Usually a single extension of 30 days. Longer extensions are rarely granted on a tourist visa, and normally only one extension per entry is allowed.

**Cost detail.** Roughly CNY 160–200 (about USD 22–28), paid at the Public Security Bureau. Published figures start as low as CNY 50 depending on city and visa type.

**How.** Apply in person at the Exit-Entry Administration of the local Public Security Bureau at least 7 working days before your permitted stay ends. Bring your passport, the application form, accommodation proof, bank statements and a stated reason. Decisions take about 5–7 working days.

**If you cannot extend.** If you entered under the 30-day visa-free scheme rather than on an L visa, that stay is not routinely extendable — extensions are granted only for genuine emergencies such as illness or natural disaster.

---
HTML version: https://urgentvisa.org/en/visa/za/china.html
Structured JSON: https://urgentvisa.org/api/visa?passport=za&destination=china
MCP server: https://urgentvisa.org/mcp
Source: Urgent VISA - https://urgentvisa.org - licence https://urgentvisa.org/license.xml