Visas

Visas, Documents and Embassies

Once inside the country, a Chinese visa can be extended for an extra 30 days on up to two separate occasions by visiting the Foreign Affairs Section of the Public Security Bureau. Extensions vary in price, depending on your nationality. American travellers pay 185 yuan (US$23) for the privilege. Expect to wait up to five days for your visa extension to be processed. You will also need to provide two passport photos. First-time extensions are generally easy to obtain. However, the second extension is much more difficult and will certainly involve a lot of luck and may only bestow an extra week.

The fine for overstaying your visa is officially 500 yuan (US$65) per day, but all manner of lengthy extensions and conversions to different categories of visa are widely available through agents for a fee.

It is wise to carry your passport with you at all times, because you will need it to register in hotels, buy airplane tickets or change money. If you lose your passport, you should report it immediately to your embassy, as well as to a Public Security Bureau near where you are staying.

If staying any length of time, it is wise to apply for a residence permit from the local Public Security Bureau; you, along with your host, must register with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours if residing in a private home (72 hours in rural areas).

The main Foreign Affairs Branch of the Beijing Public Security Bureau is at 2 Andingmen Dongdajie (8:30 a.m.–noon and 1–4:30 p.m., Monday–Saturday. Contacts are: +86 10 8401 5292 and http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn/). The visa office is on the second floor on the eastern side of the building.

Branches of Exit-Entry Administration of the Beijing

Municipal Public Security Bureau

Chaoyang Branch

Address: 2F Jingguang Building,

Chaoyang District

朝阳区京广大厦商务楼二层

Open: 9–11:30 a.m. and 1–4:30 p.m.

Monday–Friday

How to get there: Bus 9, 112, 118, 350, 729, 835

Haidian Branch

Address: 67 Fucheng Lu, Haidian District

海淀区阜成路67号（空军总院斜对面）

Open: 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–5 p.m.

Monday–Friday

How to get there: Bus 121, 335, 601, 603, 645, 967

Embassies in Beijing

Generally, embassies are open from 9 a.m.–noon and 1.30–4 p.m., Monday to Friday. For visa applications, consulates tend to be closed in the afternoons.

Australia

Address: 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie

Chaoyang District

朝阳区东直门外大街21号

Tel: +86 10 6532 2331

Canada

Address: 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie

Chaoyang District

朝阳区东直门外大街19号

Tel: +86 10 6532 3536

France

Address: 3 Dongsan Jie, Sanlitun,

Chaoyang District

朝阳区三里屯东三街3号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1331

Germany

Address: 17 Dongzhimenwai Dajie,

Chaoyang District

朝阳区东直门外大街17号

Tel: +86 10 6532 2161

India

Address: 1 Ritan Donglu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区日坛东路1号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1908

Ireland

Address: 3 Ritan Donglu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区日坛东路3号

Tel: +86 10 6532 2691

Italy

Address: 2 Sanlitun Dong'erjie, Chaoyang District

朝阳区三里屯东二街2号

Tel: +86 10 6532 2131

Japan

Address: 7 Ritan Donglu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区日坛东路7号

Tel: +86 10 6532 2361

Mongolia

Address: 2 Xiushui Beijie, Chaoyang District

朝阳区秀水北街2号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1203

Netherlands

Address: 4 Liangmahe Nanlu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区亮马河南路4号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1131

New Zealand

Address: 1 Ritan Dong'erjie, Chaoyang District

朝阳区日坛东二街1号

Tel: +86 10 6532 2731

Russia

Address: 4 Dongzhimen Beizhongjie

朝阳区东直门北中街4号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1381

Singapore

Address: 1 Xiushui Beijie, Chaoyang District

朝阳区秀水北街1号

Tel: +86 10 6532 3926

Thailand

Address: 40 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区光华路40号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1903

United Kingdom

Address: 11 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区光华路11号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1961

United States of America

Address: 3 Xiushui Beijie, Chaoyang District

朝阳区秀水北街3号

Tel: +86 10 6532 3831

Vietnam

Address: 32 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区光华路32号

Tel: +86 10 6532 1155