Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application

(Updated July, 2026)

The new China Online Visa Application System launches at Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste on June 30, 2025. The following application requirements apply to visa application using the new System.

 Individuals eligible under bilateral agreements, the 240-hour transit visa exemption, or unilateral visa exemptions are not required to apply for a visa (click here to see exemption situations).

I. Visa Application Procedure

Applicants should log into the China Online Visa Application Website (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/) to fill out the application form and upload documents online, then have themselves or others (no appointment needed) submit the original passport to the Embassy.

It is recommended to consult the“Guidance on Visa Application”on the website for detailed instructions and lists of required documents for different visa categories.

The specific steps are as follows:

Step 1. Fill in Information Online

Register an account using your email at the top-right “Login”button. Each account may submit applications for multiple individuals, with no limit.

On the homepage, click “Start My Application”, select “Timor-Leste”, fill in information truthfully, upload documents, and submit for preliminary review.

Step 2. Follow Up Online

If supplementary documents or corrections are required, the system will notify you with messages such as “Supplementary Materials to be provided” or “Rejected and to be modified”. Log in periodically to check“Track the status of my application”to upload additional documents, or amend information as required.

Step 3. Submit Documents in Person(no appointment needed)

When the status changes to “Passport to be Submitted”,applicants should submit the following physical documents in person (you may also entrust someone else or an agency to submit the application on your behalf if fingerprints are not required):

1. Printed barcode page from the application system;

2. Original passport;

3. Other documents required by the Embassy

After receiving your documents, the Embassy will conduct a re-review and may notify you via email or phone call to supplement more documents or request an interview.

Step 4. Collect Visa or Returned Passport(no appointment needed)

When the status changes to “Passport to be Collected” or “Review Failed”, please bring the Pick-up Receipt to collect the visa and pay the fee, or retrieve the returned passport.

Important Notes:

--- Please make sure that all the information on the visa is correct when pick up. If there is any inaccuracy, please tell the staff immediately in case inconvenience brought by the incorrect information.

--- According to Chinese law and international practice, the Embassy reserves the right to refuse any visa application without providing reasons.

II. Fingerprint Collection Requirements

1. The following applicants can be exempted from fingerprint collection:

(1) Applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 70;

(2) Diplomatic passport holders, or applicants eligible for diplomatic, service or courtesy visas; 

(3) Applicants who have applied for visas at the Chinese Embassy with the same passport, with fingerprints already collected, within the past five years;

(4) Applicants with all ten fingers amputated or the fingerprint of none of whose ten fingers can be collected;

(5) Applicants within 180 days of stay are exempted from fingerprint collection before and on December 31, 2026, according to the announcement of the Chinese Government.

III. Basic Document Requirements

1. Passport: the original of a passport with over 6 months’validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the information page of the passport

2. Visa Application Form and Photo: a printed copy of the Visa Application Form completed online, and a paper photo that is the same as the one uploaded in the application form

3. Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for visas in their country of citizenship)

4. Previous Chinese passport (applicable to foreign citizens who used to be Chinese citizens) or previous Chinese visas: 

(1) If a foreign citizen who used to be a Chinese citizen is applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, the original of the previous Chinese passport and a photocopy of its information page should be submitted.

(2) If a foreign citizen who was issued a Chinese visa before is applying for a Chinese visa with a different foreign passport, a photocopy of the information page of the previous passport and a photocopy of the previous Chinese visa should be submitted. 

(3) If the name on the current foreign passport differs from that on the previous Chinese passport or the previous Chinese visa, an official document issued by competent authorities on the name change should be submitted.

IV. Visa Types and Required Documents

Annex 1 Contents of S1, S2, Q1, Q2 Visa Invitation Letter

The inviting person’s name XX, gender X, date of birth: XX, Chinese ID number XXX (or foreign passport number XX, Chinese permanent residence card number XX), current address in China is XX, contact phone number XX, email XX.

I hereby invite the following relatives to visit China for a short-term visit/long-term residence. He/She plans to go to China on XX, and stay in China for XX days.

The invited person’s information: name XX, gender X, date of birth XX, nationality XX, passport number XX, and the relative relationship with the inviting person is XX.

The inviting person signature:      Date:

Annex 2 Contents of M，F and L Visa Invitation Letter

1. Personal information of the invited: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.

2. Information about the invited person’s visit to China: reason for coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or person, who will pay for the travel, etc.

3. Inviting party’s information: name, address, telephone number, official seal, legal representative and signature, date, etc. (the information must be included in the text of the invitation letter)

V. Processing Time and Fees

Regular service: 4 business days

Express service: 2-3 business days (urgent situation)

Note: The above processing time is average and for reference only and is calculated from the date of passport submission.

It may take longer time to process certain applications, in which cases the pick-up date cannot be confirmed until the Embassy notifies you via email or phone call.

The Pick-up Receipt issued by the Embassy will indicate the earliest estimated date for pick-up. Please check your online application status on or after that date. When the status shows “Passport to be collected”, you may come to the visa office for pick-up.

  Only cash will be accepted for payment.

For visa processing fees, please click here.  

VI. Address and Contact Information of the Visa Office

Address of the Visa Office:

Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili, Timor-Leste 

Office Hours:

9:30-12:00 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, closed on weekends and holidays) 

Email address: dili@csm.mfa.gov.cn 

Phone number:

00670-3325169（09:30-12:00、14:30-17:00，except weekend and holidays）

Please follow the instruction of the staff upon entry to the Visa Office.