China visa requirements for Gambians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Gambians visiting China

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Chinese Visa.

  • A Gambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (48mm x 33mm), against a white or blue background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

China Visa for Gambians

Facts about China

China, officially the People's Republic of China is a country in East Asia and the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.404 billion in 2017. Covering approximately 9,600,000 square kilometres, it is the third or fourth-largest country by total area.  China’s political system was based on hereditary Monarchies or dynasties beginning with the semi-mythical Xia dynasty in 21st Century BCE.


China as a whole was ravaged by feudal warlordism with Japan during World War II. The Chinese civil war resulted in a division of territory in 1949 when the communist party of China led by Mao Zedong established the people’s republic of China on mainland China. Also the Kuomintang led nationalist government retreated to the Island of Taiwan where it governed until 1996 when Taiwan changed to democracy.


China’s economy has been one of the world’s fastest-growing with its annual growth rates consistently above 6 per cent. According to the World bank China’s GDP grew from $150 billion in 1978 to $12.24 trillion in 2017. In 2018, its GDP increased to $13.5 trillion (90 trillion yuan). Since 2010, China has been the country with the world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP and the largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity in 2014.


China is also the world’s largest exporter and second-largest importer of goods and also the home to some of the world’s largest tech giants such as Huawei, Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba as it is the world’s most technologically advanced nation. Since 2019, China has the highest number of rich people in the world.

Types of China Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 4 business days 30 days
Student visa 4 working days variable
Business visa 4 working days 30 days

General Requirements for China Visa

  • A Gambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (48mm x 33mm), against a white or blue background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
China Tourist visa China Student visa China Business visa

China Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Chinese tourist visa is for Gambians intending to visit China for sightseeing, leisure, vacation or tourism purposes.
  • The Chinese tourist visa is also known as the Type L visa. It is a short-stay visa valid for a period of 30 days. This visa is non-extendable.
  • The currency restriction for entry and exit to China is 20,000 Renminbi.
  • If traveling with an organized tour group, you might not have an individual visa in your passport.  Instead, the tour group will be issued a group tour visa bearing all the members' names. In such a situation, supply your details to the travel agency beforehand and you will have no further concerns.
  • Travelers going to China independently will need to handle visa affairs on their own.
  • Applicants traveling alone are required to provide an invitation letter. If you are traveling with an official tour group, you do not need to provide an invitation.
  • The currency used in China is Yuan Renminbi. Dollars or any foreign currency are not accepted.
  • Travelers are required to have 300 Yuan per day to cover their daily finances.
  • The TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region) requires special permits for tourist travel, most often obtained through a Chinese travel agent. If you enter a restricted area without the requisite permit, you could be fined, taken into custody, and deported for illegal entry.
  • Travelers are required to register within 24 hours of arrival into China. Failure to register with the police within 24 hours of arrival in the country could result in fines and deportation. You can register with the hotel staff or the local police station. 
  • Foreigners are required to carry their passport visas at all times.
  • Police, school administrators, transportation officials, and hotel staff may check your visa to make sure you have not overstayed. If you overstay your visa’s duration, you may be denied service by hotels, airports and train stations, as well as face fines and detention.
  • Police regularly conduct unannounced drug tests on people suspected of drug use - including foreign citizens. Police may require you to provide a urine, blood, or hair follicle sample on short notice, and may force you to participate in the collection. 
  • Be cautious when using taxi services, especially at airports. Avoid unlicensed “black cabs,” insist that the driver use the meter, and get a receipt. Have the name of your destination written in Chinese characters and ask the driver to remove the bags from the trunk before you get out of the taxi and before you pay.
  • Counterfeit currency is a significant concern in China.
  • Carrying small bills or using exact change, particularly in taxis, can help protect you. Use only ATMs at trusted financial institutions.

China Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Gambians who are intending to travel to China for business purposes can apply for the Chinese business visa.
  • Gambians can apply for a business visa if they want to travel to China to attend any of the following: business meetings, summits, conferences, trade fairs, etc.
  • Travelers going for a trade fair or conference are required to provide proof of registration or invitation.
  • You are required to submit an invitation letter from the partner Chinese company serving as your host in the country.
  • The invitation letter should contain the following:
    • Your full name, gender, date of birth and other biographical information.
    • The purpose of your visit to China and how long you intend to stay in China.
    • Proof of accommodation such as a hotel address and contact details of the hotel.
    • Your arrival and departure dates.
    • Financial source to cover your entire stay in China.
    • Proof of previous relations between you and the partner company.
    • Your host’s name, contact details and the official stamp and signature of the legal representative of your Chinese host.
  • The business license of your company or certificated business license by the Foreign Ministry must be submitted too.
  • You are required to submit your bank statements for the last 3 months as proof of financial means.

China Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • Gambians intending to travel to China to study must apply for the Chinese student visa.
    • There are two types of Chinese student visa:
      • X1 student visa -- this is a long-term study visa valid for more than 180 days.
      • X2 student visa -- this visa is a short-term study visa valid for 180 days or less.
    • To study in China for more than 6 months, you are to provide proof that you have taken the physical examination record for foreigners.
    • Before you apply for the Chinese student visa you must have been offered admission to study a course at a Chinese university. You have to provide the original and photocopy of your letter of admission issued by the Chinese school.
    • X1 visa holders shall apply for a temporary residence permit from the local exit and entry administration within 30 days upon entry into China. The temporary residence permit can be issued with a validity of up to 5 years.
    • Within the validity of the temporary residence permit, students can travel in and out of mainland China freely.
    • X2 holders can stay in China within the duration period as indicated on the visa, and it is not necessary for them to apply for the temporary residence permit.
    • When the study in China ends, X1 visa holders should go to the local exit and entry administration to cancel the temporary residence permit and apply for a 30-day tourist visa with zero entry to avoid problems.
    • You are not permitted to work on the X type visa. But part-time work and off-campus internships may be authorized. You should contact your university or employer after you have settled in China to see what can be arranged.
    • For foreign students who work in violation of Chinese regulations or beyond the prescribed scope of jobs or time limit, they shall be deemed unlawful employment and will probably have to stop or be expelled.
    • You must provide proof that you can cater to your financial needs including paying the tuition fees for the entire period of your studying.
    • The average tuition fees are between 8,000 and 11,000 USD/year.

    China Visa Fees

    Visa Type

    Sub Types

    Visa Fees

    Tourist visa

    140.00 (USD)

    Student visa

    140.00 (USD)

    Business visa

    140.00 (USD)

    China Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Gambia

    Location

    Address

    Banjul

    Chinese Embassy in Banjul, Gambia Estancia Collipeumo Banjul Gambia.

    gm.chinaambassade.com

    chinaembgm@mfa.gov.cn

    (+220) (32) 3222 1205

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much money will I need in China?

    Firstly, you cannot bring in more than $5,000 USD, or CNY 20,000, into China without declaring it and having the relevant paperwork. You should only bring enough cash for your immediate needs, for taxis, snacks, and the likes.

    What should I not wear in China?

    Shirts that are low-cut, or leave shoulders and backs mostly bare, should be avoided. Similarly, it's safer not to wear incredibly short dresses, skirts, or shorts when you are deciding what to wear in China. Also, sweatpants should also be avoided as casual streetwear.

    Is China safe for tourists?

    While there are, as with any country, precautions one should take when traveling to and around China, it is generally a safe and breathtaking country to visit.

    What is China famous for?

    Ancient China was the land of the invention. For centuries, China was much more advanced than most other countries in science and technology, astronomy and math. The Chinese invented paper, the magnetic compass, printing, tea porcelain, silk, gunpowder, among other things.

    Traveling to buy goods?