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How to get a China visa from Gambia
Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for Gambian passport holders travelling to China.
Visa types & fees
3 visa options for travelling to China.
Business visa
Processing time4 working days
Validity30 days
Fee (approx.)$140
Student visa
Processing time4 working days
Validityvariable
Fee (approx.)$140
Tourist visa
Processing time4 business days
Validity30 days
Fee (approx.)$140
Application requirements
Documents Gambian applicants need to provide.
- 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.
Visa type details
Tourist visa
- 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.
Business visa
- 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.
Student visa
- 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.
Where to apply
China embassy & visa application centers in Gambia.
Banjul
AddressChinese Embassy in Banjul, Gambia Estancia Collipeumo Banjul Gambia.
Phone(+220) (32) 3222 1205
Email[email protected]
Websitegm.chinaambassade.com
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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.
Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest China visa
requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.