China visa requirements for Malaysians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Malaysians visiting China

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

  • Original Malaysian passport and old passports, if any
  • Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival in China, with a minimum of two blank pages
  • Confirmed return air tickets.
  • Day-wise itinerary of your stay in China
  • Visa application form duly filled and signed
  • 2 recent passport-size color photographs taken against a white background with matte-finish (size 48 mm x 33 mm and 70% face close-up)
  • Covering letter mentioning details of travel.
  • Original bank statements reflecting transactions of the last 6 months.
  • Hotel confirmation details.
  • Proof of civil ties to the home country.
  • Means of subsistence for your duration of stay.

China Visa for Malaysians

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
Business visa 4 working days 30 days +
Tourist visa 4 working days 30 days +
Work visa 4 working days more than 30 days
Student visa 4 working days more than 30 days

General Requirements for China Visa

  • Original Malaysian passport and old passports, if any
  • Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival in China, with a minimum of two blank pages
  • Confirmed return air tickets.
  • Day-wise itinerary of your stay in China
  • Visa application form duly filled and signed
  • 2 recent passport-size color photographs taken against a white background with matte-finish (size 48 mm x 33 mm and 70% face close-up)
  • Covering letter mentioning details of travel.
  • Original bank statements reflecting transactions of the last 6 months.
  • Hotel confirmation details.
  • Proof of civil ties to the home country.
  • Means of subsistence for your duration of stay.
China Business visa China Tourist visa China Work visa China Student visa

China Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Chinese business visa is issued to Malaysians traveling to China for business purposes.
  • It is also known as the M visa.
  • This visa is valid for 30 days but can be extended from 60-90 days.
  • An invitation letter issued by a Chinese business or trade partner is required. The Invitation letter or confirmation letter of invitation can also be issued by duly authorized Chinese institutes or relevant units.
  • The china invitation letter for business should include the applicant information(date of birth, full name and passport number). The letter should contain information about the intended business visit, including purpose, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.
  • Information about the inviter including name, contact number, address, signature, official stamp, etc. should also be stated in the letter.
  • After entering China, if the duration of stay cannot cover your trip, it’s possible to go to the local exit and entry administration to apply for a China business visa extension at least seven days before the original M visa expires. 
  • An International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever is required.
  • If the applicant is employed the following documents should be provided:
    • Salary slips for the last 6 months
    • Original leave letter from employer.
  • Any person suffering from a mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China.

China Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Chinese tourist visa is issued to Malaysians traveling to China for tourism and visitation purposes.
  • The Chinese tourist visa is also known as a Type L visa.
  • This visa is valid for 30 days but can be extended from 60-90 days.
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required from the applicant.
  • Letter of invitation from tour organization or relative to be visited in China stating the exact duration of stay and purpose of the visit is required.
  • Documents showing the itinerary including proof of round trip ticket booking should be provided.
  • Applicants are to provide proof of accommodation or hotel reservation.
  • if you are being invited to China, you can submit an invitation letter issued by the inviter, whether it's an entity or individual.
  • The applicant under age 18 must submit a signed letter of consent signed by both parents, a copy of the minor's birth certificate and a copy of the passports or photo IDs of both parents.
  • Copy of most recent bank statements or a letter from the bank of at least $125 per day verifying that the applicant has sufficient funds during the stay.
  • Applicants who intend to travel to Tibet must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, which can be obtained from Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region by travel agencies.
  • Currency restriction for entry into and exit out of China is Max RMB 20,000.
  • Visitors are required to register their stay in 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 hotel staff or the local police station. 
  • Local regulations require foreigners to carry valid passports at all times.
  • Entry and exit requirements are strictly enforced, as are restrictions on activities allowed by any particular visa class. 
  • 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 of stay, you may be denied service by hotels, airports and train stations, as well as face fines and detention.

China Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A Chinese work visa is issued to foreigners who are going to China for a paid job offer or to undertake commercial entertainment performances in China.
  • It is also known as the Z visa.
  • The china Z visa only allows a stay duration of 30 days from the date of arrival in China.
  • The applicant"s employer and the applicant must seek a temporary residence permit for the duration of your contract, to a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 5 years.
  • The age limit for the China work visa is 18-60.
  •  Applicants need to submit one of the following work permits obtained through their employers in China:
    •  Foreigners Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC.
    • Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries (regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration.
    • An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs.
    • Invitation Letter to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations issued by National Offshore Oil Corporation.
  • You are required to submit a medical form.
  • Criminal history check which has been notarized and authentic should also be submitted.
  • Proof of paid visa fees.

China Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Chinese student visa is issued to Malaysia  traveling to China for study purposes.
  • There are two types of Chinese student visa:
    • X1 student visa: this is a long-term study visa and it is valid for more than 180 days.
    • X2 student visa: this visa is a short-term study visa and it is valid for 180 days or less.
  • To 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 also submit the original and photocopy of the “Visa Application for Study in China” form (called Form JW201 or Form JW202).
  • You must provide proof that you can cater to your financial needs including paying the tuition fees for the entire period of your studying.
  • To study in China for more than 6 months, you are to provide proof that you have taken the physical examination record for foreigners.

China Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Business visa

100.00 (USD)

Tourist visa

100.00 (USD)

Work visa

100.00 (USD)

Student visa

100.00 (USD)

China Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Malaysia

Location

Address

Kuala Lumpur

Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, 150 Tanglin Road, Malaysia.

my.chineseambassade.com

cn@tm.com.my

(+60) 3-2142 8495

Frequently Asked Questions

Is living in China expensive?

 Living in the center of the city is more expensive ranging upwards of 3000 – 5000 RMB depending on the city and the area of town.

Is it safe in China?

China is currently under no major threats. In fact, China has a low murder rate. However, travelers are often victims of petty crime such as theft, crime, and scams.

How much cash should I take to China?

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

Can you use credit cards in China?

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, Federal, and Million cards are accepted in China, although you may use your credit card at mid-sized to large hotels, restaurants and other businesses in most major cities, you'll find very few or no takers in rural areas.