China visa requirements for Sierra Leoneans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Sierra Leoneans visiting China

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

  • A duly filled and signed online visa application form and its confirmation page.
  • An original passport valid for not less than six months.
  • At least 2 blank pages for visa stamps and a photocopy of the passport's data page. 
  • A digital photo or a hardcopy passport-sized photograph of size 48mm x 33mm taken against a white background.
  • Proof of residence in Sierra Leone (for non-citizens).
  • An invitation letter from a relevant entity in China.
  • A valid bank statement from the past three months prior to the period of visa application.
  • Proof of financial capability.
  • Proof of accommodation/hotel reservations.
  • Documentation showing the applicant’s ties to the home country.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Medical insurance that covers the entire duration of stay.
  • Traveler's round-trip ticket

China Visa for Sierra Leoneans

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 7-10 days 30-60 days
Business visa 7-10 days 30-60 days
Student visa 7-10 days 1-4 years
Work visa 7-10 days 1-5 years
Transit visa 7-10 days 24 hours

General Requirements for China Visa

  • A duly filled and signed online visa application form and its confirmation page.
  • An original passport valid for not less than six months.
  • At least 2 blank pages for visa stamps and a photocopy of the passport's data page. 
  • A digital photo or a hardcopy passport-sized photograph of size 48mm x 33mm taken against a white background.
  • Proof of residence in Sierra Leone (for non-citizens).
  • An invitation letter from a relevant entity in China.
  • A valid bank statement from the past three months prior to the period of visa application.
  • Proof of financial capability.
  • Proof of accommodation/hotel reservations.
  • Documentation showing the applicant’s ties to the home country.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Medical insurance that covers the entire duration of stay.
  • Traveler's round-trip ticket
China Tourist visa China Business visa China Student visa China Work visa China Transit visa

China Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for touring and sight-seeing.
  • This visa is tagged as the L visa.
  • This visa is available to tourists for single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entries.
  • The duration of stay for each visit is normally between 30-60 days.
  • In some cases, you may be required to be interviewed by a consular officer to confirm your eligibility for this visa type.
  • The documents which are necessary during the application process should contain the full contact information of the applicant. 
  • Note that handwritten forms will not be accepted from Sierra Leone citizens or non-Sierra Leone citizens traveling from Sierra Leone.
  • Providing false information and failing to make all the required documents for the visa application available can result in you being refused entry into the country.
  • If you are visiting someone in China, a letter of invitation from your host is required. The letter must state the relationship between the applicant and the host and should contain the valid contact information of the host.
  • Tourists are not allowed to engage in business activities during their time in the country.
  • If the applicant of this visa is under the age of 18 years, the original copy of the child’s birth certificate is required. A notarized consent signed by both parents of the applicant is also required.
  • Before leaving China, you are required to submit your passport and other entry and exit documents to the border entry and exit authorities.
  • Foreigners who engage in activities not allowed on this visa type may be detained and deported.
  • Overstaying on Chinese Visa is prohibited.

China Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to those who intend to take part in commercial activities in China.
  • Foreigners can attend business seminars, trade fairs, and conferences relating to their profession.
  • This visa is also usually issued for single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entries.
  • This visa allows a stay of 30-60 days for every visit.
  • If you qualify for this visa type, the State Council will grant you the visa.
  • You are required to provide an invitation letter issued by the company in China you will be visiting. The company that issued the invitation letter will be responsible for the authenticity of the invitation.
  • The letter must state the name of the and the duration of the applicant’s stay in the country.
  • An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs is required.
  • Applicants who are employed are required to provide a certificate of employment from their employer. The letter should introduce the applicant and state the duration and purpose of the visit.
  • The business letter must also state who will be taking up the responsibility of the applicant’s expenses in the country.
  • If there have been previous business meetings between the two companies, proof of this is required.

China Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to people who have been admitted to an educational institution in China.
  • This visa is tagged as either the X1 or X2 visa. X1 is issued to foreign students who come to China to study for more than 6 months. X2 is issued to those who come to China with the same purpose but for a period fewer than 6 months. 
  • X2 visa is issued for single-entry only while the X1 visa can be issued for multiple-entry with validity for up to 5 years.
  • You are required to present the original and a copy of the letter of admission issued by the academic institution you have been accepted into.
  • If you are under the age of 18 years, the original copy of your birth certificate must be provided.
  • You are required to provide the certificates and transcripts obtained from the schools you previously attended.
  • Organizations that employ foreign students in their establishments should ensure that they report pertinent information to the local public security organs.
  • Foreign students are allowed to work in China for a predetermined time limit. If a student exceeds this time limit, he /she has violated the regulations of the management and is, therefore, working illegally.
  • Foreign students are advised to stay away from restricted areas for foreigners except they are granted permission to enter those areas by the relevant authority.
  • Foreigners who engage in activities not allowed on this visa type may be detained and deported.

China Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to people who have obtained paid employment in China.
  • This visa is tagged as the Z visa.
  • Applicants of this visa would require a government-issued working permit or an employment license.
  • These are to be registered and applied for within 30 days from the date of entry in China.
  • Applicants of this visa should be sure of their employment before initiating the visa application process.
  • A copy of the employment contract signed by both the employer and the employee should be provided. The letter should state the job position of the applicant and the length of the applicant’s employment.
  • The letter should be printed on the company’s letterhead and must contain the valid contact information of the company.
  • A copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae or Resume should be provided.
  • You are expected to undergo a physical examination before applying for this visa.
  • A police report which shows that the applicant is free of any previous criminal convictions should be provided.
  • An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government authorities for cultural affairs is required.
  • Foreigners who do not possess the right qualification for the job they have been offered will not be issued this visa.

China Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to travelers who intend to transit through China to another destination country.
  • Visa and entry permits of your destination country should be provided.
  • Applicants are required to provide flight tickets to their destination country.
  • The Transit Visa can be extended in cases where the applicant has a valid reason for requesting an extension to the visa.
  • Holders of this visa cannot receive payments for the services they render during their time in the country.
  • If you are traveling with a minor, the original copy of the minor’s birth certificate should be provided.
  • Receipt of paid visa application fee is required.
  • You are required to leave the country as soon as this visa expires.

China Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

190.00 (CNY)

Business visa

190.00 (CNY)

Student visa

190.00 (CNY)

Work visa

190.00 (CNY)

Transit visa

190.00 (CNY)

China Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Sierra Leone

Location

Address

Freetown

Chinese Embassy . 29, Spur Loop, Wilberforce P.O. Box 778, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

sl.chineseembassy.org

chinaemb_sl@mfa.gov.cn

(+232) 22-231 571, (+232) 22-231 797

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the medical requirements to be taken before traveling to China?

For visitors and tourists to China, there are no required vaccines. However, travelers are advised to be up to date on their vaccination. Vaccines such as Tetanus-diphtheria (DPT), Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Varicella(chickenpox) and Hepatitis A are to be checked before traveling.

What is the official currency for China?

The official currency in China is the Renminbi or Yuan (RMB or CNY). It might be difficult to get the currency so it is advised to have a credit card with you at all times for withdrawals.

Is giving tips a common gesture in China?

In Chinese culture, giving tips is not common. What they however prefer is offering money with both hands as this is considered a very polite gesture.

Can travelers get access to the popular social media platforms in China?

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, Instagram are not used in China and access to these are therefore blocked as China has its own version of all these platforms. To get access to these while in the country, you need to get a VPN before arriving in China.