China Visa Application Guide for Filipinos: Requirements, COVA Form & Fees
Planning a travel adventure to China from the Philippines? Whether you dream of walking the ancient ramparts of the Great Wall in Beijing, taking in the futuristic skyline of Shanghai's Bund, or marveling at the limestone peaks of Guilin, securing your China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is your essential first step.
The application system for Philippine passport holders is managed through the official Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in Manila. Thanks to the modernized China Online Visa Processing System (COVA), applying for your Chinese visa is organized, straightforward, and manageable when you follow the exact document checklist and submission steps outlined below.
Complete Document Checklist for Filipinos
- Financial Proof (First-Timers): First-time Chinese visa applicants must submit an original Bank Certificate with an official receipt, accompanied by bank statements for the past 6 months.
- Proof of Ties: Include your Certificate of Employment (COE) stating salary and tenure, latest Income Tax Return (ITR BIR Form 2316), or DTI/SEC registration for business owners.
- Old Passports & Visas: If you have held prior Chinese visas, submit clear photocopies of your previous Chinese visa stamps and bio pages of previous passports.
China Visa Types & Eligibility Breakdown
Select the appropriate visa category on your online COVA application based on the main purpose of your visit to mainland China:
| Visa Category | Purpose of Visit | Standard Validity / Stay | Key Supporting Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| L Visa (Tourist) | Tourism, leisure & sightseeing | Single/Double/Multiple (30 days/entry) | Flight + Hotel Bookings or Invitation Letter |
| M Visa (Business) | Commercial trade & business activities | Single/Double/Multiple Entries | Invitation Letter from Chinese Business Partner |
| Q1 / Q2 Visa (Family) | Visiting relatives who are Chinese citizens | Q1 (>180 days) / Q2 (≤180 days) | Kinship Proof & Inviter Chinese ID Copy |
| X1 / X2 Visa (Student) | Academic study or internship in China | X1 (>180 days) / X2 (≤180 days) | Admission Notice (JW201/JW202 Form) |
| Z Visa (Work) | Commercial employment in China | 30 days upon entry (residence conversion) | Foreigner Work Permit Notification |
| G Visa (Transit) | Transiting through Chinese airports | 7-14 days stay duration | Connecting flights & destination country visa |
China Visa Fees & Expense Breakdown (2026)
| Visa Entry Type | Consular Visa Fee | CVASC Service Fee | Total Cost (PHP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Entry (Tourist L) | ₱1,400 | ₱1,498 | ₱2,898 |
| Double Entry | ₱2,100 | ₱1,348 | ₱3,448 |
| 6-Month Multiple Entry | ₱2,800 | ₱1,148 | ₱3,948 |
| Over 6-Month Multiple Entry | ₱4,200 | ₱798 | ₱4,998 |
| Express Processing Add-on (2-3 Days) | + ₱2,024 | Included | + ₱2,024 surcharge |
| Total Estimated Application Budget | Standard Regular Service | 4 Working Days | ₱2,898 – ₱4,998 |
Step-by-Step Application Process (COVA System)
| Phase / Step | Action Details & Action Items |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Document Gathering & Preparation | |
| Document Audit | Gather passport, 6-month bank statement, bank certificate, flight/hotel bookings, and COE/ITR. |
| Digital Photo Prep | Get an official China Visa photo in high-resolution JPEG format for COVA online upload. |
| Step 2: COVA Online Application Form | |
| Access COVA Portal | Visit the official China Online Visa Application Portal or CVASC Manila System. |
| Fill Application Form | Complete all 9 sections accurately in UPPERCASE English. Save your unique Application Number! |
| Upload Supporting Docs | Upload scans of passport bio page, photo, and required proof documents. Submit for preliminary online review. |
| Step 3: Print & Sign Form | |
| Print Physical Copy | Once preliminary check passes, print the COVA Confirmation Page and full Application Form. |
| Affix Signature | Sign the confirmation page and Section 9 declaration using black ink. |
| Step 4: Submission at CVASC Manila | |
| Physical Submission | Visit CVASC Manila during office hours (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) to submit your physical documents. |
| Biometrics & Pick-up Slip | Provide fingerprint biometrics if required and receive your official Collection Slip indicating pickup date. |
| Step 5: Passport Collection | |
| Claim Passport & Visa | Return to CVASC Manila on the scheduled date, pay visa fees, and retrieve your passport stamped with your China visa. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Approval Tips
Yes. Ordinary Philippine passport holders require a tourist visa (L Visa) to enter mainland China. Special administrative regions like Hong Kong (14 days visa-free) and Macao (30 days visa-free) do not require a Chinese visa, but entering mainland cities like Shenzhen or Guangzhou requires a mainland visa.
It is recommended to apply 1 month to 6 weeks before your intended departure date. Since single-entry tourist visas are typically valid for 3 months from the issuance date, applying too early (more than 90 days in advance) may cause your visa to expire before your travel date.
- Incomplete financial documents or insufficient bank balance.
- Inconsistencies between flight/hotel dates and the COVA itinerary form.
- Failure to provide old Chinese visas or old passports.
- Unclear employment or strong ties to the Philippines.
First-time applicants are almost always granted a Single-Entry L Visa (valid for 3 months with up to 30 days stay). Multiple-entry visas (6 months or 1 year) are generally granted to applicants who have previously held at least 2 to 3 single-entry Chinese visas and have a clean travel history.
If you lost your previous passport containing past Chinese visas, you must state this clearly in Section 3.7 of your COVA application form and submit an official Affidavit of Loss duly notarized in the Philippines.
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