China is one of the few countries where Pakistani passport holders pay no visa fee at all. The catch is the paperwork: every visa type needs the right invitation, and almost every applicant needs a police character certificate. Here is the whole process, based on what the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Pakistan publish.
In this guide
Which visa fits your trip?
The embassy issues visas by purpose. You must apply for the one that matches the main reason for your visit. These are the short-stay types most Pakistani travellers use.
| Visa | For | Key document |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (L), group | Holidays, in a group of at least 5 people | Group invitation from the tourism authority in China, requested by a travel agency in China |
| Business (M) | Trade fairs, meeting suppliers, business visits | Invitation from a company in China, or a Canton Fair or China International Import Expo invitation |
| Visit (F) | Exchanges, study tours, cultural, academic or religious visits | Invitation from an organisation in China |
| Family (Q2) | Visiting family who are Chinese citizens or Chinese permanent residents, up to 180 days | Invitation letter, inviter’s ID and proof of relationship |
| Family (S2) | Visiting family who work or study in China, or medical treatment, up to 180 days | Invitation letter, inviter’s passport and residence permit, proof of relationship |
How to apply, step by step
- 1Fill in the online form
Complete the Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China online and upload your documents and a digital photo (2-inch, white background). Every name, date and passport number must match your passport exactly.
- 2Wait for the online check
The visa centre and the embassy look over your documents online and send back anything with a visible problem. Fix it and resubmit.
- 3Hand in your passport
Take your passport and original documents to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi (Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 15:00). Pay the centre’s service fee in cash.
- 4Collect your visa
The embassy usually needs 4 working days once it receives your passport. Collect it from the centre on the date on your pick-up form.
| Where you live | Handled by | Visa centre |
|---|---|---|
| Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan | Chinese Embassy, Islamabad | Islamabad |
| Punjab (except Rawalpindi) | Chinese Embassy, Islamabad | Lahore or Islamabad |
| Sindh and Balochistan | Consulate General, Karachi | Karachi |
Documents every applicant needs
- Passport valid for more than 6 months, with at least one blank visa page, plus a copy of the photo page.
- Printed application form with the confirmation page and photo.
- Copy of your CNIC, front and back.
- Police character certificate if you are 10 or older, covering your whole life to date.
- The invitation for your visa type (see the table above).
- Bank statement for the last 6 months, where your visa type asks for it: the closing balance must cover at least US$100 for each day of your stay.
- Return itinerary and hotel booking, recommended for first-time visitors. See our flight and hotel booking guide.
Fees and timing
| What the official sources say | |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | None: ordinary Pakistani passports are exempt from all Chinese visa fees |
| Visa centre service fee | Rs 13,200 in Islamabad and Karachi, Rs 13,300 in Lahore (regular service, including GST), cash, not refundable |
| Processing | Usually 4 working days once the embassy has your passport; the embassy has no rush service |
| Fingerprints | Not taken for short-term visas of 180 days or less until 31 December 2026 |
| Validity and stay | Decided by the consular officer and printed on your visa |
Why applications get returned
The embassy publishes the most common reasons. Avoid these and most of the risk goes away.
- Invitation letter missing details: it needs your name, passport number, dates, places, who pays, and the company’s full name, address, phone, official round seal and signature.
- Company name not matching its Chinese business licence, or a phone number that does not work.
- A police certificate whose QR code does not show your certificate.
- Not enough money in the bank statement for the length of your stay, or a statement that is not genuine.
- Mistakes in the form, such as a passport number or date of birth that differs from your passport.
Before you fly
- Arrival card: fill it in online before you fly, on the National Immigration Administration website or app, or at the airport.
- Payments: the Chinese authorities publish a guide to paying in China for foreign visitors. Read it before you go.
- Polio certificate: you need one to leave Pakistan. See our polio certificate guide.
- Transit only? You can stay up to 24 hours without a visa if you stay airside with a confirmed onward ticket. Pakistan is not on China’s 240-hour visa-free transit list.
We match you to the right visa type, check your invitation and police certificate, and prepare your online form before you go to the visa centre.
Questions people ask
How much is the China visa fee for Pakistanis?
There is no visa fee for ordinary Pakistani passports. You pay the visa centre’s service fee: Rs 13,200 in Islamabad and Karachi, Rs 13,300 in Lahore, at October 2026.
Do I need a police certificate for a China visa?
Yes, if you are 10 or older. It must cover your whole life to date. If it has no QR code, it must be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How long does a China visa take from Pakistan?
Usually 4 working days once the embassy or consulate receives your passport. Allow extra time for the online check and any requests for more documents.
Can I get a China tourist visa on my own?
The embassy’s published rules for Pakistan list tourist visas for groups of at least 5 people with a group invitation. Message us and we will check your options.
How much money do I need in my bank account?
Where a bank statement is required, the closing balance should cover at least US$100 for each day of your stay, shown on your last 6 months of statements.
Visa rules change often. We confirm the current requirements and fees before you pay. A visa does not guarantee entry.
