Visa applications should be made at least one month before your departure for China. Passports must be valid for at least six months for a single or double entry visa and at least nine months for a multiple entry visa. Visas are granted only for the points of entry indicated in the passport. All documents necessary for further travel and sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay are required. Period of validity is stated on the visa, and care should be taken when reading dates on visas for China (People's Republic) as they are written in year/month/day format.

Australians require a passport and visa for entry to China.
New Zealand nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China.
US nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China.
UK nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China.

Most travellers will need a visa. In most cases, this should be obtained from a Chinese embassy or consulate before departure. Hong Kong and Macau issue their own visas; see those guides for more information.

As of 2005, nationals of Singapore, Brunei and Japan do not need a visa to visit China for a stay of up to 15 days, regardless reason of visit.

To visit mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau residents of Chinese origin need to apply at the China Travel Service to obtain a Home Travel Permit, a wallet sized ID card allowing multiple entries for 10 years.