China

Embassies and consulates in China

embassies in Beijing

Diplomatic missions from 110 countries are based in China, 257 missions in all (109 embassies, 145 consulates and 3 other offices). All 109 embassies are in the capital, Beijing. Consulates are also found in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

Asia

China

Capital
Beijing
Population
1,406,585,000
Currency
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Calling code
+86
Languages
Chinese, Cantonese, Wu Chinese
  • 257missions
  • 109embassies
  • 145consulates
Visa-free: 42 destinations#113 in the world

Map

All missions in China

Other cities in China

Show all 21

Outside Beijing, missions are found in Shanghai (47), Guangzhou (35), Chengdu (12), Shenyang (7), Xi'an (6), Nanning (6), Kunming (5) and Chongqing (4), among other towns; most of them are consulates general, consulates and honorary consulates.

By country

  1. South Korea 9
  2. Thailand 9
  3. Japan 8
  4. United States 8
  5. Malaysia 7
  6. Germany 6
  7. Spain 6
  8. France 6
Show all 110

Visa rules for China

How the world’s passports enter China198 in total

  • Visa-free81
  • Visa required117

China visa guide · 11 visa types

Visa rules

Of the 198 passports in the visa data, 81 can enter visa-free and 117 need a visa from an embassy or consulate for China.

Visa statistics

Schengen visa applications in China

YearApplicationsVisas issuedRefusedRefusal rateMultiple-entry share
2023 1,117,3651,043,14960,5545.5% 41.8%
2024 (part of the year) 1,779,2551,685,50280,7034.6% 34.1%
2025 1,915,1491,827,86676,6554.0% 34.1%

By Schengen state, 2025

CountryApplicationsVisas issuedRefusal rate
France 453,348429,6465.2%
Spain 310,436295,1433.2%
Germany 281,570270,1163.7%
Italy 277,993269,4233.1%
Switzerland 84,82981,1074.4%
Netherlands 70,36167,5223.8%
Hungary 62,57959,4973.4%
Norway 52,81951,6042.3%
Sweden 50,59047,9114.7%
Austria 48,34546,1922.5%
Greece 37,79435,7174.7%
Iceland 32,98232,0392.3%

Schengen consulates in China received 1,915,149 short-stay visa applications in 2025, the highest number of any country, and issued 1,827,866 visas. 4.0% of applications were refused (worldwide: 14.6%). That is barely different from 2024 (4.6%). Applications rose by 8% compared with 2024 (1,779,255).

Most applications went to France (453,348), Spain (310,436), Germany (281,570) and Italy (277,993).

Among the states with at least 500 applications, the lowest refusal rate was Luxembourg’s (1.3%) and the highest Malta’s (19.3%).

Bulgaria and Romania began issuing Schengen visas on 31 March 2024, so their 2024 figures cover part of the year. The numbers include every nationality applying in China.

Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made

US visas issued to citizens of China

Visas issuedFY 2024FY 2025
Visitor (B)649,728942,541
Student (F, M)84,68160,318
Exchange (J)17,14215,809
Work and treaty (H, L, O, E…)51,02149,255
Transit and crew (C, D)12,93111,295
Diplomatic and official (A, G)3,1302,318
Fiancé(e) (K)657572
Other1714
Total819,3071,082,122
B visa refusal rate (adjusted)25.4%20.2%

In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) the United States issued 1,082,122 nonimmigrant visas to citizens of China, the 3rd highest number of the 206 nationalities listed. Visitor visas (B1/B2) made up 87%, student visas 6% and work and treaty visas 5%. That is 32% more than in fiscal year 2024 (819,307).

From October 2025 to February 2026, citizens of China received 376,982, 14% fewer than in the same months a year earlier.

For visitor visas (B1/B2) the State Department reports an adjusted refusal rate of 20.2% for citizens of China in fiscal year 2025 (fiscal year 2024: 25.4%).

Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances up to February 2026 and adjusted refusal rates (public domain). US fiscal years run from October to September. How these figures are made

United States visa for citizens of China

China’s own missions abroad

China’s embassies abroad (328)

China itself has 328 missions abroad, in 182 countries. Its largest networks are in Germany (9), Australia (8), the United States (8), the United Kingdom (7) and Japan (7).

Upcoming closures

Public holidays in China

  • New Year's Day

    Friday

  • Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

    Saturday

  • Labour Day

    Saturday

  • Dragon Boat Festival

    Wednesday

Good to know

Where the embassies are

All 109 embassies are in the capital, Beijing. South Korea has the most missions in China, 9, followed by Thailand (9), Japan (8), the United States (8) and Malaysia (7).

Travel advice for China

Foreign ministries’ advice on travel to China: the US State Department rates China at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 18 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to China (updated 27 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for China (updated 27 October 2026).

Frequently asked questions

Which country has the most consulates in China?

South Korea, with 9 missions, followed by Thailand (9).

Do I need a visa for China?

Of 198 passports, 81 can enter visa-free and 117 need a visa from an embassy or consulate for China; the visa rules page for your own passport has the answer for you.

When are embassies in China closed?

On China’s public holidays and on each mission’s own national day; the next public holiday is New Year's Day on Friday 1 January 2027.