Last updated: 13 August 2026 (China Visa Costs From South Africa)
Reviewed by: Road2Asia Visa & Document Services
Information verified against: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa and the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre
For a South African citizen applying for a Chinese visa using regular service, the current total official charge starts at R1,105 for a single-entry visa. A double-entry visa costs R1,180, a six-month multiple-entry visa R1,330, and a 12-month multiple-entry visa R1,480. These totals include both the Chinese visa fee and the standard Visa Application Centre service fee.
The distinction between the visa fee and the total amount payable is important. The Chinese Embassy currently lists the single-entry visa fee for South African citizens as only R300, but applicants applying through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre also pay a service fee.
China Visa Costs From South Africa
For South African citizens using regular service, the current official fee schedule is:
| China visa | Visa fee | Visa Centre service fee | Total official fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single entry | R300 | R805 | R1,105 |
| Double entry | R375 | R805 | R1,180 |
| Multiple entry – 6 months | R525 | R805 | R1,330 |
| Multiple entry – 12 months | R675 | R805 | R1,480 |
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre states that the amount payable is calculated by combining the visa fee with its service fee, which includes tax. The current fee schedule took effect on 1 October 2025, while the Chinese Embassy has confirmed that the reduced Chinese visa-fee policy remains in force until 31 December 2026.
How Much Does a China Visa Cost from South Africa?
For most South Africans searching for the price of a China visa, R1,105 is the most useful starting figure because that is the current official total for a standard single-entry application using regular service.
However, the final amount depends primarily on:
- the number of entries granted;
- whether regular or express service is selected;
- whether additional Visa Centre services are used; and
- whether you use a private visa assistance provider such as Road2Asia.
The official government visa fee should therefore not be confused with the full cost of submitting an application.
China Visa Costs for South Africa in 2026
China currently applies reduced visa fees to South African citizens. The Chinese Embassy in South Africa confirmed that this reduced-fee policy has been extended through 31 December 2026.
The Embassy’s current base visa fees for South African citizens are:
| Number of entries | Chinese visa fee |
| Single entry | R300 |
| Double entry | R375 |
| Multiple entry for 6 months | R525 |
| Multiple entry for 12 months | R675 |
These figures are the visa fees themselves. They are not necessarily the total amount an ordinary applicant pays when submitting through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre.
Why Is the China Visa Fee R300 but the Total Cost R1,105?
This is one of the most important distinctions for South African applicants.
Chinese Visa Fee
The visa fee is collected on behalf of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
For a South African citizen applying for a regular single-entry visa, that fee is currently:
R300.
Chinese Visa Application Centre Service Fee
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre charges a separate service fee for processing applications through the Centre.
For regular service, the current service fee is:
R805 including tax.
Therefore:
R300 visa fee + R805 service fee = R1,105 total official charge
This is why an applicant may see R300 quoted as the China visa fee online while actually paying R1,105 under the regular Visa Centre fee schedule.
How Much Does Express China Visa Processing Cost?
Express service costs more than regular processing.
The current official fee schedule for South African citizens shows:
| China visa | Regular total | Express total |
| Single entry | R1,105 | R1,773 |
| Double entry | R1,180 | R1,848 |
| Multiple entry – 6 months | R1,330 | R1,998 |
| Multiple entry – 12 months | R1,480 | R2,148 |
For example, an express single-entry application consists of a R600 visa fee and R1,173 Visa Centre express service fee, producing a total of R1,773.
Applicants should not assume that paying an express fee guarantees that a visa will be issued. Visa approval remains subject to the competent Chinese authorities and the circumstances of the application.
Does the Type of China Visa Change the Price?
China has different visa categories depending on the applicant’s purpose of travel. These include, among others:
- L Visa – tourism
- M Visa – commercial and trade activities
- F Visa – exchanges, visits and certain non-commercial activities
- Z Visa – employment in China
- X1 / X2 Visa – study
- Q1 / Q2 Visa – certain family visits or reunification
- S1 / S2 Visa – certain private or family matters
- G Visa – transit
The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre’s South African fee schedule is principally arranged according to the number of entries and processing service selected, rather than simply charging one price for a tourist visa and another price for every other category. Visa categories do, however, have different supporting-document requirements.
The number of entries ultimately issued is determined by the Chinese authorities. Applying for a multiple-entry visa does not in itself guarantee that a multiple-entry visa will be granted.
Are There Any Additional Costs?
The R1,105 regular single-entry total should be treated as the official Visa Centre cost, not necessarily the complete cost of obtaining a China visa from beginning to end.
Depending on the application, additional costs may include:
- optional mailing or passport-return services;
- optional extended services offered by the Visa Application Centre;
- courier charges;
- photographs or supporting-document preparation;
- documents required for the specific visa category;
- document authentication or verification where applicable; and
- professional assistance from a private visa service provider.
The official Visa Centre fee schedule specifically notes that activated mailing and extended services may attract additional service charges.
Road2Asia Practical Tip
When comparing China visa prices, always establish whether the quote refers to only the Embassy visa fee, the Visa Centre total, or a complete assisted application service.
A quoted price of R300 and a quoted price of R1,105 can both be technically correct—they simply refer to different components of the application cost.
How Do South Africans Apply for a China Visa in 2026?
China currently uses an online visa-processing system in South Africa.
The basic process is:
- Complete the Chinese visa application online.
- Upload the supporting documents required for the relevant visa category.
- Wait for the online review.
- Monitor the application portal and email for requests for corrections or additional documents.
- Once the application shows as approved for submission, print the Visa Application Certificate.
- Submit the original passport and any requested supporting documents to the relevant Visa Application Centre.
- Pay the applicable visa and service fees.
- Collect the passport after processing or use an available return service where applicable.
The online-processing system was introduced in South Africa from June 2025 and requires applicants to complete the form and upload application materials before proceeding with passport submission once the online review has been passed.
Chinese Visa Application Service Centre locations are currently available in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Do South Africans Need to Give Fingerprints for a China Visa?
China currently has a temporary fingerprint exemption for many short-term visa applicants.
From December 2025 until 31 December 2026, applicants for short-term Chinese visas involving a stay of no more than 180 days are generally exempt from fingerprint collection.
However, applicants for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas continue to require fingerprint collection because these categories involve applicants who generally need to apply for residence permits after entering China.
This means a South African tourist applying for an ordinary short-term L visa may have a different biometric requirement from a South African applying for a Z work visa.
How Road2Asia Can Assist With Your China Visa
Road2Asia assists South Africans with the preparation and management of China visa applications and the supporting documentation that may be required.
Depending on your circumstances, assistance can include:
- determining the appropriate China visa category;
- checking application documentation before submission;
- guidance with the online application process;
- identifying missing or incorrect supporting documents;
- police clearance certificate assistance;
- SAQA and qualification-related services;
- apostille and authentication services;
- document courier coordination; and
- assistance with employment-related documentation for applicants relocating to China.
Need help with your application?
Road2Asia is a private visa and document assistance company and is not the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions About China Visa Costs
How much is a tourist visa to China from South Africa?
If a South African citizen receives a regular single-entry visa, the current Visa Application Centre schedule shows a total official charge of R1,105, consisting of a R300 visa fee and R805 regular service fee.
Is a China visa only R300 for South Africans?
The current Embassy fee for a South African single-entry visa is R300, but this is only the visa component. When regular Visa Application Centre service charges are included, the current total is R1,105.
How much is an express China visa from South Africa?
The current total for an express single-entry application for a South African citizen is R1,773. Express double-entry applications are R1,848, six-month multiple-entry applications R1,998 and 12-month multiple-entry applications R2,148.
How much is a multiple-entry China visa from South Africa?
Under the current regular-service schedule, a six-month multiple-entry visa totals R1,330, while a 12-month multiple-entry visa totals R1,480 for South African citizens.
Are China visa fees the same for foreign nationals living in South Africa?
Not necessarily. The Visa Application Centre publishes separate fee categories for local South African citizens and applicants who are citizens of other countries. It also notes that fees for third-country applicants can differ and that the final amount is determined by the Visa Centre.
Will the current reduced China visa fees remain in place throughout 2026?
The Chinese Embassy in South Africa has confirmed that the current reduced visa-fee policy has been extended until 31 December 2026.
Official Sources
The information in this guide was checked against the following official authorities:
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of South Africa – Notice on Continuation of Reducing Chinese Visa Fees.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Centre Johannesburg – Schedule of Fees.
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa – China Online Visa Processing System.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Centre – Current Online Visa Processing Procedure.
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa – Fingerprint Collection Exemptions for Short-Term Visa Applicants.
- National Immigration Administration of China – Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements. The current agreement involving South Africa covers diplomatic and service/official passports rather than ordinary South African passports.
About Road2Asia
Road2Asia Visa & Document Services assists South Africans and international clients with visa applications, police clearance certificates, qualification verification, apostilles, document authentication and other cross-border documentation requirements.
This article was reviewed and updated on 13 August 2026 using current information published by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa and the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre.
Related Road2Asia Guides
- China Visa Requirements for South Africans
- China Tourist Visa for South Africans
- China Work Visa for South Africans
- China Visa Processing Time in South Africa
- Documents Required for a China Work Visa
- Police Clearance Certificate for China
- SAQA Verification for China
- Document Authentication for China
Need Help With a China Visa From South Africa?
Road2Asia can help you understand the correct visa route, prepare the supporting documentation and reduce avoidable application errors before submission.