Chinese provinces are becoming more and more popular with tourists. One of the most visited places is Hainan Island, the visa of which is issued upon arrival. Russian citizens have the opportunity to visit this resort without prior registration. But there are situations when tourists from Russia need to get this document.
Do I need a visa to Hainan
Due to the growing popularity of the province, the PRC authorities have introduced a special visa policy. It makes it easier to enter Chinese territory. Many travelers who want to visit the island are interested in the question of Hainan - do they need a visa in 2021.
Russian citizens have the opportunity to visit the island without first applying for a visa. Also, this agreement applies to Belarusians, Kazakhstanis. It can be issued upon arrival.
Important!The rule applies only to those who came as part of an organized tourist group.
Tourists traveling on their own need a visa. It is put on arrival at one of the international airports in Hainan.
Features of passport control at the airport
Upon arrival, a visa is issued before passing through passport control. It is placed at the international airport in the cities of Sanya or Haikou. Tourists need to go to a special counter. The foreigner must provide the employee with a certain package of documents (listed below).
Important!If a Russian decided to fly an international flight with a transfer in other Chinese cities, then a visa upon arrival in Hainan is not issued.
Hainan visa-free: conditions of entry and stay
To obtain this permission, the airport employee must present the following documents:
- a foreign passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip;
- a questionnaire completed in Chinese or English. At the same time, there are two types of questionnaires - for visiting the island and for the mainland of China;
- photos size 3.5 to 4.5 - 2 pieces.;
- tourist invitation, photocopy of visa - issued by a travel agency;
- return boarding passes;
- hotel room reservation or rental agreement;
- medical insurance.
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Also, a Russian tourist must pay a fee - 500 yuan (about 4,500 rubles at the Central Bank rate 18 February 2020). The amount of the fee depends on which country the traveler is from. For example, for residents of Belarus and Kazakhstan, the cost will be different.
Entry is valid for two weeks. However, the visa-free regime in Hainan has a number of features:
- Allowed to be located only on the island. A Chinese visa is required to visit the mainland. Visiting nearby islands or landmarks on the mainland is possible only as part of organized excursions. To visit the city of Sanya, a visa is not separately issued.
- Tourists cannot extend its validity period. All group members must enter and leave the island at the same time. Also, tourists are not allowed to split into groups.
- If your passport contains a valid Chinese visa, use the visa-free solution. You must either revoke the permit or visit Hainan following the established rules.
- Travelers arriving on the island as part of a group cannot deviate from the tourist route and choose another accommodation.
If foreigners have taken advantage of this regime, then they cannot conduct commercial activities, study or work.
It is necessary to issue an entry permit in accordance with the purpose of the trip.
Main types of visas and documents
There are several types of entry permits. They differ in the conditions of their stay in Hainan. Therefore, before traveling, it is worth consulting in order to obtain a document in accordance with the purposes of the trip.
Visa processing upon arrival to the island
It is put down before passing through passport control at one of the international airports in Hainan. Of the required documents:
- valid international passport;
- completed application form;
- 2 photos 3.5 x 4.5.
Also, airport employees may ask for additional documents - medical insurance, return tickets and hotel reservations. Therefore, it is better to prepare them in advance so that there are no difficulties with visiting the island. Tourists have to pay a fee of 500 RMB.
After affixing the mark, foreigners go through passport control. Tourists get the right to move freely around the island, regardless of the airport of which city of Hainan the document was received.
Travel as part of a group
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Without a permit, tourists can visit the island as part of an organized group. The minimum number of participants is 2 (for Russian citizens). All their data is entered into the database of the PRC Immigration Service in advance. You can stay in the province for up to 30 days.
Despite all the advantages, this regime has limitations. Group members are not allowed to travel to other provinces in China. They are only allowed to stay at the hotel specified when the group was registered, and private rentals are prohibited. You can leave the resort only at the same time with all members of the group.
Tourist individual visa
All compatriots traveling on their own must obtain an individual entry permit. The list of required documents to be submitted to the Chinese Consulate depends on the purpose of the trip.
The mandatory list includes:
- international passport. The document must have blank pages, and its validity period is at least 6 months after the end of the trip;
- completed application form in English or Chinese;
- 2 color photos 3.5 by 4.5 cm;
- return tickets;
- confirmation of accommodation in Hainan;
- medical insurance.
Consulate staff may request additional papers:
- the route of the trip with a detailed description of the attractions and places that the tourist plans to visit;
- confirmation of financial condition - a certificate from an official place of work or an extract from a personal account.
An individual tourist visa does not give the right to conduct business activities, training and official employment. The advantage of this document is the possibility of its renewal.
Validity periods of visas and conditions of extension
You can only extend an individual tourist visa. To renew, you will need the following documents:
- international passport;
- a photocopy of the main page and the one with the visa;
- color photo;
- certificate of registration from the place of residence;
- a questionnaire issued on the spot.
Important!Guests staying at the hotel register at the reception. Then the paper must be certified at the police station by stamping.
The cost of the visa extension procedure - 160 yuan (slightly less 1,500 rubles), the term of its production is 3 days. A group visa to China cannot be extended - all participants leave at the same time.
Who needs to apply for a full-fledged visa to China
The PRC national visa must be obtained by the following Russian citizens:
- those who want to rest in Hainan for more than 21 days;
- for those who plan to conduct any activity - educational, commercial or labor.
National visas are divided into two large groups according to the number of permitted border crossings. And also into 16 categories, depending on the purpose of the visit.
| name of category | To whom are given |
| D | Long-term, issued to persons applying for a residence permit. |
| F | Short-term for study trips, participation in international student exchange programs. |
| G | Transit. |
| L | Long-term for tourist trips up to 60 days. |
| M | For business travel - allows you to conduct commercial activities and hold business meetings. |
| X | Student - for those who will study in Chinese educational institutions. |
| Z | Working for official employment. |
There are categories for narrow specialties who visit China by invitation or for special events.
Documents for a visa to China and the island of Hainan
There is a single list of documents required to open a national Chinese visa. Additional information will be needed depending on the purpose of the trip.
- International passport.
- Completed application form.
- 2 pictures 3.5 by 4.5 cm.
- Photocopies of all-Russian and old passports, visas.
- Receipt for payment of consular fees.
- Confirmation of hotel reservation or rental agreement.
- Health insurance.
- Return tickets.
- Proof of financial solvency.
Also, depending on the category of the visa, you may need additional certificates:
- for the work category - an invitation from a Chinese organization and confirmation of the employee's qualifications;
- for a student - a certificate of admission to a Chinese educational institution, as well as a document on the received Russian education.
Important!All certificates must be translated into Chinese and notarized.
If a tourist applies for a national PRC visa, there is no need to collect a separate package of certificates to obtain a permit to enter Hainan Island. Do I need to get a visa in Sanya? No, because this is one of the largest cities on the island.
How much does a Hainan visa cost
If it is put on arrival, then the Russian tourist needs to pay 500 yuan. There is an additional payment of 160 RMB for the renewal.
To obtain a national visa of the PRC through the embassy in the Russian Federation, you will need to pay from 3,300 rubles. The cost depends on the category of the document and the duration of its validity.
Why visa can be refused
The reasons for refusing to issue this document to visit Hainan Island may be as follows:
- incomplete package of documents;
- incorrect filling out of the questionnaire or other papers;
- insufficient amount of funds for living in the PRC;
- the purpose of the trip is not indicated;
- there were violations of the visa regime.
If a tourist travels on a voucher, he is not denied a visa.
Is it possible to visit Hainan with a China visa
Hainan Island is part of the PRC, so if you have a national visa, you can visit this province without putting a mark at the airport.
And if you come to Hainan from another Chinese city, then no one will ask about a visa, because this is an internal movement.
Hainan Province is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Therefore, the authorities apply a simplified visa policy. And if you go as part of a tourist group, then no permission is required. And for other travelers, you can put a mark at the airport.
