China Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Airports & Borders 2026: Where & How

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China’s visa on arrival (VOA) is far more limited than most travelers expect. Unlike Thailand or Cambodia where virtually anyone can buy a visa at the airport, China’s VOA is available at only a handful of border crossings and special economic zones — and the conditions are strict.

That said, the Shenzhen 5-day VOA and Zhuhai 3-day VOA are legitimate options for travelers who want a quick taste of mainland China from Hong Kong or Macau without applying for a full visa.

This guide covers every VOA option available in 2026, how to get one, and when you’d be better off with a different approach.

Key Takeaways

• China’s VOA is NOT available at major airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) for regular tourists.
• The Shenzhen 5-day VOA (CNY 168) and Zhuhai 3-day VOA are the main options.
• VOA is restricted to the specific city or zone — no travel to other parts of China.
• For most travelers, the 240-hour transit visa-free or a regular L visa is a better option.

Quick Answer: Can I Get a Visa at a Chinese Airport?

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At major international airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou): No. These airports don’t offer VOA for tourists. If you arrive without a visa and don’t qualify for visa-free entry or transit visa-free, you’ll be put on the next flight out.

At specific border crossings: Yes, with limitations. The Shenzhen and Zhuhai VOAs are available at designated ports for citizens of most countries.

Shenzhen 5-Day Visa on Arrival

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The Shenzhen VOA is the most commonly used visa on arrival in China. It allows foreign visitors entering from Hong Kong to spend up to 5 days in Shenzhen without applying for a visa in advance.

Who is eligible?

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Citizens of most countries can obtain the Shenzhen VOA. Notable exceptions include some African and Middle Eastern nations. US, UK, Canadian, Australian, and EU citizens are all eligible.

Where to get it

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Requirements

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• Valid passport with 6+ months validity and at least 1 blank page
• No previous visa violations in China
• You must enter from Hong Kong (not from other parts of mainland China)

Cost

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Payment in Chinese yuan (cash) is preferred. Some ports accept WeChat Pay and Alipay.

Process

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1. Go to the VOA counter at the border crossing (follow signs for “Visa on Arrival” or “Port Visa”)
2. Fill out the application form (available on-site)
3. Submit: passport, form, and fee
4. Wait — typically 10–30 minutes
5. Receive a visa sticker in your passport
6. Pass through immigration

Important limitations

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• You can only stay in Shenzhen — not even nearby Dongguan or Guangzhou
• 5 days, no extension
• You must exit via the same border zone (not necessarily the same crossing)
• This is a single-entry visa — leaving Shenzhen ends it

What can you do in 5 days in Shenzhen?

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• Huaqiangbei — the world’s largest electronics market
• Dafen Oil Painting Village — thousands of artists producing replicas and original work
• Ping An Finance Centre — 599-meter observation deck
• Window of the World — miniature replicas of world landmarks
• OCT Loft — creative arts district, cafes, galleries
• Lianhuashan Park — hike to the top for city skyline views
• Coco Park — nightlife, restaurants, bars

Zhuhai 3-Day Visa on Arrival

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Similar to the Shenzhen VOA but for Zhuhai, the mainland Chinese city across from Macau.

Who is eligible?

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Most nationalities — similar to the Shenzhen VOA.

Where to get it

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• Gongbei Port — the main land border crossing with Macau
• Hengqin Port — newer crossing, less crowded

Requirements

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• Valid passport with 6+ months validity
• Entry from Macau

Cost

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Similar to Shenzhen: CNY 168 for most nationalities, higher for UK and US citizens.

Limitations

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• 3 days only
• Restricted to Zhuhai city
• No travel to other parts of China

What to do in Zhuhai

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• Fisher Girl Statue — the city’s iconic landmark
• Lover’s Road — scenic coastal promenade with Macau views
• Chimelong Ocean Kingdom — one of the world’s largest aquariums (technically on Hengqin Island)
• New Yuan Ming Palace — replica of Beijing’s Old Summer Palace
• Jiuzhou Port — ferry connections to Shenzhen and Hong Kong

Other VOA and Special Entry Situations

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Shanghai 15-day cruise visa-free

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Cruise ship passengers arriving at Shanghai cruise port as part of an organized group (2+ people from the same ship) can receive 15-day visa-free entry. This is arranged by the cruise line — no individual application needed.

Hainan 30-day visa-free

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Not technically a VOA, but visitors arriving on direct international flights to Haikou or Sanya can enter visa-free for 30 days. See our Hainan guide for details.

Emergency port visas

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In genuine emergencies (medical evacuation, family emergency, mechanical diversion), immigration officers at any port can issue a temporary entry permit. This is entirely discretionary and not something you can plan for.

VOA vs Better Alternatives

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Before queuing up for a Shenzhen VOA, consider these alternatives:

When VOA makes sense

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• You’re in Hong Kong and want a quick day trip to Shenzhen
• You’re in Macau and want to see Zhuhai
• You don’t qualify for visa-free or transit visa-free entry
• You need to enter China urgently and don’t have time for a regular visa

When VOA is a bad choice

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• You want to see more than one city → Get an L visa or use transit visa-free
• You’re staying more than 5 days → Get an L visa
• You qualify for visa-free entry → Just use that (UK, Canadian, Australian, etc. citizens)
• You’re a US citizen and the VOA costs almost as much as a 10-year L visa ($92 vs $140)

Step-by-Step: Getting the Shenzhen VOA from Hong Kong

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1. Take the MTR to Lo Wu station (East Rail Line, ~45 min from central HK)
2. Exit Hong Kong immigration at Lo Wu
3. Walk across the bridge to Luohu Port
4. Find the VOA counter — look for “Port Visa” or “Visa on Arrival” signs, usually on the 2nd or 3rd floor
5. Fill out the form — name, passport number, nationality, hotel in Shenzhen
6. Submit your passport, form, and payment
7. Wait 10–30 minutes for processing
8. Receive your visa sticker and proceed through Chinese immigration
9. You’re in Shenzhen! The Luohu metro station is directly connected

Tips

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• Go early — queues build up by mid-morning, especially on weekends
• Have a hotel name ready — they’ll ask where you’re staying in Shenzhen
• Bring CNY cash — some ports don’t accept foreign currency
• Have a return plan — they may ask how you plan to leave

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I get a visa on arrival at Beijing or Shanghai airport?

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No. Major international airports don’t offer VOA for tourists. You need a pre-arranged visa or qualify for visa-free/transit visa-free entry.

How much does the Shenzhen VOA cost?

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CNY 168 for most nationalities (~$23). UK citizens: CNY 304. US citizens: CNY 672.

Can I travel from Shenzhen to Guangzhou on the VOA?

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No. The Shenzhen VOA is restricted to Shenzhen city only. Traveling to Guangzhou or any other city requires a regular Chinese visa.

Can I extend the Shenzhen VOA?

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No. 5 days maximum, no extensions.

Is the Shenzhen VOA available 24 hours?

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Huanggang Port operates 24 hours. Luohu, Futian, and other ports have limited hours (typically 6:30 AM – midnight). Check current hours before going.

What if I have a previous Chinese visa — should I still get the VOA?

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If your previous visa is still valid, use that instead. The VOA is only useful if you don’t have a valid visa and don’t qualify for visa-free or transit visa-free entry.

Related guides:

• China Transit Visa-Free Guide
• China Visa-Free Countries
• China Visa Application Guide
• China Visa Guide 2026 (Overview)