How to Apply for Chinese E-Channel Visa

Stick and tired of waiting in huge line at the custom while entering or leaving China? The solution to this problem is applying for an E-Channel Visa.

What is E-Channel?

No stamps, no talking to a customs official, and normally no line or a very fast moving line.
It’s a way to “skip” talking to a customs official and place your ID card or passport on the scanner, the door opens, and you then go inside the “gate”. In the gate, they will take your fingerprint and scan your face. Once they see it matches you in the file, the gate will open.

Finding Where To Apply

You can apply at the border, on the China side. At the departure side floor, BEFORE you leave China, inside of the building, just follow the China E-Channel registry signs.

But you’re looking for an application office for the e-channel. They have decent signs, and if you ask a customs office before going into the line, they will point you to it.

Note for Foreigner Passports on E-Channel Information and Acquisition, Chinese – English included.
 

Requirements for Applying

1. IC Chip inside.
New passports have the chips inside, you can’t see them, but they are inside the cover of the passport. You couldn’t feel it but later you found it. The passport with IC chip inside,

2. Have a longer-term visa.
At least with 6 months or above of residence permit.

Once the custom confirms, they will let you into the application room.

Fingerprints and Photo Shoot

Once you enter the application room, the officer will ask you to place your right thumb and left thumb on a nearby reader. Users of the iPhone who have activated Touch ID will find this process similar, but simpler. After recording your fingerprints, the officer will ask you to look into the camera next by.

The whole process took around 15 minutes and next time that you enter China, you can go with e-channel gate!