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UAE residents · Country guide

China visa for UAE residents

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 1 Nov 2026

In brief

No, UAE residence does not change the rule for China: your passport decides.

  • Indian passportVisa requiredVisa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai (country of lawful residence); no visa-free or residence-based route.
  • Pakistani passportVisa requiredVisa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai; no visa-free or residence-based route.
  • Filipino passportVisa requiredVisa in advance through the visa centre in Dubai, except visa-free stays of up to 30 days within Hainan Province only, or up to 6 days for ASEAN tour groups entering via Xishuangbanna or Guilin.

Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: National Immigration Administration of ChinaReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. By passport
  3. Who qualifies
  4. How to apply from the UAE
  5. Fees
  6. Processing time
  7. Documents
  8. Indian, Pakistani, Filipino
  9. FAQ
  10. Sources

China rules for UAE residents, by passport

PassportWith UAE residenceConditionsSource
IndianVisa requiredVisa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai (country of lawful residence); no visa-free or residence-based route.National Immigration Administration of China
PakistaniVisa requiredVisa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai; no visa-free or residence-based route.National Immigration Administration of China
FilipinoVisa requiredVisa in advance through the visa centre in Dubai, except visa-free stays of up to 30 days within Hainan Province only, or up to 6 days for ASEAN tour groups entering via Xishuangbanna or Guilin.National Immigration Administration of ChinaNational Immigration Administration of China

Who qualifies through UAE residence

UAE residence alone doesn't open a route into China: the rules below depend on your passport.

  • India, Pakistan and the Philippines are not on China's unilateral 30-day visa-free list.

    Note: Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days.National Immigration Administration of China · checked

  • Filipino passport: Filipino ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days visa-free within Hainan Province only.

    Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports from 61 countries may enter and stay within the administrative region of Hainan Province for a maximum of 30 days without a visa … the PhilippinesNational Immigration Administration of China · checked

  • Filipino passport: ASEAN tour groups (including Filipinos) organised by a Chinese travel agency can enter Xishuangbanna or Guilin visa-free for up to 6 days.

    and can stay within the administrative region of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture for a maximum of 6 days. The ASEAN member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.National Immigration Administration of China · checked

How to apply from the UAE

Fees

  • Reduced visa fees until 31 December 2026 for citizens of other countries: AED 102 single, 153 double, 203 multiple (6 months), 304 multiple (12 months or more); express service AED 90 extra. Fees for some third-country citizens may differ by reciprocity.

    Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the UAE · checked

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees.

Processing time

Documents for UAE residents

Not stated by the official sources we read, beyond a valid passport and your UAE residence visa.

Indian, Pakistani and Filipino passports

Indian passport

Visa required Visa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai (country of lawful residence); no visa-free or residence-based route.

Without UAE residence: Indian passport → China.

Pakistani passport

Visa required Visa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai; no visa-free or residence-based route.

Every destination for this passport: Pakistan passport.

Filipino passport

Visa required Visa in advance through the visa centre in Dubai, except visa-free stays of up to 30 days within Hainan Province only, or up to 6 days for ASEAN tour groups entering via Xishuangbanna or Guilin.

Every destination for this passport: Philippines passport.

FAQ

Can I go to China with an UAE residence visa?

Not on residence alone: UAE residence does not change the rule. Indian, Pakistani and Filipino passports: visa required; the table above gives the conditions.

Can UAE residents get a visa on arrival?

Not on the official pages we read. Indian, Pakistani and Filipino passports: visa required.

How much is the China visa fee for UAE residents?

Reduced visa fees until 31 December 2026 for citizens of other countries: AED 102 single, 153 double, 203 multiple (6 months), 304 multiple (12 months or more); express service AED 90 extra. Fees for some third-country citizens may differ by reciprocity.

Can I apply online?

Indian passport: In Abu Dhabi the Chinese Embassy takes visa applications through the online system at consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA, in use since 30 June 2025. Indian passport: In Dubai, applications go through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center: complete the form online on its website, then, once approved online, bring the passport to the centre without an appointment and pay the visa and service fees there.

How long is the waiting time from Dubai?

A visa usually takes three or four working days if the documents are complete.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. National Immigration Administration of China: rules for UAE residentsen.nia.gov.cn · checked
  2. National Immigration Administration of China: rules for UAE residentsen.nia.gov.cn · checked
  3. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (official visa centre): applying from the UAEvisaforchina.cn · checked
  4. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (official visa centre): applying from the UAEvisaforchina.cn · checked
  5. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the UAE: feesae.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  6. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (official visa centre): processing timevisaforchina.cn · checked
  7. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Arab Emirates: applying from the UAEae.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  8. Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Dubai (visa centre of the Chinese Consulate General in Dubai): applying from the UAEvisaforchina.cn · checked

More destinations: visa-free countries for UAE residents · China entry rules by nationality · all guides for UAE residents.

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Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.