Number of entries: how many times a visa lets you enter China
Unofficial entry · Sources checked
“Number of entries” means the number of times a visa holder may enter China within the validity period of the entry specified in the visa. Article 36(1) of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners provides this definition. See Visas and residence for related visa terms.
Definition
Article 36(2) of the Regulations defines the validity period as the period during which the visa holder may enter China. Unless otherwise specified by the issuing authority, a visa is valid from its date of issuance until Beijing time 24:00 on its expiring day.
Article 36(3) defines the duration of stay as the period during which the visa holder is allowed to stay in China after each entry. It begins on the day after entry.
What the official text says
Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part One: Visa for China (Mainland only)
Section “2. Entries” states that “Entries” means the number of times the visa holder may enter China within the visa’s validity period. The visa is no longer valid when all its entries have been used. Unused entries do not keep the visa valid after its validity period has expired.
The page says a visa holder should apply for a new visa if another visit to China is planned. It also states that holders of an invalid visa will be refused entry to China.
Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part Seven: FAQs and Answers
Q7 describes the number of entries as the number of times a visa allows the holder to enter China before its Expiry Date. It says a visa is normally issued as single entry, double entries or multiple entries.
Q7 states that a visa becomes invalid after all entries have been used. It also states that a visa becomes invalid when the visa has expired even if some entries remain unused. The answer says a new visa is needed if the holder intends to travel to China again.
Related terms
- Validity period
- Duration of stay
- Expiry date
- Single entry, double entries and multiple entries
Sources
- Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners — National Immigration Administration.
- Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part One: Visa for China (Mainland only) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs mission.
- Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part Seven: FAQs and Answers — Ministry of Foreign Affairs mission.
Checked 11 October 2026.
This entry is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, is not published by the bodies named, and the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail if they differ.