Visa Validity, Duration of Stay, and Number of Entries: Read Your China Visa Right

October 6, 2026 · Visa Knowledge

Before you book your flight, read the three numbers on your China visa. Many of the travelers who call us do so because they confused these numbers — rebooking flights in a panic, or overstaying. Let's get it straight, once.

1. Validity: the last day you may enter

The "Enter Before" date on the visa is the deadline for your last entry into China — not the day you must leave.

Enter Before: May 1, 2036 → entering on May 1, 2036 is fine
What matters is that the visa is still valid when you enter; your stay continues under the duration-of-stay rules below

2. Duration of stay: how long each visit lasts

"Duration of Each Stay" is the maximum number of days you may remain after each entry, counted from the day you enter. For US citizens, the tourist (L) visa is typically 60 days per stay.

The key point: the clock restarts with every entry. A multiple-entry visa doesn't let you stack those 60 days into one long continuous stay — once you leave, that stay ends.

3. Number of entries: how many times you may enter

The "Entries" field shows 01 (single), 02 (double), or M (multiple). Each use consumes one entry.

Four common mistakes

Reading "Enter Before" as the day you must leave — panic-rebooking a flight days early for no reason. What counts is the duration of stay after each entry.
Thinking multiple entries let you "stack" stays — each stay is counted separately from the day you enter; leaving ends it.
Visiting Hong Kong or a third country mid-trip on a single-entry visa — that entry is used up; you'll need a new visa to re-enter.
Leaving on the very last day of your stay — give yourself a 1–2 day buffer. A flight delay or emergency can tip you into overstay.

What happens if you overstay

Staying past your duration of stay is unlawful presence: it can bring warnings, fines, even detention, and will complicate future visa applications. Before you travel, line up all three numbers against your itinerary: is the entry date within validity, is each stay within the allowed duration, and do your entries cover your trips?

Not sure how the math works on your case? Send us your visa page and itinerary — we'll check it for you in one message.

How we can help

Visa form-filing: from $80
Filing + drop-off/pickup package: $180
Drop-off only: from $120
Self-filing pre-check: $50

Prefer not to make the trip and stand in line? Contact us — door-to-door document pickup and delivery in Los Angeles, and we can submit the same day your materials are ready.
Source: Consulate General of China in Los Angeles — "Latest arrangements and material requirements for foreigner visa applications". Policies are subject to the consulate's official website.