Visa Waiver Program for Australians – From 30 November 2024
- China has included Australia in its visa waiver program. From 30 November 2024, the visa waiver period will increase from 15 days to 30 days. If you hold an ordinary Australian passport, you can enter China without a visa for no more than 30 days for the purposes of business, tourism, visiting family and friends or transiting.
- Holders of official and diplomatic passports will still need to apply for a visa before travelling to China.
- You may be permitted to enter China if you're a foreign national holding a valid residence permit for work, personal matters or reunion.
- Go to Smartraveller.gov.au for more information about travelling to China.
Update regarding "Same Holder Letter" service
From 17 November 2023, the Australian Consulate will no longer issue a "Same Holder Letter", the service is replaced by the Australian
Consulate's issuance of a passport letter. To obtain this letter and stamp, please come in person between 0930 -1130 on a business day (service may be unavailable under exceptional circumstance).
Appointments for passport and notarial services
Passport appointments are available Monday to Friday. Each passport applicant requires a separate appointment. Families will require separate appointments for each adult/child applicant.
Appointment times are normally booked-out up to 4 weeks in advance. Allow a minimum of 6 weeks to receive your new passport. Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.
Appointments are not required for passport collection or for emergency consular services. Passport can be collected between 0930 -1130 on a business day(service may be unavailable under exceptional circumstance).
Notarial services appointments are available Tuesday to Thursday afternoons.
Please book your appointment as early as possible.
Applying for an Australian Passport
Shanghai Consulate specific passport information – including proof of address requirements for applicants/parents.
Passport appointments are available Monday to Friday, please make your booking at acgsh.setmore.com.
It will take more than six weeks from the day you successfully finalise your application until your passport is ready for collection. For more information, please click here.
Notarial Services
You must bring identification containing both your signature and photograph (ie your passport) so we can verify your identity and signature on any documents you sign.
Bring clear instructions from your lawyer detailing exactly which pages must be witnessed by the Consulate.
General notarial services information (including witness of signature, affidavit, certified copies, CNI, authentication).
Shanghai Consulate specific notarial information.
Notarial appointments are available Tuesday to Thursday afternoons and should be booked more than two weeks in advance using acgsh.setmore.com. The applicant needs to present in person to the Australian Consulate General Shanghai.
Alternative Shanghai notarial service providers can be found here.
Australian Visa and Citizenship Applications
Online Visa and Citizenship applications do not require certified copies.
For paper-based visa and citizenship applications which are submitted in China, you can have copies of your documents certified by a Chinese citizen who works in one of the occupations listed here.
Visa and Citizenship applications submitted outside Australia do not need statutory declarations to be witnessed at an Australian Embassy or Consulate. If your visa/citizenship application requires a witnessed declaration/form, please read the witnessing instructions on the declaration/form. The Department of Home Affairs (HA) can generally accept statements witnessed according to the legal practices of the country in which you make the statement.
All Australian Visa and Citizenship questions must be directed to the Department of Home Affairs. Online enquiries can be submitted here.
Travel Advice for China
Visit the Australian Government's Smartraveller website for up-to-date travel advice for China.
You can subscribe to one or more countries or to our official bulletins for information including voting, large sporting events, or widespread health or security issues. We encourage you to subscribe to this service as soon as you are thinking about holidaying, working, studying or living overseas.
Consulate Public Holidays
Year 2025
| Wednesday | 1 January 2025 | New Year's Day |
| Wednesday | 29 January 2025 | Chinese New Year Holiday |
| Thursday | 30 January 2025 | Chinese New Year Holiday |
| Friday | 31 January 2025 | Chinese New Year Holiday |
| Friday | 18 April 2025 | Good Friday |
| Monday | 21 April 2025 | Easter Monday |
| Thursday | 1 May 2025 | Labour Day |
| Monday | 2 June 2025 | Dragon Boat Festival |
| Wednesday | 1 October 2025 | National Day Holiday (Golden Week) |
| Thursday | 2 October 2025 | National Day Holiday (Golden Week) |
| Friday | 3 October 2025 | National Day Holiday (Golden Week) |
| Wednesday | 24 December 2025 | Christmas Eve |
| Thursday | 25 December 2025 | Christmas Day |
| Friday | 26 December 2025 | Boxing Day |
For upcoming events
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