If the China visa in your old passport is still valid, the visa itself is not cancelled. In most cases you can travel with both passports together, and border control will check the visa in the old one.
Some countries require transferring a visa into the new passport. China visas generally do not need transferring — just carry both books. But if the passport details no longer match the visa (for example after a name change), you must reapply.
Note: after renewal your passport number changes, so book flights and hotels with the new number. Before departure, confirm with your airline that "old and new passports together" is accepted — most airlines do.
Got a new passport - is the China visa in the old one still valid? Travellers often ask. The answer depends: usually valid, but with conditions.
The China visa is affixed to an old passport page. As long as it is within validity and the old passport is not clipped or voided, the visa generally remains valid.
A key requirement: when travelling, carry BOTH passports. At Chinese border control, present the new passport together with the old one holding the valid visa.
Why both? The passport number changed; the visa passport number no longer matches the new passport. Officers compare the two to confirm identity.
Some countries clip or punch old passports when issuing new ones. If clipped, the visa validity becomes questionable - confirm in advance.
A safer route: apply to a Chinese embassy or consulate for "visa transfer" - moving the valid visa to the new passport, so only one passport is needed.
Transfer requires: both passports, application form, photo, and a copy of the old visa page. Requirements vary slightly by post.
Transfer is cheaper than a new application but costs a fee and waiting time. If not travelling soon, handle it with the next visa application.
Another case: e-visa or sticker visa. E-visas are bound to the passport number and need updating; sticker visas follow the above.
Reminder: if the old passport was "renewed" (number changed) rather than "reissued" (lost), transfer usually passes; reissuance faces stricter review.
Since 2023 China has visa-free and transit-visa-free policies for some countries; if yours is on the list, no such worry.
Before departure, check three things: both passports at hand, visa within validity, passport valid six months - then you may set off.
Remember the rhyme: new passport, visa unchanged; carry both, travel unimpeded.
One more note: if your visa is multi-year multi-entry, do the transfer soon after renewal, or you will carry two passports every trip - troublesome and easy to lose. Also, Chinese embassies differ in accepting "visa transfer"; call ahead. Core conclusion: the old visa does not automatically die, but you must carry both passports, or transfer it beforehand.
