Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities overseas include Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, and the consular departments of the office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (based in Hong Kong and Macao). If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities for an appropriate visa. For further information, please consult the nearest Chinese visa authorities. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type.

1.        Visa types:

The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters F, L, X, C, J-1, J-2, G, and D.

1)        F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.

2)        L Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visiting or other personal affairs.

3)        Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.

4)        X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of six months or above.

5)        C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them.

6)        J-1 Visa: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.

7)        J-2 Visa: Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview mission in China.

8)        G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China.

9)        D Visa: Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.

 

2.        Duration of stay / number of entries

 

Duration of stay of a visa may vary. It is possible to extend the duration of stay of a visa in China when it is going to expire. Visa is always required wherever you enter the Chinese mainland, even from Hong Kong or Macao.

 

3.        Requirements on the validity of your passport when applying for a visa

 

l        There must be at least one blank page in the passport. Pages for endorsements or amendments cannot be used as a visa page.

l        Single or double entry visa requires a passport valid for at least 6 months. (For some occasions the validity varies). For multiple entry visa, a passport should be valid for at least 9 Months. The period of validity of the passport should always be equal or longer than that of the visa.

4.        Accompanying person using the same passport

   The photo of the accompanying person using the same passport should be affixed to the form. The full visa fee will apply.

5.        Visa validity

    A single or double entry visa is usually valid for entry within 3 months from the date of issue. The multi-entry visa is usually valid for 6 months or one year.

6.        Where to apply for a Chinese visa

 

Applicants could come in person or through a third party (e.g. travel agencies) to apply for the Chinese visa. It normally takes 4 working days to process the application. Request of express service could be rejected. Visa is normally not issued on the same day unless the same-day air ticket is presented.

 

7.        Special visa policy

 

Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in their home/residence country. Please contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General located at your home/residence before departure.