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   Home > Visa & Passport > CHINESE VISA
General Requirements For Chinese Visa Application
2011/06/30

Visa officers decide on the type, number of entries, validity and duration of stay of the visa to be issued and have the authority to decline a visa application or cancel an issued visa.

For applicants from some specific countries, additional documents other than those listed in each visa categories may be required. Applicants should check the issued visa upon collection and if necessary raise any queries at the same time. If there is no immediate query relating to the issued visa, the applicant is held responsible under any circumstances thereafter.

Damaged passports or the validity less than 6 months are not accepted for the visa application

 

How to apply

Download Visa Application Form

To download a visa application form, just click on "Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China " and "Supplementary Visa Application Form" if needed. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open all files. If you can not type data into the visa application form before printing, just fill in the form by hand.

Please provide accurate, clear and complete information in answer to the questions. If you submit a visa application form that is inaccurate, unclear, or incomplete, your application will not be accepted.

Submit your application

1. You may submit the application to the Consular Section of the Chinese Embassy.

Opening hours:  9:00-11:30am, Mon-Fri (except public holidays).  

Address: Vanha Kelkkamaki 9, Kulosaari,00570, Helsinki. 

Tel: 09 2289 0129 (9:00--11:30, Mon-Fri, except public holidays)

Fax: 09 22890155

Email: consulate_fin@mfa.gov.cn

2. If you cannot come in person, you may entrust someone else or a travel/visa agent to drop off your application at the Consular Section of the Chinese Embassy.

3. No appointment is required.

4. Mailed applications are not acceptable.

Processing Time

1. The regular processing time is 4 working days (e.g. submission on Friday, picking up on next Wednesday).

2. Express service is available for an extra 23 euros, which takes 2-3 working days provided that the applicant will leave Finland for China the next day or the day after. 

3. Same day rush service is available for an additional fee of 33 euros provided that the applicant will leave Finland for China on the day of visa application. Such applications should be presented before 10:00am and may be picked up between 11:00--11:30am on the same day.

Visa fees

1. Please pay by Visa, MasterCard or Visa Electron. Cash or Personal checks are not acceptable.

2. Fee list:

Number of Entry

Finnish Citizens

Citizens of USA

Single Entry

€60

€120

Double Entries

€90

€120

Multiple Entries for 6 Months

€120

€120

Multiple Entries for 12 Months

€180

€120

* Visa fees for some countries may differ from that listed above due to reciprocity, and will be charged accordingly by the Chinese Embassy.

Visa Pick-up

On or after the pick-up date specified in the pickup form (pink colored), applicants can pay and pick up their visas themselves or by entrusted persons, travel agencies with that form.

Do I need to apply for a visa to visit China?

  How to identify if an issued Chinese Visa on my passport is still valid?

  Under what circumstance a visa to China is exempted?

  Which type of Chinese visa is eligible to me?

  Tourist visa (L visa) 

  Business Visa (F visa ) 

  Student Visa (X visa) 

  Work Visa (Z visa) 

  Crew Visa(C visa)

Resident journalist Visa(J-1 visa)

 Visiting journalist Visa(J-2 visa)

 Transit Visa (G visa)

Documentations required for visa application
  Tourist visa (L visa) 

  Business Visa (F visa) 

 Student Visa (X visa) 

 Work Visa (Z visa) 

  Crew Visa(C visa)

  Resident Journalist Visa(J-1 visa)

  Visiting Journalist Visa(J-2 visa)

 Transit Visa (G visa)  

Do I need to apply for a visa to visit China ?

Foreign nationals (including those with Chinese origin) must bear valid visa before entering China (except for those who are eligible for Visa Waiver Program). For Chinese visa obtained in the past, the validity of the visa needs to be checked. If the visa is already expired or the entries are all used up, the visa holder should apply for a new visa.

How to identify if an issued Chinese Visa on my passport is still valid?

Please check carefully if the validity, number of entries and duration of stay on the obtained visa could still meet the need for the trip.

1. Validity (enter before) of a visa is the length of period that the visa is good for, namely from the issuing date to the deadline of entering China for the bearer of the visa. Given the number of entries are sufficient, the bearer is able to enter China at anytime before 12:00am on the expiring date.

A visa becomes void once its period of validity expires regardless of whether its entries are used up or not. The visa holder should apply for a new visa if he or she intends to visit China again.

2. Entries is the number permitted to enter China during the validity of a visa. A visa becomes invalid if there is no more valid number of entries left. To use such a visa will lead to decline of entry.

3. Duration of each stay refers to the longest period of time the bearer of a visa is permitted to stay in China from the date of entry into China on each visit.

Under Chinese law, a foreign national who overstays his or her visa in China is subject to fine and other penalties. If it's necessary to stay in China longer than the duration of stay on the visa, approval must be obtained from a local public security authority above county level 30 days before the duration of stay is running out. The bearer is permitted to stay in China once the application is approved.

Under what circumstance a visa to China is exempted?

Foreign nationals are exempted from applying for a visa to China under any of the following circumstances:

1. Direct transit

Those who are transiting China by international flight is exempted from applying for a visa provided that he or she is remained in the airport not exceeding 24 hours and has valid air ticket to connect flight with confirmed seating.

Foreign nationals are not required to obtain a visa provided he or she transits by Shanghai and stays up to 48 hours.

2. Visiting the Pearl River Delta region

Finnish nationals are exempted from applying for a visa if he or she joins tourist group at Hong Kong and Macao organized by registered travel agencies in Hong Kong and Macao to visit the Pearl River Delta region (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Zhaoqing, Huzhou Municipalities) for tourism and stay up to 6 days.

3. Visiting Hainan Province

Finnish nationals are exempted from applying for a visa if he or she joins international tourist group organized by any of the registered travel agencies in Hainan Province which is approved by China National Tourism Administration and stay up to 15 days.

4. The bearer of Residence Permit

Foreign nationals who visit China for the purposes of study or work or as resident foreign journalists shall apply for a Residence Permit at local public security authorities within 30 days of entry into China.

Within the period of the validity of the Residence Permit, the bearer is entitled to enter and exit China repeatedly without applying for another visa.

Which type of Chinese visa is eligible to me?

According to your purpose of visit, you may apply for one type of the following Chinese Visas:

Tourist Visa (L Visa)

Tourist Visa (L Visa) is issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, other personal affairs, etc.

Finnish citizens may apply for a single entry, double entry or multiple entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) "L" Visa as needed. Only a Chinese-Finnish born in China (Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau included) may apply for a multiple entry "L" Visa valid for 6 or 12 months. A Chinese citizen's spouse or children who is holding Finnish passport may also apply for a multiple entry "L" Visa valid for 6 or 12 months.

Business Visa (F Visa)

Business Visa (F Visa) is issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term studies or an internship for a period of no more than 6 months.

Finnish citizens may apply for a single entry, double entry or multiple entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) "F" Visa as needed.

Student Visa (X Visa)

Student Visa (X Visa) is issued to an alien who comes to China for study, training or intern practice for a period of more than 6 months.

X visa is usually valid for one entry within 3 months and with no duration of stay (that is 000 day of stay).

Holder of X visa should enter China within the validity of the visa. Holder should go through the formalities for a Residence Permit at a local public security authority within 30 days after entry into China. The period of validity of the Residence Permit is its holder's duration of stay in China.

Employment Visa (Z Visa)

Employment Visa (Z Visa) is issued to an alien who comes to China for a post or employment, commercial performance or academic exchanges, and to his/her accompanying family members.

Z visa is usually valid for one entry within 3 months and with no duration of stay(that is 000 day of stay). Holder of Z visa should enter China within the validity of the visa. He or she should go through the formalities for a Residence Permit at a local public security authority within 30 days after entry into China. The period of validity of the residence permit is its holder's duration of stay in China.

Crew (C) visa

Crew (C) visa is issued to crewmembers working on board of international trains, airliners or vessels to China.

Single/double entry visas or 6 months /1 year multiple entry C visas could be issued to crewmembers of Finnish airlines and vessels accordingly.

Resident journalist visa (J-1 visa)

J-1 visa is issued to resident foreign journalists in China and their accompanying spouses and minor children.

J-1 visa is usually valid for one entry within 3 months and 000 duration of stay. J-1 visa holders should enter China within the validity of the visa. He or she should go through formalities for a Residence Permit at local public security authorities within 30 days after entry into China. The validity period of the Residence Permit is the duration of stay of the J-1 visa holder.

Visiting journalists visa (J-2 visa)

J-2 visa is issued to foreign journalists who visit China for temporary news coverage.

Transit Visa (G visa)

Transit Visa (G visa) is issued to a foreign citizen who is to transit through China on his or her way to a third country(or region) and staying at a Chinese airport for more than 24 hours or needs to leave the airport.

G visa is usually valid for 3 months with single or double entry and 7 days duration of stay.

What documentations required for visa application?

Tourist Visa (L Visa)

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least two blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. Copy of round-trip airline ticket, hotel reservation (a signed invitation letter in Chinese or English if visiting friends or relatives in China specifying the applicant's name, position, relationship between the two, duration of the stay, guarantee of leave for the duration of the trip . The invitation has to include the invitee's profession, address, telephone and fax numbers ).

5. First time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old Finnish passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

6. Foreign spouse and children of a Chinese citizen who wants to apply for a Multiple Entry "L" Visa valid for 6 or 12 months are required to provide original and photocopy of relevant Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, extract from population information system, Kinship Certificate or other necessary documents.

7. Non-Finnish citizens who want to apply visa need to provide the original and a photocopy of  his or her permanent residence or work permit with remaining validity of at least half a year. Those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in Finland should provide the original and a photocopy of his or her valid Kela Card in Finland

8. For applicants who are going to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, an entry permit issued by the local Tibetan Tourist Bureau is required beforehand (Fax number of Tibetan Tourist Bureau: 0086-891-6834632; Telephone number: 0086-891-6834313) for visa application.

9. Applicants applying for a special tour to China should provide an Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit issued by the China National Tourism Administration or the tourism administration of related province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government or the General Administration of Sport of China. A special tour includes self-driving, hiking, cycling, horse-riding, hot air balloon, mountaineering or other expeditions.

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documentations might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

Business (F) Visa

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least two blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. Copy of round-trip airline ticket, hotel reservation.

5. Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation from an authorized Chinese Unit, or invitation letters from the host company, meeting or exhibition organizers in China, etc.

6. Applicants who want to study in China for less than six months are required to provide Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202) issued by the Ministry of Education of China and Letter of Admission from a Chinese university/college(copies of each are also needed).

7. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

8. Finnish citizens may apply for a Multiple Entry "F" Visa valid for 6 or 12 months, if they have the Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation with the Multiple Entry permission.

Please notify your inviting company in China to obtain that for you. You may advise the Chinese inviting company to contact with one of the following organizations for details: Municipal Foreign Affair Office, Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Commission, International Trade Promotion Commission, Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau.

Finnish citizens who provide a photocopy of his previous multi-entry " F" visa or copies of two to three single or double entry " F" visas all of which were issued in the last two years and keep a good entry & exit record in China, may also apply for a Multiple Entry "F" Visa valid for 6 or 12 months.

9. Non-Finnish citizens who want to apply visa need to provide the original and a photocopy of  his or her permanent residence or work permit with remaining validity of at least half a year. Those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in Finland should provide the original and a photocopy of his or her valid Kela Card in Finland

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

Student (X) Visa

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least three blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. The originals and photocopies of Letter of Admission from a Chinese University / College & Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202) issued by the Ministry of Education of China.

5. For applicants whose stay in China exceeds 6 months should provide "PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RECORD FOR FOREIGNER" (The copy is also needed)

6. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

7. Non-Finnish citizens who want to apply visa need provide the original and a photocopy of his or her permanent residence or work permit with remaining validity of at least half a year. Those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in Finland should provide the original and a photocopy of his or her valid Kela Card in Finland

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

Employment/Work (Z) Visa

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least three blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation from an authorized Chinese Unit.

5. For applicants whose stay in China exceeds 6 months should provide "PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RECORD FOR FOREIGNER" (The copy is also needed)

6. Any of the following documents:

.The original and a photocopy of the Alien Employment License issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security .

.The original and a photocopy of Foreign Expert's Working Permit issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of China.

. For chief representative or representative of foreign offices resident in China should provide: the original and a photocopy of the Registration Certificate of Foreign Enterprises Permanent Office in China issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the People's Republic of China, or the original and a photocopy of the Certificate of Approval of Foreign Enterprises Permanent Office in China issued by the Ministry of Commerce of People's Republic of China.

. The original and a photocopy of the Letter of Invitation for Foreigners Engaged in Offshore Petroleum Operations in the People's Republic of China.

7. Accompanying family members shall provide proof of kinship, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, extract from population information system etc, instead of document for work permit.

8. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

9. Non-Finnish citizens who want to apply visa need provide the original and a photocopy of his or her permanent residence or work permit with remaining validity of at least half a year. Those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in Finland should provide the original and a photocopy of his or her valid Kela Card in Finland.

10. For those who come to China for commercial performance should provide:. Approval document (also copy) issued by the Ministry of Culture or the Cultural Department of related province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government; . Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the Ministry of Culture or the foreign affairs office of related province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government.

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

Crew (C) Visa

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page: Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least two blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. Formal application letter issued by the airline or shipping company of Finland.

5. The original and a photocopy of the crew ID or seaman ID of the applicant.

6. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

7. Non-Finnish citizens who want to apply visa need provide the original and a photocopy of his or her permanent residence or work permit with remaining validity of at least half a year. Those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in Finland should provide the original and a photocopy of his or her valid Kela Card in Finland

8. For crewmembers of chartered flights, a flight clearance should be obtained from China before submission of visa application.

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

J-1 Visa

J-1 visa applicants should contact the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China or the Press Affairs section(Tel: 09-22890163, Fax: 09-22890168, Email: press@chinemb.fi )of the Chinese Embassy in Finland for preliminary procedures.

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least three blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. A letter from the employer.

5. For applicants whose stay in China exceeds 6 months should provide "PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RECORD FOR FOREIGNER" (The copy is also needed)

6. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

J-2 Visa

J-2 visa applicants should contact the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China or the Press Affairs section(Tel: 09-22890163, Fax: 09-22890168, Email: press@chinemb.fi )of the Chinese Embassy in Finland for preliminary procedures.

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least two blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. A letter from the employer.

5. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

Transit (G) Visa

1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least two blank visa pages in it.

2. Application form: One neatly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.

3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.

4. A valid visa of the country of destination, and a final destination airline ticket.

5. First time applicants whose former nationality was Chinese, shall write down his Chinese name in the application form and submit his original Chinese passport and the photocopy of the information page of the passport; if the name in the new passport is different from that in the old one, official document for name change should be provided; applicant who was formerly Chinese and has acquired a new Finnish passport, if there is a Chinese visa in the old passport, shall submit his old Finnish passport or the photocopy of the Chinese visa.

6. Non-Finnish citizens who want to apply visa need provide the original and a photocopy of his or her permanent residence or work permit with remaining validity of at least half a year. Those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in Finland should provide the original and a photocopy of his or her valid Kela Card in Finland

Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

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